The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 14

''Agua mala,'' the man said. ''You whore.''

• Agua mala: Spanish for "bad water," often referring to jellyfish or similar stinging marine creatures [``ˈɑgwə ˈmɑlə]
• the man: referring to a specific male individual [ðə mæn]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that the man spoke [sɛd]
• You whore: a derogatory term used as an insult [``ju hɔr]

From where he swung lightly against his oars he looked down into the water and saw the tiny fish that were coloured like the trailing filaments and swam between them and under the small shade the bubble made as it drifted.

• From where: indicating the location or position from which an action originates [frəm wɛr]
• he: referring to a male individual mentioned previously [hi]
• swung: past tense of 'swing', indicating a gentle back-and-forth movement [swəŋ]
• lightly: in a gentle or delicate manner [ˈlaɪtli]
• against: in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]
• his oars: referring to the paddles used to propel a boat, belonging to the man [hɪz ɔrz]
• he: referring to the same male individual [hi]
• looked down: directed his gaze downwards [lʊkt daʊn]
• into: towards the inside of [ˈɪntu]
• the water: the body of water, likely the sea or ocean [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• saw: past tense of 'see', indicating that he visually perceived something [sɔ]
• the tiny fish: referring to very small fish [ðə ˈtaɪni fɪʃ]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the tiny fish [ðət]
• were coloured: having a specific color or appearance [wər ˈkələrd]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the trailing filaments: referring to long, thin strands hanging or extending behind something, likely the jellyfish [ðə ˈtreɪlɪŋ ˈfɪləmənts]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• swam: past tense of 'swim', indicating movement through water [swæm]
• between: in the space separating two things [bɪtˈwin]
• them: referring to the trailing filaments [ðɛm]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• under: beneath or below [ˈəndər]
• the small shade: a slightly dark area caused by something blocking light [ðə smɔl ʃeɪd]
• the bubble: referring to a bubble-like structure, possibly part of the jellyfish [ðə ˈbəbəl]
• made: past tense of 'make', indicating the bubble created the shade [meɪd]
• as: while or during the time that [ɛz]
• it: referring to the bubble [ɪt]
• drifted: past tense of 'drift', indicating a slow, gradual movement [ˈdrɪftɪd]

They were immune to its poison.

• They: referring to the tiny fish [ðeɪ]
• were immune: not affected by or resistant to [wər ˌɪmˈjun]
• to: indicating the object of the immunity [tɪ]
• its poison: the toxic substance produced by the jellyfish [ɪts ˈpɔɪzən]

But men were not and when same of the filaments would catch on a line and rest there slimy and purple while the old man was working a fish, he would have welts and sores on his arms and hands of the sort that poison ivy or poison oak can give.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• men: referring to human beings [mɛn]
• were not: not immune to the poison [wər nɑt]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• when: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• same: some of [seɪm]
• of: part of [əv]
• the filaments: referring to the trailing filaments of the jellyfish [ðə ˈfɪləmənts]
• would catch: to become entangled or stuck [wʊd kæʧ]
• on: upon or attached to [ɔn]
• a line: referring to a fishing line [ə laɪn]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• rest: to remain or lie in a particular place [rɛst]
• there: in that place [ðɛr]
• slimy: covered in a slippery or viscous substance [sˈlaɪmi]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• purple: a color [ˈpərpəl]
• while: during the time that [waɪl]
• the old man: referring to an elderly male individual, likely the fisherman [ðə oʊld mæn]
• was working: actively engaged in [wɑz ˈwərkɪŋ]
• a fish: attempting to catch a fish [ə fɪʃ]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• would have: would experience or possess [wʊd hæv]
• welts: raised, swollen marks on the skin [welts]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• sores: painful or inflamed areas on the skin [sɔrz]
• on: located on [ɔn]
• his arms: referring to the upper limbs of the old man [hɪz ɑrmz]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• hands: referring to the lower part of the old man's arms [hænz]
• of the sort: similar to the type [əv ðə sɔrt]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the sort of welts and sores [ðət]
• poison ivy: a plant that causes a skin rash upon contact [ˈpɔɪzən ˈaɪvi]
• or: used to introduce an alternative [ər]
• poison oak: a plant similar to poison ivy that also causes a skin rash [ˈpɔɪzən oʊk]
• can give: can cause or produce [kən gɪv]

But these poisonings from the agua mala came quickly and struck like a whiplash.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• these poisonings: instances of being poisoned [ðiz ˈpɔɪzənɪŋz]
• from: originating from [frəm]
• the agua mala: referring to the jellyfish or stinging marine creature [ðə ˈɑgwə ˈmɑlə]
• came: past tense of 'come', indicating arrival or occurrence [keɪm]
• quickly: in a fast or rapid manner [kˈwɪkli]
• and: conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]
• struck: past tense of 'strike', indicating a sudden impact or effect [strək]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• a whiplash: a sudden, forceful snapping motion [ə ˈwɪˌplæʃ]

The iridescent bubbles were beautiful.

• The: definite article, referring to specific bubbles [ðə]
• iridescent: displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow [ˌɪrəˈdɛsənt]
• bubbles: thin spheres of liquid enclosing air or gas [ˈbəbəlz]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• beautiful: pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically [ˈbjutəfəl]

But they were the falsest thing in the sea and the old man loved to see the big sea turtles eating them.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• they: pronoun referring to the iridescent bubbles [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• the falsest thing: the most deceptive or unreal object [ðə falsest θɪŋ]
• in the sea: located within the ocean [ɪn ðə si]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• loved: felt deep affection or enjoyment for [ləvd]
• to see: to observe or witness [tɪ si]
• the big sea turtles: large marine reptiles [ðə bɪg si ˈtərtəlz]
• eating: consuming as food [ˈitɪŋ]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]

The turtles saw them, approached them from the front, then shut their eyes so they were completely carapaced and ate them filaments and all.

• The: definite article, referring to specific turtles [ðə]
• turtles: marine reptiles with a shell [ˈtərtəlz]
• saw: perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• approached: came near or nearer to [əˈproʊʧt]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• from the front: from the forward-facing side [frəm ðə frənt]
• then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• shut: closed tightly [ʃət]
• their eyes: the organs of sight [ðɛr aɪz]
• so: with the result that [soʊ]
• they: referring to the turtles [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• completely: entirely; fully [kəmˈplitli]
• carapaced: covered with a protective shell [carapaced]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• ate: past tense of the verb 'to eat' [eɪt]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• filaments: thin, threadlike structures [ˈfɪləmənts]
• and: conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• all: everything [ɔl]

The old man loved to see the turtles eat them and he loved to walk on them on the beach after a storm and hear them pop when he stepped on them with the horny soles of his feet.

• The old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• loved: felt deep affection or enjoyment for [ləvd]
• to see: to observe or witness [tɪ si]
• the turtles: marine reptiles with a shell [ðə ˈtərtəlz]
• eat: consume as food [it]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• loved: felt deep affection or enjoyment for [ləvd]
• to walk: to move on foot [tɪ wɔk]
• on: upon; on top of [ɔn]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• on the beach: the sandy area along the shoreline [ɔn ðə biʧ]
• after: following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]
• a storm: a violent disturbance of the atmosphere [ə stɔrm]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• hear: perceive with the ears [hir]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• pop: make a short, sharp explosive sound [pɑp]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• stepped: placed his foot [stɛpt]
• on: upon; on top of [ɔn]
• them: referring to the bubbles [ðɛm]
• with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• the horny soles: the tough, hardened undersides [ðə ˈhɔrni soʊlz]
• of his feet: of his pedal extremities [əv hɪz fit]

He loved green turtles and hawk-bills with their elegance and speed and their great value and he had a friendly contempt for the huge, stupid loggerheads, yellow in their armour-plating, strange in their love-making, and happily eating the Portuguese men-of-war with their eyes shut.

• He: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• loved: felt deep affection or enjoyment for [ləvd]
• green turtles: a species of sea turtle [grin ˈtərtəlz]
• and: conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• hawk-bills: a species of sea turtle with a hooked beak [hawk-bills]
• with: possessing or characterized by [wɪθ]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• elegance: graceful and stylish appearance or manner [ˈɛləgəns]
• and: conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• speed: the rate at which someone or something moves or operates [spid]
• and: conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• great value: high worth or importance [greɪt ˈvælju]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• had: past tense of the verb 'to have' [hæd]
• a friendly contempt: a feeling of disdain mixed with affection [ə ˈfrɛndli kənˈtɛmpt]
• for: directed towards [fər]
• the huge, stupid loggerheads: large, slow-moving sea turtles [ðə juʤ ˈstupɪd ˈlɑgərˌhɛdz]
• yellow: of a yellow color [ˈjɛloʊ]
• in: enclosed or surrounded by [ɪn]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• armour-plating: protective covering [armour-plating]
• strange: unusual or surprising [streɪnʤ]
• in: during or within [ɪn]
• their: belonging to them [ðɛr]
• love-making: the act of sexual intercourse [love-making]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• happily: in a joyful or contented manner [ˈhæpəli]
• eating: consuming as food [ˈitɪŋ]
• the Portuguese men-of-war: a type of jellyfish-like marine animal [ðə ˈpɔrʧəˌgiz men-of-war]
• with: using or having [wɪθ]
• their eyes: the organs of sight [ðɛr aɪz]
• shut: closed [ʃət]

He had no mysticism about turtles although he had gone in turtle boats for many years.

• He: refers to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• no: indicates the absence of something [noʊ]
• mysticism: belief in or experience of a reality beyond normal human understanding [ˈmɪstɪˌsɪzəm]
• about: concerning or regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• turtles: aquatic reptiles with a shell [ˈtərtəlz]
• although: despite the fact that; even though [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
• he: referring to the same male person as 'He' at the beginning of the sentence [hi]
• had gone: past perfect tense of 'go', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd gɔn]
• in: indicating involvement or participation [ɪn]
• turtle boats: boats specifically designed or used for catching turtles [ˈtərtəl boʊts]
• for: indicating a duration of time [fər]
• many years: a long period of time consisting of multiple years [ˈmɛni jɪrz]

He was sorry for them all, even the great trunk backs that were as long as the skiff and weighed a ton.

• He: referring to the same male person [hi]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• sorry: feeling regret or sadness [ˈsɑri]
• for: expressing the reason for feeling sorry [fər]
• them: referring to the turtles [ðɛm]
• all: every one of them [ɔl]
• even: used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• the great trunk backs: a specific type of large turtle, likely leatherback turtles [ðə greɪt trəŋk bæks]
• that: relative pronoun referring to 'the great trunk backs' [ðət]
• were: past tense of 'be', describing a characteristic [wər]
• as long as: used to compare the length of two things [ɛz lɔŋ ɛz]
• the skiff: a small, light boat [ðə skɪf]
• and: connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• weighed: past tense of 'weigh', indicating the mass of something [weɪd]
• a ton: a unit of weight, equal to 2000 pounds [ə tən]

Most people are heartless about turtles because a turtle's heart will beat for hours after he has been cut up and butchered.

• Most people: the majority of individuals [moʊst ˈpipəl]
• are: present tense of 'be' [ər]
• heartless: lacking compassion or empathy [ˈhɑrtləs]
• about: concerning or regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• turtles: referring to turtles in general [ˈtərtəlz]
• because: explaining the reason for the previous statement [bɪˈkəz]
• a turtle's: possessive form of 'turtle', indicating something belonging to a turtle [ə ˈtərtəlz]
• heart: the organ that pumps blood [hɑrt]
• will beat: future tense of 'beat', indicating the heart will continue to beat [wɪl bit]
• for: indicating a duration of time [fər]
• hours: a unit of time, equal to 60 minutes [aʊərz]
• after: following a specific event [ˈæftər]
• he: referring to the turtle [hi]
• has been cut up: past perfect passive voice, indicating the turtle has been cut into pieces [həz bɪn kət əp]
• and: connecting two similar actions [ənd]
• butchered: slaughtered and prepared for consumption [ˈbʊʧərd]

But the old man thought, I have such a heart too and my feet and hands are like theirs.

• But: introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• the old man: referring to an elderly male person [ðə oʊld mæn]
• thought: past tense of 'think', indicating an internal thought [θɔt]
• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have: present tense of 'have', indicating possession [hæv]
• such: of a similar kind or degree [səʧ]
• a heart: referring to a heart with similar qualities [ə hɑrt]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• and: connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• my: first-person singular possessive pronoun, indicating something belonging to the speaker [maɪ]
• feet: plural of 'foot', the lower part of the leg [fit]
• and: connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• hands: plural of 'hand', the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænz]
• are: present tense of 'be' [ər]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• theirs: possessive pronoun, referring to the turtles [ðɛrz]

He ate the white eggs to give himself strength.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• ate: past tense of 'eat', indicating the consumption of food [eɪt]
• the white eggs: referring to turtle eggs, specifically the white ones [ðə waɪt ɛgz]
• to: indicating purpose [tɪ]
• give: to provide or supply [gɪv]
• himself: reflexive pronoun, referring back to 'He' [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• strength: physical power or energy [strɛŋθ]

He ate them all through May to be strong in September and October for the truly big fish.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• ate: past tense of 'eat' [eɪt]
• them: referring to the white eggs [ðɛm]
• all: the entire quantity [ɔl]
• through: during a period of time [θru]
• May: the fifth month of the year [meɪ]
• to: indicating purpose [tɪ]
• be: to exist or become [bi]
• strong: having physical power or energy [strɔŋ]
• in: during a period of time [ɪn]
• September: the ninth month of the year [sɛpˈtɛmbər]
• and: connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• October: the tenth month of the year [ɑkˈtoʊbər]
• for: in preparation for [fər]
• the truly big fish: referring to large fish that are highly desirable to catch [ðə ˈtruli bɪg fɪʃ]