The Old Man And The Sea Characters

Apart from the villagers, who play no part in the drama of the novella, and a couple of tourists, who misidentify the marlin’s skeleton as that of a shark, there are only two characters.

Here are the key characters in The Old Man and the Sea

Santiago

The old man. He is the main protagonist and we follow his story of heroism, suffering, endurance, and triumph, as he goes far out into the Gulf Stream, catches a giant marlin, and returns with its skeleton strapped to his skiff after sharks have devoured all the flesh.

Manolin

A boy. He is Santiago’s apprentice fisherman who does not go out with him on this expedition. He is also the old man’s friend. He’s caring and attentive. He understands Santiago’s problem about not having caught a fish for so long, and when the old man returns he is in deep sympathy with what the old man has gone through, and helps to restore the aching, exhausted old man.

That’s our guide to The Old Man And The Sea characters. Make sense? Any questions? Let us know in the comments section below!