What does the fish symbolize in The Old Man and the Sea?What does the fish represent in The Old Man and the Sea? I wasn't sure exactly. Is it...

Santiago is the Christ-figure and Manolin is his disciple.
 On a symbolic level, the fish is a "true brother," one who
gives life to the fisherman.  Santiago says:

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It is good that we do not have to try to kill the
sun or the moon or the stars.  It is enough to live on the sea and kill our true
brothers.

From a biological
view, Hemingway sees a connection between animals and humans--in terms of the hunt and
in terms of suffering.  Santiago respects the Marlin for putting up such a glorious
battle, and he thanks him for giving his life.  Santiago, however, does not feel the
same about sharks.  He calls them scavengers.

In terms of
meta-fiction, the author, of course, is Santiago and the Marlin is his
novel.  He is trying to get the novel ashore--in tact, preserving it and
his dignity.  The sharks, or the critics, are those who try to undermine the author's
dignity: they ravage the book out of spite.