The story uses a third-person omniscient narrator, but often employs a journalistic style known as **third-person objective** (Hemingway's "iceberg theory"). The narrator mostly reports what can be seen and heard, forcing the reader to infer Santiago’s thoughts from his actions and dialogue. However, the narrator selectively reveals Santiago's inner life to confirm his **deep spiritual connection** to the marlin.
- Santiago (The Old Man): Represents the **code hero**—facing struggle with skill, dignity, and resilience. His victory is in the quality of the struggle.
- Manolin (The Boy): Symbolizes **loyalty, unconditional love, and hope**. He is the apprentice who will carry Santiago's wisdom forward.
- The Marlin: The **worthy adversary and spiritual equal**. It is the ultimate test and represents the majesty of nature's power.
- The Village: Represents human society, **judgment** (calling him *salao*), and the basic human connection (Manolin).
- The Open Ocean: The vast, isolated arena of the epic struggle. It symbolizes **nature's unforgiving power** and is where Santiago achieves the purest form of existence.
The novella uses core symbols to add philosophical weight:
The Marlin: The perfect ideal, the pinnacle of the natural world, and noble opposition.
Imagery: Silver flanks, immense size, tireless power.
The Sharks: The destructive forces of the world that destroy beauty and achievement.
Imagery: Savage, gray, mindless aggression, tearing flesh.
The Lions: Symbolize lost youth, unvanquished pride, and purity.
Imagery: Golden, youthful, and playful animals on a beach.
The Skeleton: The ultimate triumph of the spiritual over the material. The remains testify to the reality of the struggle.
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