The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 46

The old man felt faint and sick and he could not see well.

• The old man: a man of advanced age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• felt faint: experienced a sensation of weakness and dizziness [fɛlt feɪnt]
• and sick: and nauseous [ənd sɪk]
• and he could not see well: his vision was impaired [ənd hi kʊd nɑt si wɛl]

But he cleared the harpoon line and let it run slowly through his raw hands and, when he could see, he saw the fish was on his back with his silver belly up.

• But: however [bət]
• he cleared the harpoon line: he untangled or freed the rope attached to the harpoon [hi klɪrd ðə hɑrˈpun laɪn]
• and let it run slowly: allowed the rope to move gradually [ənd lɛt ɪt rən sˈloʊli]
• through his raw hands: across his injured or chafed hands [θru hɪz rɑ hænz]
• and, when he could see: after his vision cleared [ənd wɪn hi kʊd si]
• he saw the fish: he observed the fish [hi sɔ ðə fɪʃ]
• was on his back: had its belly facing upwards [wɑz ɔn hɪz bæk]
• with his silver belly up: its underside exposed [wɪθ hɪz ˈsɪlvər ˈbɛli əp]

The shaft of the harpoon was projecting at an angle from the fish's shoulder and the sea was discolouring with the red of the blood from his heart.

• The shaft of the harpoon: the pole of the spear [ðə ʃæft əv ðə hɑrˈpun]
• was projecting: was sticking out [wɑz prɑˈʤɛktɪŋ]
• at an angle: not straight; inclined [æt ən ˈæŋgəl]
• from the fish's shoulder: from the area near the fish's pectoral fin [frəm ðə ˈfɪʃɪz ˈʃoʊldər]
• and the sea: the ocean [ənd ðə si]
• was discolouring: was changing color [wɑz discolouring]
• with the red of the blood: due to the presence of blood [wɪθ ðə rɛd əv ðə bləd]
• from his heart: originating from the fish's vital organ [frəm hɪz hɑrt]

First it was dark as a shoal in the blue water that was more than a mile deep.

• First: initially [fərst]
• it was dark: it appeared deep in color [ɪt wɑz dɑrk]
• as a shoal: like a school of fish [ɛz ə shoal]
• in the blue water: within the ocean [ɪn ðə blu ˈwɔtər]
• that was more than a mile deep: which had a depth exceeding one mile [ðət wɑz mɔr ðən ə maɪl dip]

Then it spread like a cloud.

• Then: after that [ðɛn]
• it spread: it expanded [ɪt sprɛd]
• like a cloud: resembling a nebulous mass [laɪk ə klaʊd]

The fish was silvery and still and floated with the waves.

• The fish: the aquatic animal [ðə fɪʃ]
• was silvery: had a silver-like color [wɑz ˈsɪlvəri]
• and still: motionless [ənd stɪl]
• and floated: remained on the surface of the water [ənd ˈfloʊtɪd]
• with the waves: carried by the movement of the water [wɪθ ðə weɪvz]

The old man looked carefully in the glimpse of vision that he had.

• 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]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction or to observe [lʊkt]
• carefully: in a cautious and thorough manner [ˈkɛrfəli]
• in: preposition indicating location or direction [ɪn]
• the glimpse: a brief or incomplete view [ðə glɪmps]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]
• vision: the ability to see; sight [ˈvɪʒən]
• that: relative pronoun referring to the glimpse of vision [ðət]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]

Then he took two turns of the harpoon line around the bitt in the bow and hid his head on his hands.

• Then: adverb indicating sequence or time [ðɛn]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• took: past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]
• two: the number 2 [tu]
• turns: instances of winding or rotating something [tərnz]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific harpoon line [ðə]
• harpoon line: the rope attached to a harpoon [hɑrˈpun laɪn]
• around: preposition indicating movement in a circular direction [əraʊnd]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific bitt [ðə]
• bitt: a post on a boat for fastening ropes [bitt]
• in: preposition indicating location [ɪn]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific bow [ðə]
• bow: the front part of a boat [boʊ]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• hid: past tense of 'hide', meaning to conceal oneself [hɪd]
• his: possessive pronoun referring to the old man [hɪz]
• head: the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]
• on: preposition indicating placement [ɔn]
• his: possessive pronoun referring to the old man [hɪz]
• hands: the terminal part of the arm, used for grasping [hænz]

''Keep my head dear,'' he said against the wood of the bow. ''I am a tired old man.

• Keep: an exclamation or request to maintain or protect something [kip]
• my: possessive pronoun, indicating belonging to the speaker [maɪ]
• head: the upper part of the body, containing the brain [hɛd]
• dear: term of endearment [dɪr]
• he: pronoun referring to the old man [hi]
• said: past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]
• against: in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific wood [ðə]
• wood: the material of which trees are made [wʊd]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or connection [əv]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific bow [ðə]
• bow: the front part of a boat [boʊ]
• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• am: first-person singular present of 'be' [æm]
• a: indefinite article, introducing a noun [ə]
• tired: feeling weary or exhausted [taɪərd]
• old: advanced in age [oʊld]
• man: an adult male human [mæn]

Now I must prepare the nooses and the rope to lash him alongside, he thought.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• must: auxiliary verb expressing obligation [məst]
• prepare: to make ready [priˈpɛr]
• the: definite article, referring to specific nooses [ðə]
• nooses: loops with a running knot [nooses]
• and: conjunction connecting two nouns [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to specific rope [ðə]
• rope: a thick cord made of twisted strands [roʊp]
• to: preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]
• lash: to tie or fasten securely [læʃ]
• him: pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]
• alongside: next to or parallel with [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd]
• he: pronoun referring to the speaker [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]

Even if we were two and swamped her to load him and bailed her out, this skiff would never hold him.

• Even: used to emphasize something unexpected [ˈivɪn]
• if: conjunction introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• we: pronoun referring to the speaker and others [wi]
• were: past tense of 'be' [wər]
• two: the number 2 [tu]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• swamped: flooded with water [swɔmpt]
• her: pronoun referring to the skiff [hər]
• to: preposition indicating purpose [tɪ]
• load: to put a load on or in [loʊd]
• him: pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• bailed: removed water from a boat [beɪld]
• her: pronoun referring to the skiff [hər]
• out: away from the inside [aʊt]
• this: demonstrative pronoun, referring to something nearby [ðɪs]
• skiff: a small boat [skɪf]
• would: auxiliary verb expressing possibility [wʊd]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• hold: to contain or accommodate [hoʊld]
• him: pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]

I must prepare everything, then bring him in and lash him well and step the mast and set sail for home.

• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• must: auxiliary verb expressing obligation [məst]
• prepare: to make ready [priˈpɛr]
• everything: all things; all items [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• then: after that; next [ðɛn]
• bring: to take or go with someone or something to a place [brɪŋ]
• him: pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]
• in: to a specific place [ɪn]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• lash: to tie or fasten securely [læʃ]
• him: pronoun referring to the fish [ɪm]
• well: thoroughly; securely [wɛl]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• step: to erect or set up [stɛp]
• the: definite article, referring to a specific mast [ðə]
• mast: a tall upright post on a boat [mæst]
• and: conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• set: to put in a specified position [sɛt]
• sail: a piece of material extended to catch the wind [seɪl]
• for: preposition indicating purpose or direction [fər]
• home: the place where one lives [hoʊm]

He started to pull the fish in to have him alongside so that he could pass a line through his gills and out his mouth and make his head fast alongside the bow.

• He: refers to the subject, likely a fisherman [hi]
• started: began an action [ˈstɑrtɪd]
• to pull: to exert force to bring something closer [tɪ pʊl]
• the fish: the marine animal being caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• in: towards the boat or shore [ɪn]
• to have him: in order to get the fish [tɪ hæv ɪm]
• alongside: next to the boat [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd]
• so that: in order that [soʊ ðət]
• he could: the fisherman was able to [hi kʊd]
• pass: thread or put through [pæs]
• a line: a rope or cord [ə laɪn]
• through his gills: through the fish's breathing organs [θru hɪz gɪlz]
• and out his mouth: exiting from the fish's mouth [ənd aʊt hɪz maʊθ]
• and make his head fast: secure the fish's head [ənd meɪk hɪz hɛd fæst]
• alongside the bow: next to the front of the boat [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd ðə boʊ]

I want to see him, he thought, and to touch and to feel him.

• I want: the fisherman desires [aɪ wɔnt]
• to see him: to look at the fish [tɪ si ɪm]
• he thought: internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]
• and to touch: and to physically make contact with [ənd tɪ təʧ]
• and to feel him: and to experience the sensation of the fish [ənd tɪ fil ɪm]

He is my fortune, he thought.

• He is: the fish represents [hi ɪz]
• my fortune: his luck or wealth [maɪ ˈfɔrʧən]
• he thought: internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]

But that is not why I wish to feel him.

• But: however [bət]
• that is not: that is not [ðət ɪz nɑt]
• why: the reason [waɪ]
• I wish: I desire [aɪ wɪʃ]
• to feel him: to experience the sensation of the fish [tɪ fil ɪm]

I think I felt his heart, he thought.

• I think: the fisherman believes [aɪ θɪŋk]
• I felt: I experienced [aɪ fɛlt]
• his heart: the fish's heart [hɪz hɑrt]
• he thought: internal monologue of the fisherman [hi θɔt]

When I pushed on the harpoon shaft the second time.

• When: at the time that [wɪn]
• I pushed: I exerted force [aɪ pʊʃt]
• on the harpoon shaft: on the pole of the spear [ɔn ðə hɑrˈpun ʃæft]
• the second time: the second instance [ðə ˈsɛkənd taɪm]

Bring him in now and make him fast and get the noose around his tail and another around his middle to bind him to the skiff.

• Bring him in: pull the fish closer [brɪŋ ɪm ɪn]
• now: at this time [naʊ]
• and make him fast: and secure the fish [ənd meɪk ɪm fæst]
• and get: obtain [ənd gɪt]
• the noose: a loop with a running knot [ðə nus]
• around his tail: encircling the fish's tail [əraʊnd hɪz teɪl]
• and another: and another noose [ənd əˈnəðər]
• around his middle: encircling the fish's midsection [əraʊnd hɪz ˈmɪdəl]
• to bind him: to tie the fish [tɪ baɪnd ɪm]
• to the skiff: to the small boat [tɪ ðə skɪf]

''Get to work, old man,'' he said.

• Get to work, old man: An imperative statement, urging someone (the 'old man') to start working. The use of 'old man' can be endearing or slightly disrespectful depending on context and tone. [gɪt tɪ wərk oʊld mæn]
• he: Refers to a male person previously mentioned or understood in the context. [hi]
• said: Past tense of the verb 'say', indicating that someone spoke. [sɛd]

He looked up at the sky and then out to his fish.

• He: Refers to a male person, likely the same one from the previous context. [hi]
• looked up: The action of directing one's gaze upwards. [lʊkt əp]
• at the sky: Specifies the object of the gaze as the sky. [æt ðə skaɪ]
• and then: A conjunction indicating a sequence of events. [ənd ðɛn]
• out to: Indicates direction towards something at a distance. [aʊt tɪ]
• his fish: Refers to a fish that the person possesses or is associated with. [hɪz fɪʃ]

He looked at the sun carefully.

• He: Referring back to the same male person. [hi]
• looked at: The action of directing one's gaze towards something. [lʊkt æt]
• the sun: Specifies the object of the gaze as the sun. [ðə sən]
• carefully: Indicates that the action is performed with attention and caution. [ˈkɛrfəli]

It is not much more than noon, he thought.

• It: Refers to something previously mentioned or understood, likely the time or the position of the sun. [ɪt]
• is not much more than: Indicates that something is only slightly greater than a certain amount. [ɪz nɑt məʧ mɔr ðən]
• noon: The middle of the day, 12:00 PM. [nun]
• he: Referring back to the same male person. [hi]
• thought: Indicates an internal reflection or consideration. [θɔt]

And the trade wind is rising.

• And: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]
• the trade wind: A wind blowing steadily towards the equator from the northeast in the northern hemisphere or the southeast in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea. [ðə treɪd wɪnd]
• is rising: Indicates that the wind is increasing in strength or intensity. [ɪz ˈraɪzɪŋ]

The lines all mean nothing now.

• The lines: Refers to ropes or cords, likely used for fishing. [ðə laɪnz]
• all: Indicates that all of the lines are being referred to. [ɔl]
• mean nothing: Indicates that the lines are currently useless or irrelevant. [min ˈnəθɪŋ]
• now: Indicates the present time or situation. [naʊ]