The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 23

Aloud he said, ''I wish I had the boy.''

• Aloud: In a voice that can be clearly heard [əˈlaʊd]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say'; to utter words [sɛd]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• wish: To desire or want something [wɪʃ]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• had: Past tense of 'have'; to possess or hold [hæd]
• the boy: Referring to a specific boy, likely a companion or helper [ðə bɔɪ]

But you haven't got the boy, he thought.

• But: Conjunction indicating contrast or opposition [bət]
• you haven't got: Contraction of 'you have not got', meaning you do not possess or have captured [ju ˈhævənt gɑt]
• the boy: Referring to a specific male child or young man, likely the object of a search or pursuit in the context of the story [ðə bɔɪ]
• he thought: Indicates the preceding words are the character's internal thoughts [hi θɔt]

You have only yourself and you had better work back to the last line now, in the dark or not in the dark, and cut it away and hook up the two reserve coils.

• You have only: Emphasizes the limited resources or companions available to the character [ju hæv ˈoʊnli]
• yourself: Refers to the character's own person, highlighting self-reliance [ˈjɔrsɛlf]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related ideas or actions [ənd]
• you had better: Expresses advice or a strong suggestion, implying a potential negative consequence if not followed [ju hæd ˈbɛtər]
• work back: To retrace steps or actions, often to correct a mistake or improve a situation [wərk bæk]
• to the last line: Referring to the fishing line, indicating the need to undo or adjust something related to it [tɪ ðə læst laɪn]
• now: Indicates the urgency or immediacy of the action [naʊ]
• in the dark or not in the dark: Whether there is light or not; regardless of the lighting conditions [ɪn ðə dɑrk ər nɑt ɪn ðə dɑrk]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• cut it away: To sever or detach something, in this case, likely a part of the fishing line [kət ɪt əˈweɪ]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• hook up: To connect or attach something, in this case, likely the reserve coils [hʊk əp]
• the two reserve coils: Two spare coils of rope or line, kept in reserve for use when needed [ðə tu rɪˈzərv kɔɪlz]

So he did it.

• So: Therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• he did it: He performed the action previously mentioned [hi dɪd ɪt]

It was difficult in the dark and once the fish made a surge that pulled him down on his face and made a cut below his eye.

• It was difficult: The task was challenging or hard to do [ɪt wɑz ˈdɪfəkəlt]
• in the dark: Without light; in darkness [ɪn ðə dɑrk]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related events [ənd]
• once: On one occasion [wəns]
• the fish made a surge: The fish suddenly pulled strongly [ðə fɪʃ meɪd ə sərʤ]
• that: Relative pronoun referring to the surge [ðət]
• pulled him down: Forced him to fall [pʊld ɪm daʊn]
• on his face: Onto the front of his head [ɔn hɪz feɪs]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related events [ənd]
• made a cut: Caused an injury involving a break in the skin [meɪd ə kət]
• below his eye: In the area under his eye [bɪˈloʊ hɪz aɪ]

The blood ran down his cheek a little way.

• The blood ran down: Blood flowed downwards [ðə bləd ræn daʊn]
• his cheek: The side of his face below his eye and between his nose and ear [hɪz ʧik]
• a little way: A short distance [ə ˈlɪtəl weɪ]

But it coagulated and dried before it reached his chin and he worked his way back to the bow and rested against the wood.

• But: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• it coagulated: The blood thickened and clotted [ɪt coagulated]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related events [ənd]
• dried: Became dry [draɪd]
• before: Earlier than [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• it reached his chin: Before the blood flowed as far as his chin [ɪt riʧt hɪz ʧɪn]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• he worked his way back: He moved back with effort [hi wərkt hɪz weɪ bæk]
• to the bow: To the front of the boat [tɪ ðə boʊ]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• rested: Leaned or supported himself [ˈrɛstɪd]
• against the wood: On the wooden part of the boat [əˈgɛnst ðə wʊd]

He adjusted the sack and carefully worked the line so that it came across a new part of his shoulders and, holding it anchored with his shoulders, he carefully felt the pull of the fish and then felt with his hand the progress of the skiff through the water.

• He adjusted: He changed the position of [hi əˈʤəstɪd]
• the sack: A bag or container [ðə sæk]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• carefully worked: Moved or manipulated with care [ˈkɛrfəli wərkt]
• the line: The fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• so that: In order that [soʊ ðət]
• it came across: It was positioned over [ɪt keɪm əˈkrɔs]
• a new part: A different section [ə nu pɑrt]
• of his shoulders: Of his upper back [əv hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• holding it anchored: Keeping it firmly in place [ˈhoʊldɪŋ ɪt ˈæŋkərd]
• with his shoulders: Using his shoulders to secure it [wɪθ hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]
• he carefully felt: He cautiously sensed [hi ˈkɛrfəli fɛlt]
• the pull of the fish: The force exerted by the fish on the line [ðə pʊl əv ðə fɪʃ]
• and then: Following that [ənd ðɛn]
• felt with his hand: Sensed using his hand [fɛlt wɪθ hɪz hænd]
• the progress: The movement forward [ðə ˈprɑˌgrɛs]
• of the skiff: Of the small boat [əv ðə skɪf]
• through the water: In the water [θru ðə ˈwɔtər]

I wonder what he made that lurch for, he thought.

• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• wonder: to feel curiosity or doubt about something [ˈwəndər]
• what: used to ask for information specifying something [wət]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to perform an action or cause something to exist [meɪd]
• that: used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]
• lurch: a sudden, unsteady movement [lərʧ]
• for: indicating the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]

The wire must have slipped on the great hill of his back.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific wire [ðə]
• wire: a thin, flexible strand of metal [waɪər]
• must: expressing logical deduction or certainty [məst]
• have: auxiliary verb used to form the perfect tense [hæv]
• slipped: past participle of 'slip', meaning to lose one's grip or footing [slɪpt]
• on: indicating a surface or location [ɔn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific hill [ðə]
• great: large in size or degree [greɪt]
• hill: a rounded elevation of land [hɪl]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• his: third-person singular possessive pronoun, referring to a male person [hɪz]
• back: the rear surface of the body [bæk]

Certainly his back cannot feel as badly as mine does.

• Certainly: definitely; without a doubt [ˈsərtənli]
• his: third-person singular possessive pronoun, referring to a male person [hɪz]
• back: the rear surface of the body [bæk]
• cannot: contraction of 'can not', expressing inability [ˈkænɑt]
• feel: to experience a sensation [fil]
• as: to the same degree or extent [ɛz]
• badly: in a poor or unpleasant way [ˈbædli]
• as: used in comparisons to show a degree of similarity [ɛz]
• mine: belonging to me [maɪn]
• does: auxiliary verb used for emphasis or to avoid repetition [dɪz]

But he cannot pull this skiff forever, no matter how great he is.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• cannot: contraction of 'can not', expressing inability [ˈkænɑt]
• pull: to exert force on something so as to move it towards oneself [pʊl]
• this: referring to something present or nearby [ðɪs]
• skiff: a light rowing boat [skɪf]
• forever: for all time; without end [fərˈɛvər]
• no matter: regardless of [noʊ ˈmætər]
• how: to what extent or degree [haʊ]
• great: large in size or degree [greɪt]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• is: third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]

Now everything is cleared away that might make trouble and I have a big reserve of line; all that a man can ask.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• everything: all things; all the things being considered [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• is: third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]
• cleared: past participle of 'clear', meaning to remove obstacles or unwanted items [klɪrd]
• away: to a different place or direction [əˈweɪ]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• might: expressing possibility [maɪt]
• make: to cause something to exist or happen [meɪk]
• trouble: difficulty or problems [ˈtrəbəl]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have: to possess or hold something [hæv]
• a: indefinite article, referring to one thing [ə]
• big: large in size or degree [bɪg]
• reserve: an additional supply of something [rɪˈzərv]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• line: a rope or cord used for a particular purpose [laɪn]
• all: the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]
• that: used to specify something [ðət]
• a: indefinite article, referring to one thing [ə]
• man: an adult male human being [mæn]
• can: expressing ability or possibility [kən]
• ask: to request or inquire about something [æsk]

''Fish,'' he said softly, aloud, ''I'll stay with you until I am dead.''

• Fish: Addressing the fish [fɪʃ]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]
• softly: in a quiet and gentle manner [ˈsɔftli]
• aloud: in a voice that can be heard [əˈlaʊd]
• I'll: contraction of 'I will', expressing a future intention [aɪl]
• stay: to remain in a place or condition [steɪ]
• with: in the company of [wɪθ]
• you: second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]
• until: up to the point in time that [ənˈtɪl]
• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• am: first-person singular present of 'be' [æm]
• dead: no longer living [dɛd]

He'll stay with me too, I suppose, the old man thought and he waited for it to be light.

• He'll: contraction of 'he will', expressing a future intention [hil]
• stay: to remain in a place or condition [steɪ]
• with: in the company of [wɪθ]
• me: first-person singular object pronoun, referring to the speaker [mi]
• too: in addition; also [tu]
• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• suppose: to assume or believe something is likely [səˈpoʊz]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific man [ðə]
• old: having lived for a long time [oʊld]
• man: an adult male human being [mæn]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• waited: past tense of 'wait', meaning to remain in place or delay action [ˈweɪtɪd]
• for: indicating the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• it: referring to the situation or event [ɪt]
• to: expressing purpose or intention [tɪ]
• be: to exist or occur [bi]
• light: the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible [laɪt]

It was cold now in the time before daylight and he pushed against the wood to be warm.

• It: referring to the weather or environment [ɪt]
• was: third-person singular past of 'be' [wɑz]
• cold: having a low temperature [koʊld]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• in: expressing location or time [ɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific time [ðə]
• time: a point or period when events occur [taɪm]
• before: preceding in time or order [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• daylight: the natural light of the day [ˈdeɪˌlaɪt]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• pushed: past tense of 'push', meaning to exert force on something to move it away [pʊʃt]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific wood [ðə]
• wood: the hard, fibrous material that forms the main substance of a tree or shrub [wʊd]
• to: expressing purpose or intention [tɪ]
• be: to exist or occur [bi]
• warm: having a moderately high temperature [wɔrm]

I can do it as long as he can, he thought.

• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• can: expressing ability or possibility [kən]
• do: to perform an action [du]
• it: referring to the action or task [ɪt]
• as: to the same degree or extent [ɛz]
• long: for a considerable period of time [lɔŋ]
• as: used in comparisons to show a degree of similarity [ɛz]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• can: expressing ability or possibility [kən]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male person [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]

And in the first light the line extended out and down into the water.

• And: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• in: expressing location or time [ɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific light [ðə]
• first: coming before all others in order or importance [fərst]
• light: the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible [laɪt]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific line [ðə]
• line: a rope or cord used for a particular purpose [laɪn]
• extended: past tense of 'extend', meaning to stretch or reach out [ɪkˈstɛndɪd]
• out: away from the inside or center [aʊt]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• down: towards or in a lower place or position [daʊn]
• into: expressing movement or direction toward the inside of something [ˈɪntu]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific water [ðə]
• water: the liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain [ˈwɔtər]

The boat moved steadily and when the first edge of the sun rose it was on the old man's right shoulder.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific boat [ðə]
• boat: a small vessel for traveling on water [boʊt]
• moved: past tense of 'move', meaning to go in a specified direction or manner [muvd]
• steadily: in a constant and regular manner [ˈstɛdəli]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific edge [ðə]
• first: coming before all others in order or importance [fərst]
• edge: the outside limit of an object, area, or surface [ɛʤ]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific sun [ðə]
• sun: the star that provides light and heat to Earth [sən]
• rose: past tense of 'rise', meaning to come up or emerge [roʊz]
• it: referring to the sun [ɪt]
• was: third-person singular past of 'be' [wɑz]
• on: indicating a surface or location [ɔn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific shoulder [ðə]
• old: having lived for a long time [oʊld]
• man's: belonging to the man [mænz]
• right: located on the side that is toward the east when facing north [raɪt]
• shoulder: the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm [ˈʃoʊldər]

''He's headed north,'' the old man said.

• He's: Contraction of 'He is'. Indicates the start of a direct quote. 'He' refers to a male person previously mentioned or understood in context. [hiz]
• headed: Moving or traveling in a particular direction. [ˈhɛdɪd]
• north: The direction towards the North. Indicates the end of the quoted sentence. [nɔrθ]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly male character. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the old man spoke the quoted words. End of the sentence. [sɛd]

The current will have set us far to the eastward, he thought.

• The current: Refers to the flow of water in the sea. [ðə ˈkɑrənt]
• will have set: Future perfect tense, indicating that the current will have moved them. [wɪl hæv sɛt]
• us: Refers to the speaker and possibly others with him. [ˈjuˈɛs]
• far: To a great extent or distance. [fɑr]
• to the eastward: In an easterly direction. [tɪ ðə ˈistwərd]
• he: Refers to the old man. [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', indicating the old man's internal thought. End of the sentence. [θɔt]

I wish he would turn with the current.

• I: The speaker (the old man). [aɪ]
• wish: Expressing a desire or hope. [wɪʃ]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• would turn: Expressing a conditional desire for the fish to change direction. [wʊd tərn]
• with the current: Following the flow of the water. End of the sentence. [wɪθ ðə ˈkɑrənt]

That would show that he was tiring.

• That: Referring to the fish turning with the current. [ðət]
• would show: Indicates that the action would be evidence of something. [wʊd ʃoʊ]
• that: Introducing a clause explaining what would be shown. [ðət]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• was tiring: Becoming exhausted. End of the sentence. [wɑz ˈtaɪrɪŋ]

When the sun had risen further the old man realized that the fish was not tiring.

• When: At the time or occasion of. [wɪn]
• the sun: The star that provides light and heat to the Earth. [ðə sən]
• had risen: Past perfect tense of 'rise', indicating that the sun had already ascended. [hæd ˈrɪzən]
• further: To a greater extent or degree. [ˈfərðər]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly male character. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• realized: Past tense of 'realize', meaning to become aware of something. [ˈriəˌlaɪzd]
• that: Introducing a clause explaining what the old man realized. [ðət]
• the fish: Refers to the marine animal being pursued. [ðə fɪʃ]
• was not tiring: Becoming exhausted. End of the sentence. [wɑz nɑt ˈtaɪrɪŋ]

There was only one favorable sign.

• There: Used to indicate the existence or presence of something. [ðɛr]
• was: Past tense of 'be'. [wɑz]
• only: Solely; merely. [ˈoʊnli]
• one: A single. [wən]
• favorable: Expressing approval or support. [ˈfeɪvərəbəl]
• sign: An indication of something. End of the sentence. [saɪn]

The slant of the line showed he was swimming at a lesser depth.

• The slant: The angle or slope. [ðə slænt]
• of the line: Refers to the fishing line. [əv ðə laɪn]
• showed: Past tense of 'show', indicating that the slant revealed something. [ʃoʊd]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• was swimming: The action of moving through water. [wɑz sˈwɪmɪŋ]
• at a lesser depth: A smaller distance below the surface of the water. End of the sentence. [æt ə ˈlɛsər dɛpθ]

That did not necessarily mean that he would jump.

• That: Referring to the fish swimming at a lesser depth. [ðət]
• did not necessarily: Not always; not in every case. [dɪd nɑt ˌnɛsəˈsɛrəli]
• mean: To signify or indicate. [min]
• that: Introducing a clause explaining what it did not necessarily mean. [ðət]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• would jump: To leap out of the water. End of the sentence. [wʊd ʤəmp]

But he might.

• But: However; on the other hand. [bət]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• might: Expressing possibility. End of the sentence. [maɪt]