The Old Man and the Sea Blog 12

Friendship is another important theme addressed in The Old Man and the Sea.  Although much of the novel only involves the old man and his voyage at sea, he and Manolin share a deep bond of friendship with each other.  The boy especially loves Santiago and demonstrates this by little acts of kindness.  “Where did you wash? the boy thought. The village water supply was two streets down the road. I must have water here for him, the boy thought, and soap and a good towel. Why am I so thoughtless? I must get him another shirt and a jacket for the winter and some sort of shoes and another blanket.” (Hemingway 21).  Manolin is always looking for ways to serve Santiago, and many times the old man does not realize just how much he does for him.  Their relationship started back when Manolin was just a little boy.  The old man taught him to fish and their friendship has continued since then.  The boy’s father will no longer let Manolin go with Santiago, but he still spends his free time with him.  Santiago also enjoys the boy’s company.  "’I wish I had the boy’ the old man said aloud. ‘I’m being towed by a fish and I’m the towing bitt. I could make the line fast. But then he could break it. I must hold him all I can and give him line when he must have it. Thank God he is travelling and not going down.’" (Hemingway 45).  The old man’s love of the boy is based on companionship.  He gets lonely when he is by himself and usually starts talking to either himself or animals.  It is understandable that Santiago wishes he has a partner in his voyage to sea.  At times when he is especially down, he uses Manolin as motivation to keep on fighting.  Friendship is a very strong thing and there are few forces in the world that can topple it. 

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.