Soon, Santiago encounters the Marlin he has been seeking. The deep line goes taut and he knows something large has been hooked. He expects the fish to tire in an hour or two. If it were a normal sized Marlin, he knows it would. It is not a normal fish.

The fish is to strong and too heavy for Santiago to pull. Instead, the fish pulls the boat, farther and farther out to sea.

As they travel, the Old Man remembers fishing in the past. This is experience that he will draw on for this catch. The memories also tell us about the type of man that he is - in particular, his relationship with the sea and the creatures within. He respects the great fish he has caught and feels a similar affinity for the fish he now battles.

But the battle is not only with the fish, but also with his own aging body. His hand cramps and his back aches. He knows that either he or the fish will not make it through this ordeal.