significance of the old man and the fish

Santiago is a man in search or redemption. He is hardly the man he used to be in his youth. His body is slowly failing him and he has not caught a fish in quite some time. The other fishermen snicker at him but Santiago is adamant he will catch one more great fish. The fish Santiago catches is a great Marlin. The showdown between man and fish is more of a communion than a fight for Santiago. He regards the fish with greater respect than he does people. The fish becomes his brother; the fish represents Santiago in his youth. In Killing the fish Santiago finds strength and even greater love for the great Marlin.