in the novel the old man and the sea what does the fish symbolize?

Readers may attribute various meanings to the great fish
Santiago catches and then looses in The Old Man and the
Sea.

The fish could be considered a symbol of
eternal optimism, the human spirit triumphing over age and declining abilities. Even
after a long stretch of bad fishing, Santiago was still hopeful when he departed. He was
confident of his skill as a fisherman and didn't hesitate to sail far from land and the
usual fishing areas to seek a change in his luck.

The fish
could also symbolize the challenges and hardships in life. The marathon struggle between
fish and fisherman and the loosing battle to protect the captured fish from the sharks
called into play every bit of Santiago's experience and skill and knowledge of the sea
and its ways. But even when he gave his all, Santiago did not succeed in bringing the
large fish to shore.

In another sense, the fish symbolizes
everything Santiago values in the world. He considers the fish to be both friend and
foe, something to be caught and a separate and very special being to be loved and
respected.

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Then he was sorry for the great fish that had
nothing to eat and his determination to kill him never relaxed in his sorrow for him.
How many people will he feed, he thought. But are they worthy to eat him? No, of course
not. There is no one worthy of eating him from the manner of his behaviour and his great
dignity.