The main character is likely someone who is involved in water - based activities. It could be a fisherman or a sailor. There may be other characters around him, such as his crewmates if he is on a boat. His family members might also be important characters, especially if they have an influence on his attitude towards water and his work.
The themes include perseverance and the struggle for self - discovery. The story may show how the character endures hardships related to water, perhaps in a job or some kind of adventure. Through these experiences, they start to understand themselves better. Also, the concept of man vs. nature is a big part of it, with water being the force of nature that the man has to deal with.
I'm not entirely sure without reading the story in full, but likely there is a young boy as a main character. He might be the one who has to face challenges related to water.
One main theme could be the power of nature. Water is a powerful element in the story, representing both a force to be reckoned with and a source of life. Another theme might be coming - of - age. The protagonist may face challenges related to water that help him grow and mature.
There's no specific information given about who the man in the water is in the general 'man in the water story'. He could be anyone. He might be a traveler who met with misfortune while crossing a body of water, or perhaps a local who was trying to help during a flood. It all depends on the context of the particular story.
It might also be related to a specific cultural or fictional context. For example, in some myths or stories, water is a powerful and mysterious force that has a continuous presence and influence. It could be a reference to a story where water plays a crucial and recurring role, like in tales of mermaids or underwater kingdoms, where the adventures and events related to water seem to have no end.