The Old Man and the Sea The old man, or Santiago Quotes

"If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy," he said aloud. "But since I am not crazy, I do not care. And the rich have radios to talk to them in their boats and to bring them the baseball." (2.53)

The old man envies the company that others have, or that others have created for themselves artificially.

"I wish I had the boy" the old man said aloud. "I’m being towed by a fish and I’m the towing bitt. I could make the line fast. But then he could break it. I must hold him all I can and give him line when he must have it. Thank God he is travelling and not going down." (2.77)

The old man at first wants the boy to help him fight the fish.

Then he said aloud, "I wish I had the boy. To help me and to see this." (2.87)

The old man later desires the boy’s presence because he wants someone to share the experience with.