When Santiago catches the marlin, he slowly bonds with the fish. After spending a lot of time with the fish and both of them struggling, he finally admits his feelings to the fish “I love you and respect you very much.”(Page 44) When Santiago said this, he realized his true feelings for the fish he captured. In the tiny amount of time they spent together, they both bonded over struggling, and Santiago made a connection with the marlin. This new bond between them proves that bonding over a shared experience is a great way to make a connection.

   Manolin is a Cuban boy who has fished with Santiago ever since he was a child. Now, he takes care of Santiago and looks up to him as a father. “The boy loved him.” Manolin is Santiago’s only human friend which makes a big connection between them:

It made the boy sad to see the old man come in each day with his skiff empty and he always went down to help him carry either the coiled lines or the gaff and harpoon and the sail that was furled around the mast. 

When Santiago didn’t catch a fish for 84 days, Manolin wished Santiago the best because he loved him. It breaks his heart to see Santiago not catch a fish. It makes his parents think Santiago is salao, which is the worst form of unlucky. Manolin grew up knowing Santiago and hopes he will have the luck to catch a fish soon and hopes he has “faith”.

    Manolin grew up with Santiago when he was a kid. One of the things they loved to do together is fishing. “The old man had taught the boy to fish.” As they age and grow up they talk about their moments when they first met each other and how “I will remember” our memories. Manolin says to Santiago: 

   Remember everything from when we first went together.  The old man looked at him with his “sun-burned, confident, loving eyes.

This scene is important because they are talking about the moment where they made the first connection with each other. Now, they both understand each other remarkably well and have bonded over the many hours they spent together and in the end they hope to“ fish together again”.

    When Santiago comes back in poor condition from his trip —Manolin takes care of him. “Get well too," the boy said. “Lie down, old man, and I will bring you your clean shirt. And something to eat.”Manolin and Santiago bonded over fishing and when Santiago came back in poor condition Manolin took care of him by getting him food and helping him out. It shows he “did not leave” him and the true caring side of friendship.

    Santiago shows us not only how important connections are, but how we utilize them to our advantage in life.