The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 17

I could just drift, he thought, and sleep and put a bight of line around my toe to wake me. But today is eighty-five days and I should fish the day well.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• could: used to indicate possibility or potential [kʊd]
• just: exactly or precisely [ʤɪst]
• drift: to be carried slowly by a current of air or water [drɪft]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', expressing a mental process or opinion [θɔt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• sleep: a condition of rest for the body and mind [slip]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• put: move to or place in a particular position [pʊt]
• a bight of line: a loop or curve in a rope or line [ə baɪt əv laɪn]
• around: surrounding; in a circular direction or position about [əraʊnd]
• my: belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]
• toe: one of the digits of the foot [toʊ]
• to: expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location or thing [tɪ]
• wake: to emerge from sleep; cease to sleep [weɪk]
• me: used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]
• today: on this day [təˈdeɪ]
• is: third person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• eighty-five days: a period of eighty-five days [eighty-five deɪz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• should: used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions [ʃʊd]
• fish: the activity of catching fish, typically for sport or commercial purposes [fɪʃ]
• the day: the specific day being referred to [ðə deɪ]
• well: in a good or satisfactory way [wɛl]

Just then, watching his lines, he saw one of the projecting green sticks dip sharply.

• Just: exactly [ʤɪst]
• then: at that time; immediately after [ðɛn]
• watching: keeping one's eyes on something; observing [ˈwɑʧɪŋ]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• lines: fishing lines; ropes used in fishing [laɪnz]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• saw: past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• one of the projecting green sticks: one of the green sticks that extends outwards [wən əv ðə prɑˈʤɛktɪŋ grin stɪks]
• dip: to lower or drop something [dɪp]
• sharply: suddenly and noticeably [ˈʃɑrpli]

''Yes,'' he said. ''Yes,'' and shipped his oars without bumping the boat. He reached out for the line and held it softly between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. He felt no strain nor weight and he held the line lightly. Then it came again. This time it was a tentative pull, not solid nor heavy, and he knew exactly what it was. One hundred fathoms down a marlin was eating the sardines that covered the point and the shank of the hook where the hand-forged hook projected from the head of the small tuna.

• Yes: affirmative response [jɛs]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• shipped: to bring (something) on board a ship or boat [ʃɪpt]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• oars: long, flat-bladed poles used for rowing a boat [ɔrz]
• without: in the absence of; not having [wɪˈθaʊt]
• bumping: striking or colliding with something [ˈbəmpɪŋ]
• the boat: the small vessel used for transportation on water [ðə boʊt]
• reached out: extended his arm [riʧt aʊt]
• for: expressing purpose or intended goal [fər]
• the line: the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• held: past tense of 'hold'; grasped or supported with the hands [hɛld]
• it: referring to the line [ɪt]
• softly: gently; with little force [ˈsɔftli]
• between: in the space separating (two things [bɪtˈwin]
• the thumb: the short, thick first digit of the human hand [ðə θəm]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• forefinger: the finger next to the thumb; index finger [ˈfɔrˌfɪŋgər]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• right hand: the hand on the right side of the body [raɪt hænd]
• felt: past tense of 'feel'; perceived or experienced [fɛlt]
• no: not any; not one [noʊ]
• strain: a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree [streɪn]
• nor: used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]
• weight: a body's relative mass or the quantity of material contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing [weɪt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• held: past tense of 'hold'; grasped or supported with the hands [hɛld]
• the line: the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• lightly: with little weight or force [ˈlaɪtli]
• it: referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]
• came: past tense of 'come'; moved or traveled toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker [keɪm]
• again: another time; once more [əˈgɛn]
• it: referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• a tentative pull: an experimental or uncertain pull [ə ˈtɛntətɪv pʊl]
• not: used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition [nɑt]
• solid: firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid [ˈsɑləd]
• nor: used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]
• heavy: of great weight; difficult to lift or move [ˈhɛvi]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• knew: past tense of 'know'; be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [nu]
• exactly: in an accurate or correct manner [ɪgˈzæktli]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• it: referring to the pull on the line [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• a marlin: a large predatory billfish of warm seas [ə ˈmɑrlɪn]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• eating: consuming food [ˈitɪŋ]
• the sardines: small, oily fish [ðə sɑrˈdinz]
• that: used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause [ðət]
• covered: placed over or on top of something [ˈkəvərd]
• the point: the sharp end of something [ðə pɔɪnt]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the shank: the main part of the hook [ðə ʃæŋk]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the hook: a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling something [ðə hʊk]
• where: at or in which place or situation [wɛr]
• the hand-forged hook: a hook made by hand using forging techniques [ðə hand-forged hʊk]
• projected: extended outward beyond something else [prɑˈʤɛktəd]
• from: indicating a starting point [frəm]
• the head: the front part of the small tuna [ðə hɛd]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the small tuna: a relatively small tuna fish [ðə smɔl ˈtunə]

The old man held the line delicately, and softly, with his left hand, unleashed it from the stick.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old: advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]
• man: an adult male human [mæn]
• held: past tense of 'hold', meaning to grasp or support with the hands [hɛld]
• the line: referring to the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• delicately: with great care and sensitivity [ˈdɛləkətli]
• and: conjunction, connecting two similar words or phrases [ənd]
• softly: gently; with a light touch [ˈsɔftli]
• with his left hand: using his left hand to perform the action [wɪθ hɪz lɛft hænd]
• unleashed: released; freed from restraint [ənˈliʃt]
• it: referring to the fishing line [ɪt]
• from the stick: releasing the line from a stick it was attached to [frəm ðə stɪk]

Now he could let it run through his fingers without the fish feeling any tension.

• Now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]
• let: allow; permit [lɛt]
• it: referring to the fishing line [ɪt]
• run: move freely [rən]
• through: passing from one side to the other [θru]
• his fingers: the digits of his hand [hɪz ˈfɪŋgərz]
• without: not having; lacking [wɪˈθaʊt]
• the fish: referring to the fish [ðə fɪʃ]
• feeling: experiencing; sensing [ˈfilɪŋ]
• any: some; one or more [ˈɛni]
• tension: stress; strain [ˈtɛnʃən]

This far out, he must be huge in this month, he thought.

• This far out: At a considerable distance from the shore [ðɪs fɑr aʊt]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• must be: expressing a strong possibility or logical conclusion [məst bi]
• huge: extremely large; enormous [juʤ]
• in this month: during the current month [ɪn ðɪs mənθ]
• he thought: indicating the old man's internal thought [hi θɔt]

Eat them, fish.

• Eat: imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]
• them: referring to the bait or sardines [ðɛm]
• fish: addressing the fish [fɪʃ]

Eat them.

• Eat them: repeating the imperative, emphasizing the desire for the fish to eat [it ðɛm]

Please eat them.

• Please: expressing politeness or entreaty [pliz]
• eat: consume food [it]
• them: referring to the bait [ðɛm]

How fresh they are and you down there six hundred feet in that cold water in the dark.

• How fresh: expressing the degree of freshness [haʊ frɛʃ]
• they are: referring to the bait or sardines [ðeɪ ər]
• and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• you: addressing the fish [ju]
• down there: in the deep water below [daʊn ðɛr]
• six hundred feet: a measurement of depth [sɪks ˈhənərd fit]
• in that cold water: describing the water's temperature [ɪn ðət koʊld ˈwɔtər]
• in the dark: without light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]

Make another turn in the dark and come back and eat them.

• Make: perform; execute [meɪk]
• another turn: an additional rotation or movement [əˈnəðər tərn]
• in the dark: without light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• come back: return to the previous location [kəm bæk]
• and: conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
• eat: consume food [it]
• them: referring to the bait [ðɛm]

He felt the light delicate pulling and then a harder pull when a sardine's head must have been more difficult to break from the hook.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• felt: past tense of 'feel', meaning to perceive through touch [fɛlt]
• the light: not heavy; gentle [ðə laɪt]
• delicate: fine; subtle [ˈdɛləkət]
• pulling: the act of drawing or tugging [ˈpʊlɪŋ]
• and: conjunction, connecting two sensations [ənd]
• then: at that time; next [ðɛn]
• a harder pull: a stronger tug [ə ˈhɑrdər pʊl]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• a sardine's head: the head of a sardine, used as bait [ə sardines hɛd]
• must have been: expressing a logical conclusion about a past event [məst hæv bɪn]
• more difficult: harder to do [mɔr ˈdɪfəkəlt]
• to break: to separate into pieces [tɪ breɪk]
• from the hook: detaching from the fishing hook [frəm ðə hʊk]

Then there was nothing.

• Then: after that [ðɛn]
• there was: indicating existence [ðɛr wɑz]
• nothing: no thing; absence of anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]

''Come on,'' the old man said aloud. ''Make another turn.

• Come on: An expression used to encourage or urge someone or something to do something [kəm ɔn]
• the old man: Referring to an elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]
• said aloud: Spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [sɛd əˈlaʊd]
• Make another turn: Requesting to make one more rotation or attempt [meɪk əˈnəðər tərn]

Just smell them.

• Just smell them: An instruction to perceive the odor of something [ʤɪst smɛl ðɛm]

Aren't they lovely?

• Aren't they lovely: A question expressing admiration or delight [ˈɑrənt ðeɪ ˈləvli]

Eat them good now and then there is the tuna.

• Eat them good: Eat them well or thoroughly [it ðɛm gʊd]
• now and then: Occasionally; from time to time [naʊ ənd ðɛn]
• there is the tuna: Indicating the presence of tuna [ðɛr ɪz ðə ˈtunə]

Hard and cold and lovely.

• Hard and cold and lovely: Describing the tuna's texture, temperature, and appealing quality [hɑrd ənd koʊld ənd ˈləvli]

Don't be shy, fish.

• Don't be shy, fish: Encouraging the fish to not hesitate [doʊnt bi ʃaɪ fɪʃ]

He waited with the line between his thumb and his finger, watching it and the other lines at the same time for the fish might have swum up or down.

• He waited: He remained in place or paused, expecting something [hi ˈweɪtɪd]
• with the line: Holding the fishing line [wɪθ ðə laɪn]
• between his thumb and his finger: Specifying how he held the line [bɪtˈwin hɪz θəm ənd hɪz ˈfɪŋgər]
• watching it: Observing the line [ˈwɑʧɪŋ ɪt]
• and the other lines: Also observing the other fishing lines [ənd ðə ˈəðər laɪnz]
• at the same time: Simultaneously [æt ðə seɪm taɪm]
• for the fish: Because the fish [fər ðə fɪʃ]
• might have swum up or down: Possible movements of the fish in the water column [maɪt hæv swəm əp ər daʊn]

Then came the same delicate pulling touch again.

• Then came: Subsequently occurred [ðɛn keɪm]
• the same delicate pulling touch: A gentle sensation of being tugged [ðə seɪm ˈdɛləkət ˈpʊlɪŋ təʧ]
• again: Once more [əˈgɛn]

''He'll take it,'' the old man said aloud. ''God help him to take it.''

• He'll take it: A prediction that the fish will bite the bait, 'He'll' is a contraction of 'He will' [hil teɪk ɪt]
• the old man: Referring to an elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]
• said aloud: Spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [sɛd əˈlaʊd]
• God help him: A prayer or wish for divine assistance [gɑd hɛlp ɪm]
• to take it: To successfully consume the bait [tɪ teɪk ɪt]

He did not take it though.

• He did not take it: The fish did not bite the bait [hi dɪd nɑt teɪk ɪt]
• though: However; nevertheless [ðoʊ]

He was gone and the old man felt nothing.

• He was gone: The fish disappeared [hi wɑz gɔn]
• and the old man: Referring to an elderly male [ənd ðə oʊld mæn]
• felt nothing: Experienced no sensation or pull on the line [fɛlt ˈnəθɪŋ]

''He can't have gone,'' he said. ''Christ knows he can't have gone.

• He: Quotation marks indicating the start of dialogue, followed by the pronoun 'He' referring to a male individual [hi]
• can't: Contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability or impossibility [kænt]
• have gone: Indicates disbelief or denial that someone has left [hæv gɔn]
• he said: Attribution of the preceding statement to a male speaker [hi sɛd]
• Christ: An exclamation, often used to express surprise, frustration, or emphasis [kraɪst]
• knows: Implies that only God knows something, emphasizing the speaker's uncertainty [noʊz]
• he can't: Repetition of 'he cannot', reinforcing the speaker's disbelief [hi kænt]
• have gone: Further emphasis on the impossibility of someone leaving [hæv gɔn]

He's making a turn.

• He's: Contraction of 'He is', referring to the same male individual [hiz]
• making: Engaging in or performing an action [ˈmeɪkɪŋ]
• a turn: Changing direction or behaving in a particular way [ə tərn]

Maybe he has been hooked before and he remembers something of it.

• Maybe: Expressing possibility or uncertainty [ˈmeɪbi]
• he has been hooked before: Suggesting a past experience of being caught or deceived [hi həz bɪn hʊkt ˌbiˈfɔr]
• and he remembers something of it: Implying that past experience influences current behavior [ənd hi rɪˈmɛmbərz ˈsəmθɪŋ əv ɪt]