Analysis of Manolin

The boy has a real name- it is Manolin. He is only referred to by name in the dialogue, throughout the text of the novel he is simply known as 'the boy'. The boy shares a bond with the old man (Santiago) because the old man taught the boy how to fish. The boy is the old man's only true human companion, he is the old man's only friend in life.

Manolin is probably the only person in the novel who actually believes in the old man. He knows how good the old man once was in his youth, and thinks that skill sticks with you despite how old you might get. The boy respects the old man and even looks up to him in some aspects. And the old man and the boy both enjoy each other's company. They like talking together and reading the newspaper and eating breakfast and having coffee and fishing, and those little things are all their common bonds.

Even though the old man is obviously older than the boy, the boy still takes care of the old man. He gives the man companionship when he is lonely and food when he is weak, and support when he is defeated. And the boy actually does care about the old man- he searches for him when the old man is out to sea trying to catch the marlin and he worries for the old man's safety when he is gone, out to sea all by himself.

Manolin is a very caring character. He is still young, but has responsibilities in life and handles them well for his age. And he is nurturing as well, especially when the old man comes back after being defeated and the boy wants nothing more than to take care of him. The old man was a sort of role model for the boy, and he does not like to see the old man in any kind of pain- physical, mental, or emotional.