The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 26

''Now,'' he said, when his hand had dried, ''I must eat the small tuna.

• Now: Indicates a transition or change in focus, start of the quote [naʊ]
• he: Referring to a male person, likely the same one as before [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the speaker uttered the previous words [sɛd]
• when his hand: Referring to the speaker's hand [wɪn hɪz hænd]
• had dried: Past perfect tense of 'dry', indicating that the hand was no longer wet [hæd draɪd]
• I: The speaker, first person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• must: Expressing obligation or necessity [məst]
• eat: To consume food [it]
• the small tuna: A small fish of the tuna species. End of the quote. [ðə smɔl ˈtunə]

He knelt down and found the tuna under the stem with the gaff and drew it toward him keeping it clear of the coiled lines.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]
• knelt down: lowered himself to his knees [nɛlt daʊn]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• found: discovered or located something [faʊnd]
• the tuna: a type of saltwater fish [ðə ˈtunə]
• under: beneath or below something [ˈəndər]
• the stem: the foremost part of a boat or ship [ðə stɛm]
• with: used to indicate the instrument or means used [wɪθ]
• the gaff: a hooked pole for landing large fish [ðə gæf]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• drew: pulled or attracted something towards oneself [dru]
• it: refers to the tuna [ɪt]
• toward: in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• him: referring to the subject, 'he' [ɪm]
• keeping: maintaining or ensuring a certain condition [ˈkipɪŋ]
• it: referring to the tuna [ɪt]
• clear: free from obstruction or contact [klɪr]
• of: indicating separation or removal [əv]
• the coiled lines: ropes or fishing lines arranged in a circular or spiral shape [ðə kɔɪld laɪnz]

Holding the line with his left shoulder again, and bracing on his left hand and arm, he took the tuna off the gaff hook and put the gaff back in place.

• Holding: grasping or supporting something [ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• the line: the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• with: using or by means of [wɪθ]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• left shoulder: the shoulder on the left side of his body [lɛft ˈʃoʊldər]
• again: once more; repeating an action [əˈgɛn]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• bracing: supporting or steadying oneself [ˈbreɪsɪŋ]
• on: supported by [ɔn]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• left hand: the hand on the left side of his body [lɛft hænd]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• arm: the upper limb of the body [ɑrm]
• he: referring to the subject [hi]
• took: removed or obtained [tʊk]
• the tuna: the fish [ðə ˈtunə]
• off: removed from [ɔf]
• the gaff hook: the hook on the gaff [ðə gæf hʊk]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• put: placed or positioned [pʊt]
• the gaff: the hooked pole [ðə gæf]
• back: to its original position [bæk]
• in place: in the correct or usual position [ɪn pleɪs]

He put one knee on the fish and cut strips of dark red meat longitudinally from the back of the head to the tail.

• He: referring to the subject [hi]
• put: placed [pʊt]
• one knee: one of his knees [wən ni]
• on: on top of [ɔn]
• the fish: the tuna [ðə fɪʃ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• cut: divided or sliced with a sharp instrument [kət]
• strips: long, narrow pieces [strɪps]
• of: indicating the material or content [əv]
• dark red meat: the flesh of the fish, having a dark red color [dɑrk rɛd mit]
• longitudinally: lengthwise; in the direction of the length [longitudinally]
• from: starting at [frəm]
• the back: the upper part [ðə bæk]
• of: indicating location [əv]
• the head: the anterior part of the fish [ðə hɛd]
• to: extending to [tɪ]
• the tail: the posterior part of the fish [ðə teɪl]

They were wedge-shaped strips and he cut them from next to the back bone down to the edge of the belly.

• They: referring to the strips of meat [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of 'to be' [wər]
• wedge-shaped strips: pieces of meat that are wider at one end and narrower at the other [wedge-shaped strɪps]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: referring to the subject [hi]
• cut: divided or sliced [kət]
• them: referring to the strips [ðɛm]
• from: starting at [frəm]
• next to: adjacent to; beside [nɛkst tɪ]
• the back bone: the spine of the fish [ðə bæk boʊn]
• down: extending downwards [daʊn]
• to: reaching [tɪ]
• the edge: the outer boundary [ðə ɛʤ]
• of: indicating location [əv]
• the belly: the underside of the fish [ðə ˈbɛli]

When he had cut six strips he spread them out on the wood of the bow, wiped his knife on his trousers, and lifted the carcass of the bonito by the tail and dropped it overboard.

• When: at the time that [wɪn]
• he: referring to the subject [hi]
• had cut: past perfect tense of 'to cut' [hæd kət]
• six strips: six pieces of meat [sɪks strɪps]
• he: referring to the subject [hi]
• spread: extended or distributed [sprɛd]
• them: referring to the strips [ðɛm]
• out: in an extended manner [aʊt]
• on: on top of [ɔn]
• the wood: the wooden surface [ðə wʊd]
• of: indicating location [əv]
• the bow: the front part of the boat [ðə boʊ]
• wiped: cleaned by rubbing [waɪpt]
• his knife: the cutting tool he was using [hɪz naɪf]
• on: on the surface of [ɔn]
• his trousers: his pants [hɪz ˈtraʊzərz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• lifted: raised or picked up [ˈlɪftɪd]
• the carcass: the dead body of an animal [ðə ˈkɑrkəs]
• of: indicating what the carcass is [əv]
• the bonito: a type of fish [ðə bəˈnitoʊ]
• by: grasping or holding [baɪ]
• the tail: the posterior part [ðə teɪl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• dropped: released or let fall [drɑpt]
• it: referring to the carcass [ɪt]
• overboard: over the side of the boat and into the water [ˈoʊvərˌbɔrd]

''I don't think I can eat an entire one,'' he said and drew his knife across one of the strips.

• I: beginning of a direct quote, 'I' refers to the speaker [aɪ]
• don't: contraction of 'do not', indicating negation [doʊnt]
• think: to have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• can: indicates ability or possibility [kən]
• eat: to consume food [it]
• an entire one: a whole single thing, referring to a fish or portion of food mentioned previously [ən ɪnˈtaɪər wən]
• he: a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• drew: past tense of 'draw', meaning to pull or move something [dru]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• knife: a cutting tool with a blade [naɪf]
• across: from one side to the other of something [əˈkrɔs]
• one: a single item [wən]
• of: part of a group or set [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• strips: long, narrow pieces [strɪps]

He could feel the steady hard pull of the line and his left hand was cramped.

• He: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility in the past [kʊd]
• feel: to experience a sensation [fil]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• steady: constant and unwavering [ˈstɛdi]
• hard: requiring effort or force [hɑrd]
• pull: the act of exerting force to draw something towards oneself [pʊl]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• line: a rope or cord, likely fishing line in this context [laɪn]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• left: the opposite of right [lɛft]
• hand: the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• was: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [wɑz]
• cramped: experiencing a painful muscle contraction [kræmpt]

It drew up tight on the heavy cord and he looked at it in disgust.

• It: referring to the hand [ɪt]
• drew: past tense of 'draw', meaning to contract or pull in [dru]
• up: towards a higher position [əp]
• tight: firmly or closely [taɪt]
• on: supported by or attached to [ɔn]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• heavy: of great weight [ˈhɛvi]
• cord: a thick string or rope [kɔrd]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]
• at: expressing direction or location [æt]
• it: referring to the hand [ɪt]
• in: expressing location or state [ɪn]
• disgust: a feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval [dɪsˈgəst]

''What kind of a hand is that,'' he said.

• What: beginning of a question, indicating surprise or disbelief [wət]
• kind: a type or sort [kaɪnd]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any hand [ə]
• hand: the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• that: referring to a specific hand [ðət]
• he: a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating speech [sɛd]

''Cramp then if you want.

• Cramp: beginning of a direct quote, an imperative statement [kræmp]
• then: at that time; also used to indicate a consequence [ðɛn]
• if: expressing a condition [ɪf]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• want: to desire or wish for something [wɔnt]

Make yourself into a claw.

• Make: imperative form of 'make', meaning to create or transform [meɪk]
• yourself: the person being addressed [ˈjɔrsɛlf]
• into: expressing a change of form or condition [ˈɪntu]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any claw [ə]
• claw: a sharp, curved nail on an animal's foot [klɔ]

Come on, he thought and looked down into the dark water at the slant of the line.

• Come: imperative form of 'come', meaning to move towards the speaker [kəm]
• on: expressing encouragement or urging [ɔn]
• he: a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', indicating internal thought [θɔt]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]
• down: towards a lower position [daʊn]
• into: expressing direction or location [ˈɪntu]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• dark: with little or no light [dɑrk]
• water: a clear, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid [ˈwɔtər]
• at: expressing direction or location [æt]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• slant: a sloping position [slænt]
• of: indicating possession or association [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• line: a rope or cord, likely fishing line in this context [laɪn]

Eat it now and it will strengthen the hand.

• Eat: imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]
• it: referring to something previously mentioned, likely a fish [ɪt]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• it: referring to the food being eaten [ɪt]
• will: indicates future tense [wɪl]
• strengthen: to make stronger [ˈstrɛŋθən]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• hand: the part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]

It is not the hand's fault and you have been many hours with the fish.

• It: referring to the situation or action [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• not: negation [nɑt]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• hand's: possessive form of 'hand' [hændz]
• fault: responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing [fɔlt]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• have: auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [hæv]
• been: past participle of 'be' [bɪn]
• many: a large number of [ˈmɛni]
• hours: units of time, each consisting of sixty minutes [aʊərz]
• with: in the company of [wɪθ]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• fish: an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]

But you can stay with him forever.

• But: conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• can: indicates ability or possibility [kən]
• stay: to remain in a place or condition [steɪ]
• with: in the company of [wɪθ]
• him: referring to the fish [ɪm]
• forever: for all time; without end [fərˈɛvər]

Eat the bonito now.

• Eat: imperative form of 'eat', meaning to consume food [it]
• the: definite article, referring to something specific [ðə]
• bonito: a type of fish [bəˈnitoʊ]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]

He picked up a piece and put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned or understood in the context [hi]
• picked up: to lift or take hold of something [pɪkt əp]
• a piece: a portion or fragment of something [ə pis]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• put it: placed the piece [pʊt ɪt]
• in his mouth: inside the oral cavity [ɪn hɪz maʊθ]
• and: connector [ənd]
• chewed it: to crush or grind with the teeth [ʧud ɪt]
• slowly: at a slow pace [sˈloʊli]

It was not unpleasant.

• It: referring to the piece he chewed [ɪt]
• was not unpleasant: not causing displeasure; somewhat agreeable [wɑz nɑt ənˈplɛzənt]

Chew it well, he thought, and get all the juices.

• Chew it well: masticate thoroughly [ʧu ɪt wɛl]
• he thought: what he was thinking [hi θɔt]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• get all the juices: extract all the liquid or flavor [gɪt ɔl ðə ˈʤusɪz]

It would not be had to eat with a little lime or with lemon or with salt.

• It: referring to the piece he is eating [ɪt]
• to eat: to consume as food [tɪ it]
• with a little lime: with a small amount of lime juice [wɪθ ə ˈlɪtəl laɪm]
• or: alternative [ər]
• with lemon: with lemon juice [wɪθ ˈlɛmən]
• or: alternative [ər]
• with salt: with salt [wɪθ sɔlt]

''How do you feel, hand?'' he asked the cramped hand that was almost as stiff as rigor mortis. ''I'll eat some more for you.''

• How do you feel, hand: asking about the hand's condition [haʊ du ju fil hænd]
• he asked: he inquired [hi æst]
• the cramped hand: the hand experiencing muscle spasms or tightness [ðə kræmpt hænd]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the hand [ðət]
• was almost as stiff as rigor mortis: nearly as rigid as the stiffening of muscles after death [wɑz ˈɔlˌmoʊst ɛz stɪf ɛz ˈrɪgər ˈmɔrtɪs]
• I'll eat some more for you: I will consume more on your behalf [aɪl it səm mɔr fər ju]

He ate the other part of the piece that he had cut in two.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned or understood in the context [hi]
• ate: past tense of 'eat'; consumed food [eɪt]
• the other part: the remaining portion [ðə ˈəðər pɑrt]
• of the piece: of the fragment [əv ðə pis]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the piece [ðət]
• he had cut in two: he had divided into two parts [hi hæd kət ɪn tu]

He chewed it carefully and then spat out the skin.

• He chewed it: He masticated it [hi ʧud ɪt]
• carefully: with attention and precision [ˈkɛrfəli]
• and then: and subsequently [ənd ðɛn]
• spat out: ejected from the mouth [spæt aʊt]
• the skin: the outer covering [ðə skɪn]

''How does it go, hand?

• How does it go, hand: asking about the hand's condition or progress [haʊ dɪz ɪt goʊ hænd]

He took another full piece and chewed it.

• He: refers to a male person or character [hi]
• took: past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]
• another: one more; an additional one [əˈnəðər]
• full: complete; containing as much as possible [fʊl]
• piece: a portion or part of something [pis]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• chewed: past tense of 'chew', meaning to crush with the teeth [ʧud]
• it: refers to the piece [ɪt]

''It is a strong full-blooded fish,'' he thought. ''I was lucky to get him instead of dolphin.

• It: refers to the fish [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]
• a: indefinite article, referring to any strong full-blooded fish [ə]
• strong: having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks [strɔŋ]
• full-blooded: vigorous and powerful [full-blooded]
• fish: an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]
• he: refers to a male person or character [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• lucky: having good fortune [ˈləki]
• to: used to express purpose or intention [tɪ]
• get: to obtain or receive [gɪt]
• him: refers to the fish [ɪm]
• instead: in place of [ˌɪnˈstɛd]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• dolphin: a marine mammal [ˈdɑlfən]

Dolphin is too sweet.

• Dolphin: a marine mammal [ˈdɑlfən]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]
• too: also; excessively [tu]
• sweet: having a sugary taste [swit]