The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 24

''God let him jump,'' the old man said. ''I have enough line to handle him.''

• God: Referring to a deity, used as an exclamation. Indicates the start of a direct quote. [gɑd]
• let: Allow or permit. [lɛt]
• him: Referring to the fish. [ɪm]
• jump: To leap out of the water. Indicates the end of the quoted sentence. [ʤəmp]
• 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]
• I: The speaker (the old man). Indicates the start of a direct quote. [aɪ]
• have: To possess or hold. [hæv]
• enough: Sufficient; adequate. [ɪˈnəf]
• line: Refers to the fishing line. [laɪn]
• to handle: To manage or deal with. [tɪ ˈhændəl]
• him: Referring to the fish. Indicates the end of the quoted sentence. [ɪm]

Maybe if I can increase the tension just a little it will hurt him and he will jump, he thought.

• Maybe: possibly; perhaps [ˈmeɪbi]
• if: used to introduce a condition [ɪf]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]
• can: expressing possibility or ability [kən]
• increase: to make or become greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree [ˌɪnˈkris]
• the tension: the state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain [ðə ˈtɛnʃən]
• just: exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]
• a little: a small amount or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• it: referring to the situation or the effect of increasing tension [ɪt]
• will hurt: will cause physical pain or emotional distress [wɪl hərt]
• him: referring to the fish [ɪm]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• will jump: will leap or spring into the air [wɪl ʤəmp]
• he thought: an internal thought of the character [ hi θɔt]

Now that it is daylight let him jump so that he'll fill the sacks along his backbone with air and then he cannot go deep to die.

• Now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause expressing the reason or cause [ðət]
• it: referring to the time or situation [ɪt]
• is daylight: it is daytime; the period of light between sunrise and sunset [ɪz ˈdeɪˌlaɪt]
• let him jump: allowing or permitting the fish to jump [lɛt ɪm ʤəmp]
• so that: with the aim that; in order that [soʊ ðət]
• he'll: contraction of 'he will' [hil]
• fill: to make or become full; occupy to the full extent [fɪl]
• the sacks: bag-like structures [ðə sæks]
• along: moving in a constant direction on (a road, path, or any more or less horizontal surface [əˈlɔŋ]
• his backbone: the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the pelvis [hɪz ˈbækˌboʊn]
• with air: the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth, breathed by humans and animals [wɪθ ɛr]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• cannot: not able to; not permitted to [ˈkænɑt]
• go deep: descend to a great depth [goʊ dip]
• to die: to stop living; to become dead [tɪ daɪ]

He tried to increase the tension, but the line had been taut up to the very edge of the breaking point since he had hooked the fish and he felt the harshness as he leaned back to pull and knew he could put no more strain on it.

• He: referring to the fisherman [hi]
• tried: made an attempt or effort to do something [traɪd]
• to increase: to make or become greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree [tɪ ˌɪnˈkris]
• the tension: the state of being stretched tight; mental or emotional strain [ðə ˈtɛnʃən]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [ bət]
• the line: a length of cord or rope used for a particular purpose [ðə laɪn]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be' [hæd bɪn]
• taut: stretched or pulled tight; not slack [tɔt]
• up to: extending as far as [əp tɪ]
• the very edge: the extreme limit or boundary [ðə ˈvɛri ɛʤ]
• of the breaking point: the point at which something breaks or fails under strain [əv ðə ˈbreɪkɪŋ pɔɪnt]
• since: because; as [sɪns]
• he: referring to the fisherman [hi]
• had hooked: past perfect tense of 'to hook', meaning to catch with a hook [hæd hʊkt]
• the fish: the aquatic animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• he: referring to the fisherman [hi]
• felt: past tense of 'to feel', meaning to perceive or experience [fɛlt]
• the harshness: the quality of being unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses [ðə ˈhɑrʃnəs]
• as: while; when [ɛz]
• he: referring to the fisherman [hi]
• leaned back: inclined the body backward [lind bæk]
• to pull: to exert force on (someone or something) so as to move them towards oneself [tɪ pʊl]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• knew: past tense of 'to know', meaning to be aware of [nu]
• he: referring to the fisherman [hi]
• could: past tense of 'can', expressing ability or possibility [kʊd]
• put: to move (something) into a particular position [pʊt]
• no more: not any more; not any further [noʊ mɔr]
• strain: a force tending to pull or stretch something to an extreme or damaging degree [streɪn]
• on it: referring to the fishing line [ɔn ɪt]

I must not jerk it ever, he thought.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]
• must not: expressing obligation or necessity not to do something [məst nɑt]
• jerk: a sudden, sharp, or awkward movement [ʤərk]
• it: referring to the fishing line [ɪt]
• ever: at any time; on any occasion [ˈɛvər]
• he thought: an internal thought of the character [ hi θɔt]

Each jerk widens the cut the hook makes and then when he does jump he might throw it.

• Each jerk: every sudden, sharp, or awkward movement [iʧ ʤərk]
• widens: make or become wider [ˈwaɪdənz]
• the cut: an opening, incision, or wound made with a sharp-edged tool or object [ðə kət]
• the hook: a curved or sharply angled piece of metal or other hard material used to catch or hold something [ðə hʊk]
• makes: to create or produce something [meɪks]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• does jump: emphasizing the action of jumping [dɪz ʤəmp]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• might: expressing possibility or probability [maɪt]
• throw: propel (something) with force through the air by a movement of the arm and hand [θroʊ]
• it: referring to the hook [ɪt]

Anyway I feel better with the sun and for once I do not have to look into it.

• Anyway: in any case; regardless [ˈɛniˌweɪ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]
• feel: be aware of (a physical sensation or emotion [fil]
• better: in a more satisfactory way [ˈbɛtər]
• with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
• the sun: the star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• for once: for this one time; on this single occasion [fər wəns]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]
• do not: expressing negation [du nɑt]
• have to: expressing necessity or obligation [hæv tɪ]
• look into: to investigate; to examine [lʊk ˈɪntu]
• it: referring to the sun [ɪt]

There was yellow weed on the line but the old man knew that only made an added drag and he was pleased.

• There was: Indicates existence or presence of something in a particular place or time [ðɛr wɑz]
• yellow weed: Refers to a type of seaweed that is yellow in color [ˈjɛloʊ wid]
• on the line: Located or attached to the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]
• but: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• the old man: Refers to the main character, an elderly fisherman [ðə oʊld mæn]
• knew: Past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of or understand something [nu]
• that: A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• only: Merely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• made: Past tense of 'make', meaning to create or cause something [meɪd]
• an added drag: An additional resistance or burden [ən ˈædɪd dræg]
• and: A conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he was: Refers to the old man [hi wɑz]
• pleased: Feeling or expressing happiness or satisfaction [plizd]

It was the yellow Gulf weed that had made so much phosphorescence in the night.

• It was: Refers to something previously mentioned [ɪt wɑz]
• the yellow Gulf weed: Specific type of yellow seaweed found in the Gulf [ðə ˈjɛloʊ gəlf wid]
• that: A relative pronoun referring back to 'the yellow Gulf weed' [ðət]
• had made: Past perfect tense of 'make', indicating something that happened before another past event [hæd meɪd]
• so much phosphorescence: A large amount of light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat [soʊ məʧ ˌfɑsfərˈɛsəns]
• in the night: During the nighttime [ɪn ðə naɪt]

''Fish,'' he said, ''I love you and respect you very much.

• Fish: Addressing the fish directly [fɪʃ]
• he said: Attribution to the old man [hi sɛd]
• I love you: Expressing affection for the fish [aɪ ləv ju]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]
• respect you: Expressing admiration and consideration for the fish [rɪˈspɛkt ju]
• very much: Intensifier, indicating a high degree of love and respect [ˈvɛri məʧ]

Let us hope so, he thought.

• Let us hope so: Expressing a desire or wish for something to happen, in this case, likely related to catching the fish [lɛt ˈjuˈɛs hoʊp soʊ]
• he thought: Indicates this is the old man's internal thought [hi θɔt]

A small bird came toward the skiff from the north.

• A small bird: Refers to a bird that is not large in size [ə smɔl bərd]
• came: Past tense of 'come', meaning to move towards someone or something [keɪm]
• toward: In the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• the skiff: A small, light boat [ðə skɪf]
• from the north: Originating from the northern direction [frəm ðə nɔrθ]

He was a warbler and flying very low over the water.

• He was: Refers to the small bird [hi wɑz]
• a warbler: A type of small songbird [ə ˈwɔrblər]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related statements [ənd]
• flying: Moving through the air using wings [flaɪɪŋ]
• very low: Close to the surface [ˈvɛri loʊ]
• over the water: Above the body of water [ˈoʊvər ðə ˈwɔtər]

The old man could see that he was very tired.

• The old man: Refers to the main character, an elderly fisherman [ðə oʊld mæn]
• could see: Was able to observe [kʊd si]
• that: A conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he was: Refers to the small bird [hi wɑz]
• very tired: Feeling a great need to rest or sleep [ˈvɛri taɪərd]

The bird made the stern of the boat and rested there.

• The bird: Referring to the small bird mentioned previously [ðə bərd]
• made: Arrived at [meɪd]
• the stern: The rear part of a boat [ðə stərn]
• of the boat: Referring to the skiff [əv ðə boʊt]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• rested: Took a break; paused to relax [ˈrɛstɪd]
• there: At that location, referring to the stern of the boat [ðɛr]

Then he flew around the old man's head and rested on the line where he was more comfortable.

• Then: Following that; next [ðɛn]
• he flew: The bird moved through the air [hi flu]
• around: In a circular path [əraʊnd]
• the old man's head: Circling the head of the old man [ðə oʊld mænz hɛd]
• and: A conjunction connecting two related actions [ənd]
• rested: Took a break; paused to relax [ˈrɛstɪd]
• on the line: On the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]
• where: At the place or location [wɛr]
• he was: Referring to the bird [hi wɑz]
• more comfortable: Feeling more relaxed and at ease [mɔr ˈkəmfərtəbəl]

''How old are you?'' the old man asked the bird. ''Is this your first trip?''

• How old are you: A direct question about someone's age, enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [haʊ oʊld ər ju]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• asked: Inquired or posed a question to. [æst]
• the bird: A feathered animal. [ðə bərd]
• Is this your first trip: A question asking if this is the bird's initial journey, enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪz ðɪs jʊr fərst trɪp]

The bird looked at him when he spoke.

• The bird: A feathered animal. [ðə bərd]
• looked at: Directed its gaze towards. [lʊkt æt]
• him: Referring to the old man. [ɪm]
• when he spoke: At the moment the old man was talking. [wɪn hi spoʊk]

He was too tired even to examine the line and he teetered on it as his delicate feet gripped it fast.

• He: Referring to the bird. [hi]
• was too tired: Indicates a state of extreme fatigue. [wɑz tu taɪərd]
• even to examine: Not even having the energy to inspect. [ˈivɪn tɪ ɪgˈzæmɪn]
• the line: Referring to a fishing line or similar. [ðə laɪn]
• and he teetered on it: And he wobbled or swayed on the line. [ənd hi ˈtitərd ɔn ɪt]
• as his delicate feet: While its small and fragile feet. [ɛz hɪz ˈdɛləkət fit]
• gripped it fast: Held onto the line tightly. [grɪpt ɪt fæst]

''It's steady,'' the old man told him. ''It's too steady.

• It's steady: Said to mean 'it is stable', enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪts ˈstɛdi]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• told him: Said to the bird. [toʊld ɪm]
• It's too steady: Said to mean 'it is excessively stable', enclosed in double quotation marks to indicate direct speech. [ɪts tu ˈstɛdi]

You shouldn't be that tired after a windless night.

• You shouldn't be: You ought not to be. [ju ˈʃʊdənt bi]
• that tired: So exhausted. [ðət taɪərd]
• after a windless night: Following a night with no wind. [ˈæftər ə windless naɪt]

The hawks, he thought, that come out to sea to meet them.

• The hawks: Birds of prey. [ðə hɔks]
• he thought: A thought that the old man had. [hi θɔt]
• that come out to sea: Which venture out to the ocean. [ðət kəm aʊt tɪ si]
• to meet them: To encounter the birds. [tɪ mit ðɛm]

But he said nothing of this to the bird who could not understand him anyway and who would learn about the hawks soon enough.

• But he said nothing of this: However, he didn't mention any of this. [bət hi sɛd ˈnəθɪŋ əv ðɪs]
• to the bird: Addressing the feathered animal. [tɪ ðə bərd]
• who could not understand him anyway: Since the bird wouldn't comprehend him regardless. [hu kʊd nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd ɪm ˈɛniˌweɪ]
• and who would learn about the hawks: And the bird would eventually discover about the predators. [ənd hu wʊd lərn əˈbaʊt ðə hɔks]
• soon enough: In due time. [sun ɪˈnəf]

''Take a good rest, small bird,'' he said. ''Then go in and take your chance like any man or bird or fish.''

• Take: An imperative verb, meaning to seize or grasp, but in this context, it's used as a command to accept or receive something, in this case, rest [teɪk]
• a good rest: A period of relaxation and recovery that is beneficial and sufficient [ə gʊd rɛst]
• small bird: A diminutive term of endearment for a bird, indicating its size and possibly vulnerability [smɔl bərd]
• he said: Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker [ hi sɛd]
• Then: Adverb indicating sequence or time; after that [ðɛn]
• go in: To enter a place or situation [goʊ ɪn]
• and take: To seize or grasp, similar to 'take' earlier, but here implying to accept or undertake [ənd teɪk]
• your chance: An opportunity to do something, especially when it depends on luck or circumstances [jʊr ʧæns]
• like: Similar to; in the same way as [laɪk]
• any man or bird or fish: Comparison to any creature, emphasizing equality in facing opportunities or risks [ˈɛni mæn ər bərd ər fɪʃ]