The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 25

It encouraged him to talk because his back had stiffened in the night and it hurt truly now.

• It: Refers to a previously mentioned situation or event [ɪt]
• encouraged: Gave someone confidence or hope [ɪnˈkərəʤd]
• him: Referring to a male individual previously mentioned [ɪm]
• to talk: To express oneself verbally [tɪ tɔk]
• because: For the reason that; since [bɪˈkəz]
• his back: The posterior part of the body [hɪz bæk]
• had stiffened: Become rigid or inflexible [hæd ˈstɪfənd]
• in the night: During the hours of darkness [ɪn ðə naɪt]
• and: Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• it hurt: Caused physical pain [ɪt hərt]
• truly: Genuinely; really [ˈtruli]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]

''Stay at my house if you like, bird,'' he said. ''I am sorry I cannot hoist the sail and take you in with the small breeze that is rising.

• Stay: Remain in a particular place or condition [steɪ]
• at my house: At my residence or dwelling [æt maɪ haʊs]
• if you like: If it pleases you; if you wish [ɪf ju laɪk]
• bird,'' he said: Attribution of the preceding words to a male speaker, addressing a bird [bərd hi sɛd]
• I am sorry: Expressing regret or remorse [aɪ æm ˈsɑri]
• I cannot hoist: Unable to raise or lift [aɪ ˈkænɑt hɔɪst]
• the sail: A piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship [ðə seɪl]
• and take you in: To bring someone or something inside, in this context, onto the boat [ənd teɪk ju ɪn]
• with the small breeze: A gentle wind [wɪθ ðə smɔl briz]
• that is rising: Increasing in intensity [ðət ɪz ˈraɪzɪŋ]

Just then the fish gave a sudden lurch that pulled the old man down onto the bow and would have pulled him overboard if he had not braced himself and given some line.

• Just then: At that precise moment [ʤɪst ðɛn]
• the fish: An aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]
• gave: To perform an action [geɪv]
• a sudden lurch: An abrupt, unsteady movement [ə ˈsədən lərʧ]
• that pulled: Exerted force to bring something or someone closer [ðət pʊld]
• the old man: An elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]
• down onto: Towards a lower position on [daʊn ˈɔntu]
• the bow: The forward part of a boat or ship [ðə boʊ]
• and: Conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• would have pulled: Indicates a hypothetical action that almost happened [wʊd hæv pʊld]
• him: Referring to the old man [ɪm]
• overboard: Over the side of a boat or ship into the water [ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd]
• if: Conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• he had not braced: Prepared oneself physically or mentally for something challenging [hi hæd nɑt breɪst]
• himself: Referring to the old man [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• and given: Provided or released [ənd ˈgɪvɪn]
• some line: A length of rope or cord, in this context, fishing line [səm laɪn]

The bird had flown up when the line jerked and the old man had not even seen him go.

• The bird: Refers to a specific bird, likely previously mentioned or understood in context [ðə bərd]
• had flown: Past perfect tense of 'fly', indicating the bird had already flown away before another action occurred [hæd floʊn]
• up: Indicates upward movement [əp]
• when: Conjunction indicating the time at which something happened [wɪn]
• the line: Refers to a fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• jerked: Moved suddenly and abruptly [ʤərkt]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related events [ənd]
• the old man: Refers to an elderly man, likely the main character [ðə oʊld mæn]
• had not even seen: Indicates that the old man did not see something at all [hæd nɑt ˈivɪn sin]
• him: Refers to the bird [ɪm]
• go: Leave or fly away [goʊ]

He felt the line carefully with his right hand and noticed his hand was bleeding.

• He: Refers to the old man [hi]
• felt: Past tense of 'feel', indicating he used his sense of touch [fɛlt]
• the line: Refers to the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• carefully: With attention and caution [ˈkɛrfəli]
• with: Preposition indicating the instrument used [wɪθ]
• his right hand: Specifies which hand he used [hɪz raɪt hænd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two related observations [ənd]
• noticed: Became aware of [ˈnoʊtɪst]
• his hand: Refers to the old man's hand [hɪz hænd]
• was bleeding: Indicates that his hand was losing blood [wɑz ˈblidɪŋ]

''Something hurt him then,'' he said aloud and pulled back on the line to see if he could turn the fish.

• Something: Indicates an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• hurt: Past tense of 'hurt', meaning caused pain or injury [hərt]
• him: Refers to the fish [ɪm]
• then: At that time; indicates a conclusion based on previous events [ðɛn]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating he spoke [sɛd]
• aloud: In a voice loud enough to be heard [əˈlaʊd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• pulled back: Applied force to draw something towards oneself [pʊld bæk]
• on the line: Refers to the fishing line [ɔn ðə laɪn]
• to see: In order to determine [tɪ si]
• if: Conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• could turn: Was able to change the direction of [kʊd tərn]
• the fish: Refers to the fish he is trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]

But when he was touching the breaking point he held steady and settled back against the strain of the line.

• But: Conjunction introducing a contrast [bət]
• when: Conjunction indicating the time at which something happened [wɪn]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• was touching: Was nearly reaching [wɑz ˈtəʧɪŋ]
• the breaking point: The point at which something will break or fail [ðə ˈbreɪkɪŋ pɔɪnt]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• held steady: Maintained a constant position or force [hɛld ˈstɛdi]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• settled back: Leaned back or relaxed against [ˈsɛtəld bæk]
• against: In opposition to or resisting [əˈgɛnst]
• the strain: The force or tension [ðə streɪn]
• of the line: Refers to the fishing line [əv ðə laɪn]

''You're feeling it now, fish,'' he said. ''And so, God knows, am I.''

• You're: Contraction of 'you are', referring to the fish [jʊr]
• feeling: Experiencing physically or emotionally [ˈfilɪŋ]
• it: Refers to the strain or pain [ɪt]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• fish: Addressing the fish directly [fɪʃ]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating he spoke [sɛd]
• And: In addition to what was previously stated [ənd]
• so: Likewise or similarly [soʊ]
• God knows: An expression indicating certainty or emphasis [gɑd noʊz]
• am I: Indicates that he is also feeling the strain or pain [æm aɪ]

He looked around for the bird now because he would have liked him for company.

• He: Refers to the old man [hi]
• looked around: Turned his head to view the surroundings [lʊkt əraʊnd]
• for: In search of [fər]
• the bird: Refers to a specific bird, likely previously mentioned [ðə bərd]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• because: Conjunction introducing a reason [bɪˈkəz]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• would have liked: Expresses a past desire or wish [wʊd hæv laɪkt]
• him: Refers to the bird [ɪm]
• for company: To have someone or something to alleviate loneliness [fər ˈkəmpəˌni]

The bird was gone.

• The bird: Refers to the specific bird [ðə bərd]
• was gone: Had disappeared or left [wɑz gɔn]

You did not stay long, the man thought.

• You: refers to the person being addressed [ju]
• did not stay: past tense of 'do not stay', indicating that someone left relatively quickly [dɪd nɑt steɪ]
• long: for an extended period of time [lɔŋ]
• the man thought: an internal thought of the man, indicating his reflection on the situation [ðə mæn θɔt]

But it is rougher where you are going until you make the shore.

• But: introduces a contrasting statement [bət]
• it is: refers to the journey or the conditions ahead [ɪt ɪz]
• rougher: more difficult or challenging [ˈrəfər]
• where: in the place that [wɛr]
• you are going: the destination or the path being taken [ju ər goʊɪŋ]
• until: up to the point that [ənˈtɪl]
• you make: when you reach [ju meɪk]
• the shore: the land near a body of water [ðə ʃɔr]

How did I let the fish cut me with that one quick pull he made?

• How: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• did I let: how did I allow [dɪd aɪ lɛt]
• the fish: the marine animal [ðə fɪʃ]
• cut: to wound or slice with a sharp object [kət]
• me: the speaker [mi]
• with: by means of [wɪθ]
• that one: a particular [ðət wən]
• quick pull: sudden, rapid tug [kwɪk pʊl]
• he made: the fish performed [hi meɪd]

I must be getting very stupid.

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• must be: it is likely that I am [məst bi]
• getting: becoming [ˈgɪtɪŋ]
• very stupid: lacking intelligence or understanding [ˈvɛri ˈstupɪd]

Or perhaps I was looking at the small bird and thinking of him.

• Or: alternatively [ər]
• perhaps: maybe [pərˈhæps]
• I was looking: I was directing my gaze [aɪ wɑz ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• at: towards [æt]
• the small bird: a tiny avian creature [ðə smɔl bərd]
• and: connecting two thoughts [ənd]
• thinking: contemplating [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
• of him: about the bird [əv ɪm]

Now I will pay attention to my work and then I must eat the tuna so that I will not have a failure of strength.

• Now: at this moment [naʊ]
• I will pay: I intend to give [aɪ wɪl peɪ]
• attention: focus or concentration [əˈtɛnʃən]
• to: towards [tɪ]
• my work: the task at hand [maɪ wərk]
• and: and also [ənd]
• then: after that [ðɛn]
• I must: it is necessary for me to [aɪ məst]
• eat: consume as food [it]
• the tuna: a type of fish [ðə ˈtunə]
• so that: in order that [soʊ ðət]
• I will not have: I will avoid [aɪ wɪl nɑt hæv]
• a failure: a lack or deficiency [ə ˈfeɪljər]
• of strength: physical power [əv strɛŋθ]

''I wish the boy were here and that I had some salt,'' he said aloud.

• I wish: expresses a desire or longing [aɪ wɪʃ]
• the boy: a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]
• were here: was present in this location [wər hir]
• and: in addition to [ənd]
• that: introduces a clause expressing a wish [ðət]
• I had: I possessed [aɪ hæd]
• some salt: a quantity of sodium chloride, used for seasoning [səm sɔlt]
• he said: he spoke [hi sɛd]
• aloud: in a voice that can be heard [əˈlaʊd]

Shifting the weight of the line to his left shoulder and kneeling carefully he washed his hand in the ocean and held it there, submerged, for more than a minute watching the blood trail away and the steady movement of the water against his hand as the boat moved.

• Shifting: moving or adjusting [ˈʃɪftɪŋ]
• the weight: the heaviness or load [ðə weɪt]
• of the line: referring to a fishing line [əv ðə laɪn]
• to: towards [tɪ]
• his left shoulder: the part of the body on the left side, between the neck and upper arm [hɪz lɛft ˈʃoʊldər]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• kneeling: being in a position with one or both knees on the ground [ˈnilɪŋ]
• carefully: with caution and attention [ˈkɛrfəli]
• he washed: he cleaned with water [hi wɑʃt]
• his hand: the part of the body at the end of the arm [hɪz hænd]
• in: inside [ɪn]
• the ocean: the sea [ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• and: and then [ənd]
• held: kept [hɛld]
• it: his hand [ɪt]
• there: in that position [ðɛr]
• submerged: underwater [səbˈmərʤd]
• for: during a period of [fər]
• more than: exceeding [mɔr ðən]
• a minute: a unit of time [ə ˈmɪnət]
• watching: observing [ˈwɑʧɪŋ]
• the blood trail: the path of blood in the water [ðə bləd treɪl]
• away: moving further off [əˈweɪ]
• and: and also [ənd]
• the steady movement: the constant motion [ðə ˈstɛdi ˈmuvmənt]
• of the water: the liquid in the ocean [əv ðə ˈwɔtər]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• his hand: the part of the body at the end of the arm [hɪz hænd]
• as: while [ɛz]
• the boat: a vessel for traveling on water [ðə boʊt]
• moved: progressed through the water [muvd]

''He has slowed much,'' he said.

• He: Beginning of a direct quote. 'He' refers to a male person previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]
• has slowed: indicates a decrease in speed or activity [həz sloʊd]
• much: significantly; to a great extent, end of the quote [məʧ]
• he: refers to the speaker, a male person [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating that the speaker uttered the previous words. [sɛd]

The old man would have liked to keep his hand in the salt water longer but he was afraid of another sudden lurch by the fish and he stood up and braced himself and held his hand up against the sun.

• The old man: Refers to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]
• would have liked: Expresses a desire or wish in the past that was not fulfilled [wʊd hæv laɪkt]
• to keep his hand in: To continue participating or being involved in something [tɪ kip hɪz hænd ɪn]
• the salt water: Water containing salt, typically seawater [ðə sɔlt ˈwɔtər]
• longer: For a greater duration of time [ˈlɔŋgər]
• but: A conjunction indicating a contrast or exception [bət]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• was afraid: Feeling fear or apprehension [wɑz əˈfreɪd]
• of another sudden lurch: A sudden, unsteady movement or jerk [əv əˈnəðər ˈsədən lərʧ]
• by the fish: Caused by the fish [baɪ ðə fɪʃ]
• and: A conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• stood up: Rose to a standing position [stʊd əp]
• and: A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• braced himself: Prepared himself physically and mentally for something difficult [breɪst hɪmˈsɛlf]
• and: A conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• held his hand up: Raised his hand [hɛld hɪz hænd əp]
• against the sun: To shield his eyes from the sun's glare. [əˈgɛnst ðə sən]

It was only a line burn that had cut his flesh.

• It: Refers to the line burn [ɪt]
• was only: Just; merely [wɑz ˈoʊnli]
• a line burn: A burn caused by a fishing line [ə laɪn bərn]
• that: A relative pronoun referring to the line burn [ðət]
• had cut: Past perfect tense of 'cut', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd kət]
• his flesh: His skin. [hɪz flɛʃ]

But it was in the working part of his hand.

• But: A conjunction indicating a contrast [bət]
• it: Referring to the line burn [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• in the working part: The area of the hand used for tasks [ɪn ðə ˈwərkɪŋ pɑrt]
• of his hand: Possession, referring to the old man's hand. [əv hɪz hænd]

He knew he would need his hands before this was over and he did not like to be cut before it started.

• He: Referring to the old man [hi]
• knew: Past tense of 'know', indicating awareness [nu]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• would need: Future tense of 'need', indicating a requirement in the future [wʊd nid]
• his hands: Referring to the old man's hands [hɪz hænz]
• before this: Prior to the current situation or event [ˌbiˈfɔr ðɪs]
• was over: Completed; finished [wɑz ˈoʊvər]
• and: A conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• did not like: Past tense of 'not like', indicating a dislike [dɪd nɑt laɪk]
• to be cut: To have his skin broken or injured [tɪ bi kət]
• before it: Prior to the current situation or event [ˌbiˈfɔr ɪt]
• started: Began. [ˈstɑrtɪd]