How does Santiago connect to the fish and the sea? WHat characteristics does he see in the fish that he reconizes within himself?

Sure, Santiago respects the fact that the fish never gives up. The great fish does remind the old man of himself in his youth. Santiago's mind often wanders to events symbolic of his youth. He wonders if his hero, the great Joe De Maggio, would stay with the Marlin. Santiago thinks about the day, long ago, when he beat the "great negro of Cienfuegos" in an all-night arm-wrestle match. The Marlin becomes Santiago's hero, his brother and himself.