Santiago acts as a father figure to Manolin, even though he does in fact have a fraternal parent at home. .
Yet as Manolin learns from Santiago, Santiago's gain is even greater. He is cared for and educated by his adolescence companion. Manolin is youthful, and presents his view to his old friend, bestowing old eyes on new subjects. He also concretes basic values of loyalty and compassion. Santiago views Manolin as a helping hand on the water that he truly values. In fact, the name "Manolin" roughly translates to "little hand" in Spanish, and this novella is set at the Gulf of Mexico off Cuba, which is a Spanish speaking country. When Santiago's hands cramp while he is holding the fishing rod he thinks about Manolin and how he could be helpful in this situation.
This relationship could be seen as unusual because a teenager is usually the one in need of care rather than the one offering his support and help to an elderly man. Manolin cares for Santiago every night and makes sure that he has food and is ready for the next day of fishing. He checks that the man can rest soundly and has blankets at his bed. His devotion to Santiago is again evident towards the books conclusion when he finds Santiago in his home after being gone for days and is brought to tears, sympathizing for the old man. .
Hemingway is able to convey both the positive and negative aspects of the character Manolin in The Old Man and the Sea. While Manolin does have a great and very deep respect for Santiago, he opts to go against the wishes of his father. "What will your family say," questioned Santiago when Manolin voices that he will fish with Santiago. "I do not care. I caught two yesterday. But we will fish together for I still have much to learn." His devotion to his friend and mentor is more than that towards his father, an unusual trait for a literary character to portray when he is playing the role of a good-natured youth.
