In Ernest Hemingway's (5) The Old Man and the Sea, the two central characters are the elderly fisherman named Santiago and the young boy who is his friend and protégé. The key symbols that Hemingway employs to move the story forward are friendship, faith, and bravery. Essentially, this is the story of how a frail and impoverished old man manages to catch the greatest fish of all because he believes in himself and enjoys the support of the young boy named Manolin. The capture of the great fish is the climax of the old man's life and in the context of that life is fitting. This achievement is possible because he is gifted with Manolin's friendship, is brave, and never loses faith in his ability to succeed.
Friendship is the first symbol that is apparent in the book. Manolin learned to fish with Santiago and was forced by his father to join a more successful fishing group. As Santiago says, "I know you did not leave me because you doubted" (Hemingway, 6). It is equally clear that the friendship between these two characters is something of great importance because the young boy takes care of the older man, who often cannot feed himself. Mandolin states, "you'll not fish without eating while I'm alive" (Hemingway, 7). This friendship is further affirmed by the fact that the young boy is desperately needed in the battle between Santiago and the big fish. Santiago says, "I wish I had the boy but you haven't got the boy he thought. You have only yourself" (Hemingway, 18). The boy is with Santiago in spirit and it is this that makes it possible for him to continue his battle against the fish.
Faith is an important symbol in this novel, as well. On the day that the old man will encounter the big fish he tells Manolin "I feel confident today" (Hemingway, 10). In response, the young boy says "so do I" which affirms his own confidence in the ability of the old man to catch the big fish once more (Hemingway, 10). Faith...