The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 31

I wish he'd sleep and I could sleep and dream about the lions, he thought.

• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• wish: Feel or express a strong desire or hope for something that is not easily attainable [wɪʃ]
• he'd: Contraction of 'he would', expressing a conditional or habitual action [hid]
• sleep: A condition of rest for the body and mind [slip]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• I: The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• could: Past tense of 'can', expressing possibility or ability in the past or conditionally [kʊd]
• sleep: A condition of rest for the body and mind [slip]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• dream: A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep [drim]
• about: Concerning or regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific lions [ðə]
• lions: Large wild cats. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the following statement [laɪənz]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', indicating a thought process [θɔt]

Why are the lions the main thing that is left?

• Why: For what reason or purpose [waɪ]
• are: Present tense of the verb 'to be', linking the subject to a description [ər]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific lions [ðə]
• lions: Large wild cats [laɪənz]
• the: Definite article, referring to the main thing [ðə]
• main: Chief in importance, size, or degree [meɪn]
• thing: An object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to [θɪŋ]
• that: Referring to the main thing [ðət]
• is: Present tense of the verb 'to be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• left: Remaining after others have been removed or used [lɛft]

Don't think, old man, he said to himself, Rest gently now against the wood and think of nothing.

• Don't: Contraction of 'do not', expressing a negative command or request [doʊnt]
• think: Have a particular belief or idea. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the following statement [θɪŋk]
• old: Having lived for a long time; elderly [oʊld]
• man: An adult male human being. The comma indicates a pause or separation from the following statement [mæn]
• he: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the words were spoken [sɛd]
• to: Expressing direction or location [tɪ]
• himself: Referring to the same person as the subject [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• Rest: Cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength [rɛst]
• gently: In a careful and quiet way [ˈʤɛntli]
• now: At the present time or moment [naʊ]
• against: In opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific wood [ðə]
• wood: The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of a tree or shrub [wʊd]
• and: Used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• think: Have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• of: Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• nothing: Not at all; to no extent [ˈnəθɪŋ]

He is working.

• He: Referring to a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• is: Present tense of the verb 'to be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• working: Engaged in activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [ˈwərkɪŋ]

Work as little as you can.

• Work: Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]
• as: To the degree or extent that [ɛz]
• little: Small in size, amount, or degree [ˈlɪtəl]
• as: To the degree or extent that [ɛz]
• you: The person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]
• can: Expressing possibility or ability [kən]

It was getting into the afternoon and the boat still moved slowly and steadily.

• It: refers to the situation or time [ɪt]
• was getting into: progressing towards; approaching [wɑz ˈgɪtɪŋ ˈɪntu]
• the afternoon: the period of the day between noon and evening [ðə ˌæftərˈnun]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the boat: a watercraft designed to float and transport people or goods [ðə boʊt]
• still: even now; continuing to [stɪl]
• moved: proceeded; traveled [muvd]
• slowly: at a low speed [sˈloʊli]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• steadily: in a consistent and regular manner [ˈstɛdəli]

But there was an added drag now from the easterly breeze and the old man rode gently with the small sea and the hurt of the cord across his back came to him easily and smoothly.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• there: used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'is'; indicates existence or a state of being [wɑz]
• an added drag: an additional force slowing something down [ən ˈædɪd dræg]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• from: indicating the source or cause of something [frəm]
• the easterly breeze: a gentle wind blowing from the east [ðə ˈistərli briz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• rode: maintained his position; coped with [roʊd]
• gently: in a mild and careful manner [ˈʤɛntli]
• with: in the company of; along with [wɪθ]
• the small sea: a slightly choppy or rough area of the ocean [ðə smɔl si]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the hurt: the pain or discomfort [ðə hərt]
• of: indicating possession, origin, or association [əv]
• the cord: a thick string or thin rope [ðə kɔrd]
• across: extending from one side to the other of [əˈkrɔs]
• his back: the rear surface of his body from the shoulders to the hips [hɪz bæk]
• came: moved towards; approached [keɪm]
• to him: towards himself [tɪ ɪm]
• easily: without difficulty [ˈizəli]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• smoothly: in a fluid and even manner [sˈmuðli]

Once in the afternoon the line started to rise again.

• Once: on one occasion [wəns]
• in the afternoon: during the period of the day between noon and evening [ɪn ðə ˌæftərˈnun]
• the line: the fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• started: began [ˈstɑrtɪd]
• to rise: to move upwards [tɪ raɪz]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]

But the fish only continued to swim at a slightly higher level.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• the fish: the marine animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• only: merely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• continued: persisted; kept on [kənˈtɪnjud]
• to swim: to propel itself through water [tɪ swɪm]
• at: indicating a location or point [æt]
• a slightly: to a small degree [ə sˈlaɪtli]
• higher: more elevated [haɪər]
• level: position or height [ˈlɛvəl]

The sun was on the old man's left arm and shoulder and on his back.

• The sun: the star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]
• was: past tense of 'is'; indicates existence or a state of being [wɑz]
• on: indicating a surface or position [ɔn]
• the old man's: belonging to the old man [ðə oʊld mænz]
• left arm: the arm on the left side of his body [lɛft ɑrm]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• shoulder: the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm [ˈʃoʊldər]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• on: indicating a surface or position [ɔn]
• his back: the rear surface of his body from the shoulders to the hips [hɪz bæk]

So he knew the fish had turned east of north.

• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• he: the old man [hi]
• knew: was aware; understood [nu]
• the fish: the marine animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• had turned: had changed direction [hæd tərnd]
• east of north: in a direction slightly east of due north [ist əv nɔrθ]

Now that he had seen him once, he could picture the fish swimming in the water with his purple pectoral fins set wide as wings and the great erect tail slicing through the dark.

• Now that: since; because [naʊ ðət]
• he: the old man [hi]
• had seen: had visually perceived [hæd sin]
• him: the fish [ɪm]
• once: one time [wəns]
• he: the old man [hi]
• could picture: could imagine; visualize [kʊd ˈpɪkʧər]
• the fish: the marine animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• swimming: propelling itself through water [sˈwɪmɪŋ]
• in: located within [ɪn]
• the water: the liquid surrounding the fish [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• with: having; possessing [wɪθ]
• his purple: having a purple color [hɪz ˈpərpəl]
• pectoral fins: fins located on the chest of the fish [ˈpɛktərəl fɪnz]
• set wide: extended fully [sɛt waɪd]
• as: like; in the manner of [ɛz]
• wings: appendages used for flying [wɪŋz]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the great: large; impressive [ðə greɪt]
• erect: upright; vertical [ɪˈrɛkt]
• tail: the appendage at the rear of the fish [teɪl]
• slicing: cutting through [sˈlaɪsɪŋ]
• through: passing through [θru]
• the dark: the darkness of the deep water [ðə dɑrk]

I wonder how much he sees at that depth, the old man thought.

• I: the old man [aɪ]
• wonder: to be curious or in doubt about something [ˈwəndər]
• how much: to what extent [haʊ məʧ]
• he: the fish [hi]
• sees: perceives with its eyes [siz]
• at: indicating a location or point [æt]
• that depth: that level below the surface [ðət dɛpθ]
• the old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• thought: had a thought [θɔt]

His eye is huge and a horse, with much less eye, can see in the dark.

• His eye: the fish's eye [hɪz aɪ]
• is: is; indicates existence or a state of being [ɪz]
• huge: extremely large [juʤ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• a horse: a large, four-legged animal [ə hɔrs]
• with: having; possessing [wɪθ]
• much less: a significantly smaller amount of [məʧ lɛs]
• eye: eyesight; vision [aɪ]
• can see: is able to see [kən si]
• in the dark: in the absence of light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]

Once I could see quite well in the dark.

• Once: at one time in the past [wəns]
• I: the old man [aɪ]
• could see: was able to see [kʊd si]
• quite well: very well; clearly [kwaɪt wɛl]
• in the dark: in the absence of light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]

Not in the absolute dark.

• Not: not; used to negate a statement [nɑt]
• in: indicating a location or point [ɪn]
• the absolute dark: complete darkness; total absence of light [ðə ˈæbsəˌlut dɑrk]

But almost as a cat sees.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• almost: nearly; practically [ˈɔlˌmoʊst]
• as: like; in the same way as [ɛz]
• a cat: a feline animal [ə kæt]
• sees: perceives with its eyes [siz]

The sun and his steady movement of his fingers had uncramped his left hand now completely and he began to shift more of the strain to it and he shrugged the muscles of his back to shift the hurt of the cord a little.

• The sun: the star that provides light and warmth to the Earth [ðə sən]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• steady: constant; not fluctuating [ˈstɛdi]
• movement: an act of changing physical location or position [ˈmuvmənt]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• fingers: the digits of the hand [ˈfɪŋgərz]
• had uncramped: had relieved from a cramp or spasm [hæd uncramped]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• left hand: the hand on the left side of the body [lɛft hænd]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• completely: totally; entirely [kəmˈplitli]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• began: started [bɪˈgæn]
• to shift: to move or transfer [tɪ ʃɪft]
• more: a greater amount or degree [mɔr]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• the strain: a force tending to cause deformation or damage [ðə streɪn]
• to: preposition indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• it: referring to the left hand [ɪt]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• shrugged: raised (the shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference [ʃrəgd]
• the muscles: bodily tissues consisting of contractile cells or fibers that affect movement of an organ or part of the body [ðə ˈməsəlz]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• his: belonging to him [hɪz]
• back: the posterior part of the human body extending from the shoulders to the hips [bæk]
• to shift: to move or transfer [tɪ ʃɪft]
• the hurt: the pain or injury [ðə hərt]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• the cord: a length of twisted or woven together strands [ðə kɔrd]
• a little: a small amount [ə ˈlɪtəl]

''If you're not tired, fish,'' he said aloud, ''you must be very strange.''

• If: Conditional conjunction introducing a hypothetical situation [ɪf]
• you're: Contraction of 'you are' [jʊr]
• not tired: Feeling no need for rest or sleep [nɑt taɪərd]
• fish: Addressing the fish [fɪʃ]
• he: The man [hi]
• said: Spoke [sɛd]
• aloud: In a voice loud enough to be heard [əˈlaʊd]
• you: The fish [ju]
• must be: Expressing necessity or obligation [məst bi]
• very strange: Unusual or odd [ˈvɛri streɪnʤ]

He felt very tired now and he knew the night would come soon and he tried to think of other things.

• He: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• felt: experienced through sensation [fɛlt]
• very tired: in need of rest or sleep [ˈvɛri taɪərd]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• knew: was aware of [nu]
• the night: the period from sunset to sunrise [ðə naɪt]
• would come: was going to arrive [wʊd kəm]
• soon: in or after a short time [sun]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• tried: made an attempt or effort to do something [traɪd]
• to think: to use one's mind actively to form connected ideas [tɪ θɪŋk]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• other things: different or additional matters [ˈəðər θɪŋz]

He thought of the Big Leagues, to him they were the Gran Ligas, and he knew that the Yankees of New York were playing the Tigres of Detroit.

• He: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• thought: had an opinion or belief; considered [θɔt]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• the Big Leagues: the major professional sports leagues [ðə bɪg ligz]
• to: preposition expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• him: the male person previously mentioned [ɪm]
• they: referring to the Big Leagues [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of 'are' [wər]
• the Gran Ligas: Spanish for 'the Big Leagues' [ðə græn ˈlaɪgəz]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• knew: was aware of [nu]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the Yankees: a professional baseball team [ðə ˈjæŋkiz]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• New York: a city in the United States [nu jɔrk]
• were playing: were engaged in a game against [wər pleɪɪŋ]
• the Tigres: Spanish for 'the Tigers', a professional baseball team [ðə tigres]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• Detroit: a city in the United States [ˈdiˌtrɔɪt]

This is the second day now that I do not know the result of the juegos, he thought.

• This: refers to something near or present [ðɪs]
• is: present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• the second day: the day after the first day; the next day in a sequence [ðə ˈsɛkənd deɪ]
• now: at the present time; currently [naʊ]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• do not know: to lack knowledge or understanding of something [du nɑt noʊ]
• the result: the outcome or consequence of something [ðə rɪˈzəlt]
• of the juegos: of the games (Spanish [əv ðə juegos]
• he thought: indicates the character's internal thought [hi θɔt]

But I must have confidence and I must be worthy of the great DiMaggio who does all things perfectly even with the pain of the bone spur in his heel.

• But: introduces a contrasting statement [bət]
• I must have: indicates obligation or necessity [aɪ məst hæv]
• confidence: the feeling of self-assurance and belief in one's abilities or qualities [ˈkɑnfədɛns]
• and: connects two or more words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• I must be: indicates obligation or necessity to be something [aɪ məst bi]
• worthy: deserving respect, admiration, or support [ˈwərði]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• the great DiMaggio: referring to the famous baseball player Joe DiMaggio [ðə greɪt dɪˈmæʤiˌoʊ]
• who: introduces a relative clause [hu]
• does: performs an action [dɪz]
• all things: every action or task [ɔl θɪŋz]
• perfectly: in a flawless manner [ˈpərfəktli]
• even with: despite or in spite of [ˈivɪn wɪθ]
• the pain: physical suffering or discomfort [ðə peɪn]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• the bone spur: a bony growth that forms on normal bone [ðə boʊn spər]
• in his heel: located in the back part of the foot [ɪn hɪz hil]

What is a bone spur?

• What: used to ask for information about something [wət]
• is: present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• a bone spur: a bony growth that forms on normal bone [ə boʊn spər]

he asked himself.

• he asked himself: indicates the character's internal question [hi æst hɪmˈsɛlf]

Un espuela de hueso.

• Un espuela de hueso: A bone spur (Spanish [ˈjuˈɛn espuela də hueso]

We do not have them.

• We: refers to a group including the speaker [wi]
• do not have: to lack possession of something [du nɑt hæv]
• them: referring to bone spurs [ðɛm]

Can it be as painful as the spur of a fighting cock in one's heel?

• Can: used to express possibility or ability [kən]
• it: refers to the bone spur [ɪt]
• be: used to indicate a state or condition [bi]
• as painful: to the same degree of pain [ɛz ˈpeɪnfəl]
• as: used to make comparisons [ɛz]
• the spur: a sharp object worn on a rider's heel and used to urge on a horse [ðə spər]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• a fighting cock: a rooster trained for cockfighting [ə ˈfaɪtɪŋ kɑk]
• in one's heel: located in the back part of the foot [ɪn wənz hil]

I do not think I could endure that or the loss of the eye and of both eyes and continue to fight as the fighting cocks do.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• do not think: to lack belief or opinion [du nɑt θɪŋk]
• I could endure: to be able to withstand or tolerate something [aɪ kʊd ɪnˈdʊr]
• that: referring to the pain of a cock's spur [ðət]
• or: used to connect alternatives [ər]
• the loss: the act or instance of losing something [ðə lɔs]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• the eye: the organ of sight [ðə aɪ]
• and: connects two or more words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• both eyes: two eyes [boʊθ aɪz]
• and: connects two or more words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• continue: to persist or keep doing something [kənˈtɪnju]
• to fight: to engage in a physical struggle [tɪ faɪt]
• as: in the same way or manner as [ɛz]
• the fighting cocks: roosters trained for cockfighting [ðə ˈfaɪtɪŋ kɑks]
• do: used to refer back to a verb already mentioned [du]

Man is not much beside the great birds and beasts.

• Man: human being [mæn]
• is not much: not significant or important [ɪz nɑt məʧ]
• beside: compared to [ˌbiˈsaɪd]
• the great birds and beasts: large or impressive animals and birds [ðə greɪt bərdz ənd bists]

Still I would rather be that beast down there in the darkness of the sea.

• Still: nevertheless; despite that [stɪl]
• I would rather be: expresses preference [aɪ wʊd ˈrəðər bi]
• that beast: referring to an animal [ðət bist]
• down there: in that place; below [daʊn ðɛr]
• in: expressing location or position [ɪn]
• the darkness: the state of being dark or without light [ðə ˈdɑrknəs]
• of: expressing the relationship between two things [əv]
• the sea: the ocean [ðə si]