The Old Man and the Sea - Character Analysis (Manolin)

One minor character in The Old Man and the Sea is Manolin, a young boy who formally plays the part of Santiago’s apprentice. Because of the old man’s bad luck, Manolin is forced to find another fisherman to work with to learn the trade. Although the young boy is only present in the beginning and the end of the novel (not counting the old man’s countless reference to the young boy while out at sea), he plays a vital role in developing the mood of the plot.

Manolin is a very devoted individual, much like the old man. He aids Santiago in as many ways as he can. Even though he is not allowed to fish with the old man, he still buys bait for Santiago and helps him prepare his boat for his journey in the Gulf. “Keep the blanket around you,’ the boy said. ‘You’ll not fish without eating while I’m alive,’” (Hemmingway 19). This statement from Manolin reveals to readers the amount of love he has for the old man. I find the young boy’s dedication and love to be very captivating. Most young children would want to be an apprentice to somebody who can prove they know their trade well and in this case, be able to catch an abundance of fish. Instead, Manolin told the old man that, “It was papa made me leave. I am a boy and I must obey him,” (Hemingway 10). No matter how much bad luck the old man seems to have, the young boy knows Santiago is a great fisherman. His kind words are abundant even though is presence is limited. “’Que va,’ the boy said. ‘There are many good fishermen and some great ones. But there is only you,’” (Hemmingway 23). The high regard Manolin has for the old man allows readers to see the loving and caring connection the two have.

In my opinion, I believe Manolin is a representation of the old man as a young boy. Here we have Manolin, a young boy who loves fishing, is wise in sneaking to see Santiago, and dedicated to caring for the old man. Santiago is an old man who has a passion for fishing, wisdom of the trade, and is dedicated to what he loves to do best. The two characters reflect one another in age. Manolin is the young version of Santiago, and Santiago is the old version of Manolin. Together the two characters divulge a bond that not even disappointment and failure could break.

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 2003. Print.