Marlin symbolized strength and durability and putting up such struggle • Marlin represents both the perseveration of man´s social status and his incessant life powers • Santiago considered Marlin’s power equal to him and called him brother • The sharks run parallel to the fisherman in the novel who judge Santiago harshly • Marlin also represent the “MIRROR IMAGE” of Old man
The Lions • Lions are the symbol of youth, Freedom and Strength • The novella begins with the dream of Santiago whose dream of the lion on the beach • lion represent a hunter that is wild, noble and manly, the King of that particular environment • The lions are a symbol from Santiago’s childhood, he remembers seeing them on the beach in Africa when he sailed there in his youth • The lions symbolize Santiago's lost youth as well as his pride