Santiago and the Marlin: Brotherhood

Santiago's emotional identification with the great fish, seeing it as a brother and equal, despite the necessity of killing it.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Sight

The First Sight Awe and Respect When the marlin jumps, Santiago sees its size and beauty. He is amazed. He says, "He is two feet longer than the skiff." He feels a bond with this magnificent creature. The Fish's Behavior The marlin does not panic; it fights with dignity. Santiago respects that. He thinks, "I wonder if he has any plans or if he is just as desperate as I am?" This emotional connection is the heart of the story.

The Shared Suffering

The Shared Suffering Pity for the Fish Santiago pities the fish because it has nothing to eat. He feels its pain. He says, "I love you and respect you very much. But I will kill you dead before this day ends." The Brother's Fate He thinks of the fish as his brother. They are connected by the line. He says, "Now we are joined together." This emotional bond makes the killing a tragedy. He wishes he could feed the fish, but he must kill it to live.

The Death of the Brother

The Death of the Brother The Final Act Santiago drives the harpoon into the fish's heart. He feels the fish's death. He says, "I felt his heart." He is sorry. He has killed his brother. The Aftermath He lashes the fish to the skiff, but it is a corpse. He does not celebrate. He feels a sense of loss. The emotional bond survives the killing. This is the most poignant moment of the story.

the day after hooking

during the battle

the killing