Two more shark attacks take chunks out of the Marlin. Santiago loses his knife and is left with a club. As he sails into the night, what does he say to the Marlin? What can you infer about Santiago’s feelings? Who has defeated him?

Santiago apologizes to the Marlin. Santiago apologizes to the fish for the mutilation he has suffered. He admits, "I shouldn't have gone out so far, fish....Neither for you nor for me. I am sorry, fish" Santiago feels the Marlin did not deserve such a fate. He felt entrusted by the glorious fish and feels that he failed him. The sharks had defeated him.