The relationship between the old man and the boy is introduced early in the story. They are unlikely companions; one is old and the other young, yet they share an insuperable amount of respect and loyalty for each other. Santiago does not treat Manolin as a young boy but rather as an equal. Age is not a factor in their relationship. Manolin does not even act as a young boy; he is mature and sensitive to Santiago’s feelings. He even offers to go against his parent’s wishes and accompany Santiago on his fishing trips.
The boy loves the Old Man and always looks after him when he returns after the journey at sea Manolin rushes around for him and looks after him. On Page 98 he says “I will have everything in order.” One of the reasons that the young boy is so infatuated with the Old Man is the fact that he is old and wise and has much to teach the boy. When Santiago returns from his trip he is frail and weak but the boy stays positive and on page 97 say “Now we fish together again.”
The new young fishermen call the sea “el mar,” which is masculine is in deep contrast with the way that he calls the sea “la mar which is what some people call her in Spanish when they love her” it says on page 19. This suggests that he sees it as a source of both good and evil and that he respects it. He says that the sea’s mood is affected by the moon and can be both wild and wicked. This is a weak personification which refers to the female menstrual cycle.
The Old Man is very lonely the whole village supports him, they feed him and respect him. No one steals from him but with age he has lost his wife and friends and has become more dependants on the sea this is why he talks to the animals and respects them. This attribute is one which the boy doesn’t show and therefore I think one that is gained with age.
Due to his age he no longer worries about humility. On page 7 it says “he was too simple to wonder when he attained humility.” This informs us that because he is so old he is not bothered about reputation and has achieved personal pride not the false pride of what people think about you. His calm attitude can be compared to Manolins. The young boy, Manolin is always worried, he worries about everything. When Santiago’s hands are cramped and bleeding Manolin panics and is terribly worried about the Old Man but he is calm and not too bothered.
With old age the Old Man has conquered many challenges and learnt from his life. The boy who is young is eager to learn and do his best. Maybe this is because of his cultural background in which he is not spoilt and has true values or because he admirers Santiago so much but he has a lot that he can be taught. On page 98 the boy says “you must get well fast for there is much that I can learn and you can teach me everything.” This quote enforces how eager the boy is and how the Old Man has a lot to instruct the boy about.
Santiago is aware that not everything about old age is attractive to youth. For example, he keeps from Manolin the knowledge that he doesn't care very much about washing or eating on a regular basis. Santiago is also very aware of the disadvantages of old age. Although he retains much of his youthful strength, for example, he knows that at his age he is no longer able to fight off the sharks that attack his fish. Yet in the end, Santiago is still able to plan his next fishing expedition and to dream again of the lions who perhaps represent to him the strength and the freedom of youth
Many people believe that when people get old they become useless. However, since I read The Old Man and the Sea, I realized something else about the characteristics of old people. Santiago's age does not mean anything to him. He believes that he can do anything he wants. But not everyone is aware of this fact and his old age contrasts with the youth of Manolin to make them a great partnership. This is why Santiago misses the boy when he is out fishing alone and why he depends so much on the boy for food just like the boy depends on Santiago for teaching.
