The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 34

Just before it was dark, as they passed a great island of Sargasso weed that heaved and swung in the light sea as though the ocean were making love with something under a yellow blanket, his small line was taken by a dolphin.

• Just before: Immediately preceding [ʤɪst ˌbiˈfɔr]
• it was dark: the time when daylight ends and night begins [ɪt wɑz dɑrk]
• as: used to indicate that something happens during the time that something else is taking place [ɛz]
• they passed: they moved beyond or went by something [ðeɪ pæst]
• a great island: a large mass or area of something, in this case, Sargasso weed [ə greɪt ˈaɪlənd]
• of Sargasso weed: a type of brown seaweed that floats in large masses in the Sargasso Sea [əv sɑrˈgæsoʊ wid]
• that heaved and swung: moved up and down and back and forth with considerable force [ðət hivd ənd swəŋ]
• in the light sea: in the gently moving ocean [ɪn ðə laɪt si]
• as though: as if; suggesting a comparison or likeness [ɛz ðoʊ]
• the ocean were making love: a poetic way of describing the gentle, rhythmic movement of the ocean, suggesting a tender interaction [ðə ˈoʊʃən wər ˈmeɪkɪŋ ləv]
• with something: an unspecified object or entity [wɪθ ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• under a yellow blanket: referring to the Sargasso weed, which appears as a yellow covering on the water's surface [ˈəndər ə ˈjɛloʊ ˈblæŋkɪt]
• his small line: his fishing line, which is not very strong [hɪz smɔl laɪn]
• was taken: was caught or seized [wɑz ˈteɪkən]
• by a dolphin: by a marine mammal, a type of cetacean [baɪ ə ˈdɑlfən]

He saw it first when it jumped in the air, true gold in the last of the sun and bending and flapping wildly in the air.

• He saw it first: He noticed the dolphin for the first time [hi sɔ ɪt fərst]
• when it jumped: at the moment it leaped out of the water [wɪn ɪt ʤəmpt]
• in the air: above the surface of the water [ɪn ðə ɛr]
• true gold: genuinely golden in color [tru goʊld]
• in the last of the sun: during the final moments of sunlight [ɪn ðə læst əv ðə sən]
• and bending and flapping: moving its body and fins in a contorted and agitated manner [ənd ˈbɛndɪŋ ənd ˈflæpɪŋ]
• wildly: in an uncontrolled or frantic way [ˈwaɪldli]
• in the air: above the surface of the water [ɪn ðə ɛr]

It jumped again and again in the acrobatics of its fear and he worked his way back to the stern and crouching and holding the big line with his right hand and arm, he pulled the dolphin in with his left hand, stepping on the gained line each time with his bare left foot.

• It jumped again and again: It leaped repeatedly [ɪt ʤəmpt əˈgɛn ənd əˈgɛn]
• in the acrobatics: displaying agile and spectacular movements [ɪn ðə ˌækrəˈbætɪks]
• of its fear: motivated by its terror [əv ɪts fɪr]
• and he worked his way back: he moved carefully and deliberately towards the rear of the boat [ənd hi wərkt hɪz weɪ bæk]
• to the stern: the rear part of a boat [tɪ ðə stərn]
• and crouching: bending low with knees close to the ground [ənd ˈkraʊʧɪŋ]
• and holding: gripping firmly [ənd ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• the big line: the main fishing line, presumably stronger than the small line [ðə bɪg laɪn]
• with his right hand and arm: using his right hand and arm for strength and control [wɪθ hɪz raɪt hænd ənd ɑrm]
• he pulled the dolphin in: he reeled the dolphin closer to the boat [hi pʊld ðə ˈdɑlfən ɪn]
• with his left hand: using his left hand to assist in pulling the line [wɪθ hɪz lɛft hænd]
• stepping on: placing his foot on [ˈstɛpɪŋ ɔn]
• the gained line: the portion of the line that had been reeled in [ðə geɪnd laɪn]
• each time: every instance [iʧ taɪm]
• with his bare left foot: with his left foot uncovered [wɪθ hɪz bɛr lɛft fʊt]

When the fish was at the stem, plunging and cutting from side to side in desperation, the old man leaned over the stern and lifted the burnished gold fish with its purple spots over the stem.

• When the fish was at the stem: When the dolphin was close to the front of the boat [wɪn ðə fɪʃ wɑz æt ðə stɛm]
• plunging and cutting: moving violently and erratically [ˈplənʤɪŋ ənd ˈkətɪŋ]
• from side to side: in alternating directions [frəm saɪd tɪ saɪd]
• in desperation: showing a loss of hope and acting rashly [ɪn ˌdɛspərˈeɪʃɪn]
• the old man leaned over: the old man bent his body forward [ðə oʊld mæn lind ˈoʊvər]
• the stern: the rear part of the boat [ðə stərn]
• and lifted: raised upwards [ənd ˈlɪftɪd]
• the burnished gold fish: the dolphin, appearing golden and shiny [ðə ˈbərnɪʃt goʊld fɪʃ]
• with its purple spots: having markings of a purple color [wɪθ ɪts ˈpərpəl spɑts]
• over the stem: across the front of the boat [ˈoʊvər ðə stɛm]

Its jaws were working convulsively in quick bites against the hook and it pounded the bottom of the skiff with its long flat body, its tail and its head until he clubbed it across the shining golden head until it shivered and was still.

• Its jaws were working: Its mouth was moving [ɪts ʤɔz wər ˈwərkɪŋ]
• convulsively: in an uncontrolled, spasmodic manner [convulsively]
• in quick bites: making rapid, snapping motions with its mouth [ɪn kwɪk baɪts]
• against the hook: trying to dislodge the hook from its mouth [əˈgɛnst ðə hʊk]
• and it pounded: it struck repeatedly with force [ənd ɪt ˈpaʊndɪd]
• the bottom of the skiff: the floor of the small boat [ðə ˈbɑtəm əv ðə skɪf]
• with its long flat body: using its elongated, flattened form [wɪθ ɪts lɔŋ flæt ˈbɑdi]
• its tail and its head: using both its tail and head to strike [ɪts teɪl ənd ɪts hɛd]
• until he clubbed it: until he struck it with a heavy object [ənˈtɪl hi kləbd ɪt]
• across the shining golden head: on its head, which appeared golden and bright [əˈkrɔs ðə ˈʃaɪnɪŋ ˈgoʊldən hɛd]
• until it shivered: until it trembled or shook [ənˈtɪl ɪt ˈʃɪvərd]
• and was still: and stopped moving [ənd wɑz stɪl]

The old man unhooked the fish, re-baited the line with another sardine and tossed it over.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old: Advanced in years; having lived for a long time [oʊld]
• man: An adult male human [mæn]
• unhooked: Released from a hook [unhooked]
• the fish: A specific fish that was caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• re-baited: Put bait on (a hook) again [re-baited]
• the line: The fishing line [ðə laɪn]
• with: Using [wɪθ]
• another: One more; an additional [əˈnəðər]
• sardine: A small, oily fish [sɑrˈdin]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• tossed: Threw lightly [tɔst]
• it: Referring to the baited line [ɪt]
• over: Into the water [ˈoʊvər]

Then he worked his way slowly back to the bow.

• Then: Next in order of time [ðɛn]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• worked: Moved gradually [wərkt]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• way: Path or direction [weɪ]
• slowly: At a slow pace [sˈloʊli]
• back: Towards the rear [bæk]
• to: In the direction of [tɪ]
• the bow: The front part of the boat [ðə boʊ]

He washed his left hand and wiped it on his trousers.

• He: Referring to the old man [hi]
• washed: Cleaned with water [wɑʃt]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• left: On the left side [lɛft]
• hand: The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• wiped: Dried or cleaned by rubbing [waɪpt]
• it: Referring to his left hand [ɪt]
• on: Onto the surface of [ɔn]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• trousers: An article of clothing covering the legs [ˈtraʊzərz]

Then he shifted the heavy line from his right hand to his left and washed his right hand in the sea while he watched the sun go into the ocean and the slant of the big cord.

• Then: Next in order of time [ðɛn]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• shifted: Moved or transferred [ˈʃɪftɪd]
• the heavy line: The fishing line, which is heavy [ðə ˈhɛvi laɪn]
• from: Indicating the starting point [frəm]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• right: On the right side [raɪt]
• hand: The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• to: Indicating the ending point [tɪ]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• left: On the left side [lɛft]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• washed: Cleaned with water [wɑʃt]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• right: On the right side [raɪt]
• hand: The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• in: Inside [ɪn]
• the sea: The ocean [ðə si]
• while: During the time that [waɪl]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• watched: Observed [wɔʧt]
• the sun: The star that provides light and heat to Earth [ðə sən]
• go: Move or proceed [goʊ]
• into: Towards the inside of [ˈɪntu]
• the ocean: The sea [ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• and: Conjunction connecting two things [ənd]
• the slant: A sloping position [ðə slænt]
• of: Indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the big cord: The thick rope or line [ðə bɪg kɔrd]

''He hasn't changed at all,'' he said.

• He: Referring to someone or something previously mentioned [hi]
• hasn't: Has not; contraction of 'has not' [ˈhæzənt]
• changed: Become different [ʧeɪnʤd]
• at all: In any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• said: Spoke [sɛd]

But watching the movement of the water against his hand he noted that it was perceptibly slower.

• But: However [bət]
• watching: Observing [ˈwɑʧɪŋ]
• the movement: The act of moving [ðə ˈmuvmənt]
• of: Indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the water: The liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• against: In opposition to; touching [əˈgɛnst]
• his: Belonging to him [hɪz]
• hand: The part of the body at the end of the arm [hænd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• noted: Observed; paid attention to [ˈnoʊtɪd]
• that: Introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• it: Referring to the movement of the water [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• perceptibly: Noticeably; in a way that can be perceived [perceptibly]
• slower: Moving at a reduced speed [sloʊər]

''I'll lash the two oars together across the stern and that will slow him in the night,'' he said. ''He's good for the night and so am I.''

• I'll: Contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action by the speaker [aɪl]
• lash: To tie or fasten securely with a rope or cord [læʃ]
• the two oars: Referring to two specific oars, likely used for rowing the boat [ðə tu ɔrz]
• together: Joined or combined [təˈgɛðər]
• across the stern: Positioned from one side to the other at the back of the boat [əˈkrɔs ðə stərn]
• and that will slow him in the night: This action will reduce the speed of the fish during the night [ənd ðət wɪl sloʊ ɪm ɪn ðə naɪt]
• he said: Indicates who is speaking [hi sɛd]
• He's: Contraction of 'He is', referring to the fish [hiz]
• good for the night: Strong or active during the night [gʊd fər ðə naɪt]
• and so am I: And the speaker is also strong or active during the night [ənd soʊ æm aɪ]

It would be better to gut the dolphin a little later to save the blood in the meat, he thought.

• It would be better: It would be a more advantageous or preferable course of action [ɪt wʊd bi ˈbɛtər]
• to gut the dolphin: To remove the internal organs of the dolphin [tɪ gət ðə ˈdɑlfən]
• a little later: At a slightly later time [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈleɪtər]
• to save the blood in the meat: To preserve the blood within the dolphin's flesh [tɪ seɪv ðə bləd ɪn ðə mit]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thought process [hi θɔt]

I can do that a little later and lash the oars to make a drag at the same time.

• I can do that: The speaker is capable of performing the action [aɪ kən du ðət]
• a little later: At a slightly later time [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈleɪtər]
• and lash the oars: To tie the oars securely [ənd læʃ ðə ɔrz]
• to make a drag: To create resistance in the water, slowing the boat [tɪ meɪk ə dræg]
• at the same time: Simultaneously [æt ðə seɪm taɪm]

I had better keep the fish quiet now and not disturb him too much at sunset.

• I had better: It would be wise or advisable for me to [aɪ hæd ˈbɛtər]
• keep the fish quiet now: Avoid disturbing the fish at the present moment [kip ðə fɪʃ kwaɪət naʊ]
• and not disturb him: Avoid agitating the fish [ənd nɑt dɪˈstərb ɪm]
• too much: Excessively [tu məʧ]
• at sunset: During the time when the sun is setting [æt ˈsənˌsɛt]

The setting of the sun is a difficult time for all fish.

• The setting of the sun: The act of the sun descending below the horizon [ðə ˈsɛtɪŋ əv ðə sən]
• is a difficult time: Is a challenging or problematic period [ɪz ə ˈdɪfəkəlt taɪm]
• for all fish: Affecting all types of fish [fər ɔl fɪʃ]

He let his hand dry in the air then grasped the line with it and eased himself as much as he could and allowed himself to be pulled forward against the wood so that the boat took the strain as much, or more, than he did.

• He let his hand dry: He allowed his hand to become dry [hi lɛt hɪz hænd draɪ]
• in the air: Exposed to the open air [ɪn ðə ɛr]
• then grasped the line: Then firmly held the fishing line [ðɛn græspt ðə laɪn]
• with it: Using his hand [wɪθ ɪt]
• and eased himself: And gently adjusted his position [ənd izd hɪmˈsɛlf]
• as much as he could: To the greatest extent possible [ɛz məʧ ɛz hi kʊd]
• and allowed himself: And permitted himself [ənd əˈlaʊd hɪmˈsɛlf]
• to be pulled forward: To be drawn in a forward direction [tɪ bi pʊld ˈfɔrwərd]
• against the wood: In contact with the wooden part of the boat [əˈgɛnst ðə wʊd]
• so that the boat took the strain: So that the boat absorbed the tension or pressure [soʊ ðət ðə boʊt tʊk ðə streɪn]
• as much, or more, than he did: To an equal or greater extent than the speaker did [ɛz məʧ ər mɔr ðən hi dɪd]