The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 27

There is no sense in being anything but practical though, he thought.

• There: used to indicate existence [ðɛr]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]
• no: not any [noʊ]
• sense: a feeling that something is the case [sɛns]
• in: expressing location or containment [ɪn]
• being: the state of existing [biɪŋ]
• anything: any thing; something [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• but: except; only [bət]
• practical: concerned with the actual use or doing of something [ˈpræktɪkəl]
• though: however; nevertheless [ðoʊ]
• he: refers to a male person or character [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]

I wish I had some salt.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• wish: a feeling of wanting something [wɪʃ]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• had: past tense of 'have', meaning to possess [hæd]
• some: an unspecified amount or number of [səm]
• salt: a white crystalline substance used for seasoning or preserving food [sɔlt]

And I do not know whether the sun will rot or dry what is left, so I had better eat it all although I am not hungry.

• And: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• do: used for emphasis or to form questions [du]
• not: used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• know: to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]
• whether: expressing a doubt or choice between alternatives [ˈwɛðər]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific sun [ðə]
• sun: the star that provides light and heat to Earth [sən]
• will: expressing future tense [wɪl]
• rot: to decay or decompose [rɑt]
• or: used to connect alternatives [ər]
• dry: free from moisture [draɪ]
• what: the thing or things that [wət]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]
• left: remaining [lɛft]
• so: therefore; for that reason [soʊ]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• had: past tense of 'have', meaning to possess [hæd]
• better: more advisable [ˈbɛtər]
• eat: to consume food [it]
• it: refers to the fish [ɪt]
• all: entirely; completely [ɔl]
• although: though; even though [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• am: present tense of 'be' [æm]
• not: used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• hungry: feeling or displaying the need for food [ˈhəŋgri]

The fish is calm and steady.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific fish [ðə]
• fish: an aquatic animal [fɪʃ]
• is: present tense of 'be' [ɪz]
• calm: not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other emotions [kɑm]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• steady: firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving [ˈstɛdi]

I will eat it all and then I will be ready.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• will: expressing future tense [wɪl]
• eat: to consume food [it]
• it: refers to the fish [ɪt]
• all: entirely; completely [ɔl]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• will: expressing future tense [wɪl]
• be: to exist [bi]
• ready: prepared for action or use [ˈrɛdi]

''Be patient, hand,'' he said. ''I do this for you.''

• Be patient, hand: An entreaty to remain calm and composed, directed towards his own hand. The use of "hand" suggests a personified relationship or reliance on it. [bi ˈpeɪʃənt hænd]
• he said: Indicates the speaker and the act of speaking. [hi sɛd]
• I do this for you: A declaration of purpose, stating that the speaker is performing an action for the benefit of the listener (in this case, his hand). [aɪ du ðɪs fər ju]

I wish I could feed the fish, he thought.

• I wish I could feed the fish: Expresses a desire to provide food to the fish, indicating a sense of empathy or connection. [aɪ wɪʃ aɪ kʊd fid ðə fɪʃ]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thought process. [hi θɔt]

He is my brother.

• He is my brother: Establishes a familial bond between the speaker and the fish, highlighting a sense of kinship or emotional connection. [hi ɪz maɪ ˈbrəðər]

But I must kill him and keep strong to do it.

• But I must kill him: A stark contrast to the previous statement, indicating a necessary act of violence despite the emotional connection. [bət aɪ məst kɪl ɪm]
• and keep strong to do it: Justifies the act of killing as a means of maintaining strength or survival. [ənd kip strɔŋ tɪ du ɪt]

Slowly and conscientiously he ate all of the wedge-shaped strips of fish.

• Slowly and conscientiously: Describes the manner in which the speaker performs the action, emphasizing deliberation and careful attention. [sˈloʊli ənd ˌkɑnʧiˈɛnʧəsli]
• he ate all of the wedge-shaped strips of fish: Details the action of consuming the fish, specifying the shape and quantity of the portions. [hi eɪt ɔl əv ðə wedge-shaped strɪps əv fɪʃ]

He straightened up, wiping his hand on his trousers. ''Now,'' he said. ''You can let the cord go, hand, and I will handle him with the right arm alone until you stop that nonsense.'' He put his left foot on the heavy line that the left hand had held and lay back against the pull against his back.

• He straightened up: Describes the action of standing erect, possibly after being in a bent or hunched position. [hi ˈstreɪtənd əp]
• wiping his hand on his trousers: Indicates the action of cleaning his hand by rubbing it against his trousers. [ˈwaɪpɪŋ hɪz hænd ɔn hɪz ˈtraʊzərz]
• Now: An interjection indicating a transition or readiness to proceed. [naʊ]
• he said: Indicates the speaker and the act of speaking. [hi sɛd]
• You can let the cord go, hand: An instruction to release the rope or line, directed towards his own hand. [ju kən lɛt ðə kɔrd goʊ hænd]
• and I will handle him with the right arm alone: A declaration of intent to manage the situation using only his right arm. [ənd aɪ wɪl ˈhændəl ɪm wɪθ ðə raɪt ɑrm əˈloʊn]
• until you stop that nonsense: A condition for the action, indicating that he will continue until the hand ceases its erratic behavior. [ənˈtɪl ju stɑp ðət ˈnɑnsɛns]
• He put his left foot on the heavy line: Describes the action of placing his left foot on the thick rope or line. [hi pʊt hɪz lɛft fʊt ɔn ðə ˈhɛvi laɪn]
• that the left hand had held: Specifies the line that was previously held by his left hand. [ðət ðə lɛft hænd hæd hɛld]
• and lay back against the pull against his back: Describes the action of reclining backward, resisting the force pulling against his back. [ənd leɪ bæk əˈgɛnst ðə pʊl əˈgɛnst hɪz bæk]

''God help me to have the cramp go,'' he said. ''Because I do not know what the fish is going to do.''

• God help me: An invocation or plea to God for assistance [gɑd hɛlp mi]
• to have the cramp go: to get rid of the muscle spasm or cramp [tɪ hæv ðə kræmp goʊ]
• he said: indicates who is speaking [hi sɛd]
• Because I do not know: introducing the reason for the previous statement, indicating a lack of understanding [bɪˈkəz aɪ du nɑt noʊ]
• what the fish is going to do: expressing uncertainty about the fish's next action [wət ðə fɪʃ ɪz goʊɪŋ tɪ du]

But he seems calm, he thought, and following his plan.

• But he seems calm: Observing that the subject appears tranquil [bət hi simz kɑm]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thought [hi θɔt]
• and following his plan: Suggesting the subject is adhering to a strategy [ənd ˈfɑloʊɪŋ hɪz plæn]

But what is his plan, he thought.

• But what is his plan: Questioning the subject's strategy [bət wət ɪz hɪz plæn]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thought [hi θɔt]

And what is mine?

• And what is mine: Questioning the speaker's own strategy [ənd wət ɪz maɪn]

Mine I must improvise to his because of his great size.

• Mine I must improvise: The speaker needs to create a plan on the spot [maɪn aɪ məst ˌɪmprəˈvaɪz]
• to his: In relation to the subject's plan [tɪ hɪz]
• because of his great size: Due to the subject's large dimensions [bɪˈkəz əv hɪz greɪt saɪz]

If he will jump I can kill him.

• If he will jump: Conditional statement about the subject jumping [ɪf hi wɪl ʤəmp]
• I can kill him: Expressing the ability to defeat the subject if it jumps [aɪ kən kɪl ɪm]

But he stays down forever.

• But he stays down forever: The subject remains submerged indefinitely [bət hi steɪz daʊn fərˈɛvər]

Then I will stay down with him forever.

• Then I will stay down with him forever: The speaker will remain submerged with the subject indefinitely [ðɛn aɪ wɪl steɪ daʊn wɪθ ɪm fərˈɛvər]

He rubbed the cramped hand against his trousers and tried to gentle the fingers.

• He rubbed the cramped hand: The character massaged their hand affected by a muscle spasm [hi rəbd ðə kræmpt hænd]
• against his trousers: Rubbing the hand on their pants [əˈgɛnst hɪz ˈtraʊzərz]
• and tried to gentle the fingers: Attempting to relax and soothe the fingers [ənd traɪd tɪ ˈʤɛnəl ðə ˈfɪŋgərz]

But it would not open.

• But it would not open: The hand remained clenched [bət ɪt wʊd nɑt ˈoʊpən]

Maybe it will open with the sun, he thought.

• Maybe it will open with the sun: Perhaps the hand will relax as the day warms up [ˈmeɪbi ɪt wɪl ˈoʊpən wɪθ ðə sən]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thought [hi θɔt]

Maybe it will open when the strong raw tuna is digested.

• Maybe it will open when the strong raw tuna is digested: Perhaps the hand will relax after the character digests the tuna [ˈmeɪbi ɪt wɪl ˈoʊpən wɪn ðə strɔŋ rɑ ˈtunə ɪz ˈdaɪˌʤɛstɪd]

If I have to have it, I will open it, cost whatever it costs.

• If I have to have it: If it becomes necessary [ɪf aɪ hæv tɪ hæv ɪt]
• I will open it: The character will force the hand open [aɪ wɪl ˈoʊpən ɪt]
• cost whatever it costs: Regardless of the consequences [kɔst ˌwəˈtɛvər ɪt kɔsts]

But I do not want to open it now by force.

• But I do not want to open it now by force: The character prefers not to force the hand open at this moment [bət aɪ du nɑt wɔnt tɪ ˈoʊpən ɪt naʊ baɪ fɔrs]

Let it open by itself and come back of its own accord.

• Let it open by itself: Allow the hand to open naturally [lɛt ɪt ˈoʊpən baɪ ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• and come back of its own accord: And regain its normal function without intervention [ənd kəm bæk əv ɪts oʊn əˈkɔrd]

After all I abused it much in the night when it was necessary to free and untie the various lines.

• After all I abused it much in the night: Considering the rough handling the hand endured the previous night [ˈæftər ɔl aɪ əˈbjuzd ɪt məʧ ɪn ðə naɪt]
• when it was necessary to free and untie the various lines: When it was required to release and untangle the different ropes [wɪn ɪt wɑz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri tɪ fri ənd ənˈtaɪ ðə ˈvɛriəs laɪnz]

He looked across the sea and knew how alone he was now.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned or understood [hi]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction [lʊkt]
• across: from one side to the other of something [əˈkrɔs]
• the sea: the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface [ðə si]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• knew: past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [nu]
• how alone: the extent to which he felt isolated or without companionship [haʊ əˈloʊn]
• he was: past tense of 'be', indicating his state of being [hi wɑz]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]

But he could see the prisms in the deep dark water and the line stretching ahead and the strange undulation of the calm.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• he: refers to the same male person or character as before [hi]
• could see: was able to perceive with his eyes [kʊd si]
• the prisms: optical elements that refract light, creating a spectrum of colors [ðə ˈprɪzəmz]
• in: expressing the location or position of something within something else [ɪn]
• the deep dark water: the water that is far from the surface and lacking light [ðə dip dɑrk ˈwɔtər]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• the line: a long, narrow mark or band [ðə laɪn]
• stretching: extending or reaching out [ˈstrɛʧɪŋ]
• ahead: in the direction that one is facing [əˈhɛd]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• the strange undulation: the unusual rising and falling motion or pattern [ðə streɪnʤ undulation]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• the calm: the state of being without wind or disturbance [ðə kɑm]

The clouds were building up now for the trade wind and he looked ahead and saw a flight of wild ducks etching themselves against the sky over the water, then blurring, then etching again and he knew no man was ever alone on the sea.

• The clouds: visible masses of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere [ðə klaʊdz]
• were building up: were accumulating or forming [wər ˈbɪldɪŋ əp]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• for: indicating the reason or purpose of something [fər]
• the trade wind: a wind blowing steadily toward the equator from the northeast in the northern hemisphere or the southeast in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea [ðə treɪd wɪnd]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he: refers to the same male person or character as before [hi]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction [lʊkt]
• ahead: in the direction that one is facing [əˈhɛd]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• saw: past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• a flight of wild ducks: a group of wild ducks flying together [ə flaɪt əv waɪld dəks]
• etching themselves: creating a clear and distinct outline of themselves [ˈɛʧɪŋ ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• against: in opposition to or in contrast with [əˈgɛnst]
• the sky: the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth [ðə skaɪ]
• over: above or higher than something else [ˈoʊvər]
• the water: the liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• blurring: becoming unclear or indistinct [blərɪŋ]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• etching: creating a clear and distinct outline [ˈɛʧɪŋ]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he: refers to the same male person or character as before [hi]
• knew: past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [nu]
• no man: not a single person [noʊ mæn]
• was: past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• ever: at any time; at all times [ˈɛvər]
• alone: without any other people present [əˈloʊn]
• on: expressing the surface on which something is located [ɔn]
• the sea: the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface [ðə si]