92. How could Santiago and the marlin have fought the shark in brotherhood?

Okay, let us start by saying the Marlin is dead. Your question works on a metaphorical level. Santiago has his own mysticism about the sea. Some fish are his brothers, others are not. The great Marlin was not only a worthy foe, the old man felt a kinship with it; Santiago felt a brotherhood. While Santiago fights the Marlin, he feels heroic. He projects all his heroism, pity, compassion....onto the Marlin. So when the sharks come to eat his fish, they also come to eat his brother, "Fish that you are. I am sorry that I went too far out. I am sorry that I ruined us both. But we have killed many sharks, you and I..."