The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 47

''Come on, fish,'' he said. But the fish did not come.

• Come on, fish: An encouraging or urging statement directed towards a fish, likely to try and get it to move or cooperate. [kəm ɔn fɪʃ]
• he: Refers to a male person, likely the same one from the previous contexts. [hi]
• the fish: Refers to a fish, likely the one being addressed in the previous statement. [ðə fɪʃ]

Instead he lay there wallowing now in the seas and the old man pulled the skiff upon to him.

• Instead: In place of something else; as an alternative. [ˌɪnˈstɛd]
• he: Referring to the fish. [hi]
• lay: Past tense of 'lie', meaning to be in a horizontal or resting position. [leɪ]
• there: In that place or position. [ðɛr]
• wallowing: Rolling about or lying relaxed in water or mud. [ˈwɑloʊɪŋ]
• now: At the present time. [naʊ]
• in the seas: Located within the ocean. [ɪn ðə siz]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses. [ənd]
• the old man: Referring to an elderly man, likely the protagonist. [ðə oʊld mæn]
• pulled: Past tense of 'pull', meaning to exert force on something to move it towards oneself. [pʊld]
• the skiff: A light rowing boat. [ðə skɪf]
• upon to: onto [əˈpɑn tɪ]

When he was even with him and had the fish's head against the bow he could not believe his size.

• When: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• he: referring to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• even with him: in a position of equality or level with the fish [ˈivɪn wɪθ ɪm]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or holding something [hæd]
• the fish's head: the head of the fish [ðə ˈfɪʃɪz hɛd]
• against: in opposition to or in contact with [əˈgɛnst]
• the bow: the front part of a boat or ship [ðə boʊ]
• he: referring to the same male person as before [hi]
• could not believe: was unable to accept as true or real [kʊd nɑt bɪˈliv]
• his size: the magnitude or dimensions of the fish [hɪz saɪz]

But he untied the harpoon rope from the bitt, passed it through the fish's gills and out his jaws, made a turn around his sword then passed the rope through the other gill, made another turn around the bill and knotted the double rope and made it fast to the bitt in the bow.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said before [bət]
• he: referring to the same male person as before [hi]
• untied: released or unfastened something that was tied [ənˈtaɪd]
• the harpoon rope: the rope attached to the harpoon [ðə hɑrˈpun roʊp]
• from: indicating the place or position where something starts [frəm]
• the bitt: a post on a ship for fastening ropes [ðə bitt]
• passed: moved or extended something in a specified direction [pæst]
• it: referring to the harpoon rope [ɪt]
• through: moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening or channel [θru]
• the fish's gills: the respiratory organs of the fish [ðə ˈfɪʃɪz gɪlz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• out: away from the inside or center [aʊt]
• his jaws: the mouth or oral cavity of the fish [hɪz ʤɔz]
• made: past tense of 'make', indicating the performance of an action [meɪd]
• a turn: a single winding or coil of the rope [ə tərn]
• around: encircling or surrounding something [əraʊnd]
• his sword: the bill or sword-like projection of the fish [hɪz sɔrd]
• then: at that time; also, next in order of time or sequence [ðɛn]
• passed: moved or extended something in a specified direction [pæst]
• the rope: referring to the harpoon rope [ðə roʊp]
• through: moving in one side and out of the other side of (an opening or channel [θru]
• the other gill: the remaining gill of the fish [ðə ˈəðər gɪl]
• made: past tense of 'make', indicating the performance of an action [meɪd]
• another turn: an additional winding or coil of the rope [əˈnəðər tərn]
• around: encircling or surrounding something [əraʊnd]
• the bill: the bill or sword-like projection of the fish [ðə bɪl]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• knotted: tied in a knot [ˈnɑtɪd]
• the double rope: the rope that is doubled over [ðə ˈdəbəl roʊp]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• made: past tense of 'make', indicating the performance of an action [meɪd]
• it: referring to the double rope [ɪt]
• fast: securely fixed or attached [fæst]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the bitt: a post on a ship for fastening ropes [ðə bitt]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the bow: the front part of a boat or ship [ðə boʊ]

He cut the rope then and went astern to noose the tail.

• He: referring to the same male person as before [hi]
• cut: past tense of 'cut', indicating the action of dividing or severing something [kət]
• the rope: referring to another rope, different from the harpoon rope [ðə roʊp]
• then: at that time; also, next in order of time or sequence [ðɛn]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• went: past tense of 'go', indicating movement or travel [wɛnt]
• astern: toward the back of a boat or ship [astern]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• noose: to secure with a loop or noose [nus]
• the tail: the tail of the fish [ðə teɪl]

The fish had turned silver from his original purple and silver, and the stripes showed the same pale violet colour as his tail.

• The fish: the fish that was caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• had turned: changed in color [hæd tərnd]
• silver: a silvery color [ˈsɪlvər]
• from: indicating the place or position where something starts [frəm]
• his original: the initial or previous color [hɪz ərˈɪʤənəl]
• purple: a purple color [ˈpərpəl]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• silver: a silvery color [ˈsɪlvər]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the stripes: the bands or lines on the fish [ðə straɪps]
• showed: were visible or apparent [ʃoʊd]
• the same: identical or similar [ðə seɪm]
• pale violet: a light purple color [peɪl ˈvaɪəlɪt]
• colour: the appearance of objects (or light sources) described in terms of a human perception [ˈkələr]
• as: used to indicate that things appear to be the same [ɛz]
• his tail: the tail of the fish [hɪz teɪl]

They were wider than a man's hand with his fingers spread and the fish's eye looked as detached as the mirrors in a periscope or as a saint in a procession.

• They: referring to the stripes [ðeɪ]
• were: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• wider: having a greater width [ˈwaɪdər]
• than: used in comparisons [ðən]
• a man's hand: the hand of a man [ə mænz hænd]
• with: accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]
• his fingers: the fingers of the man [hɪz ˈfɪŋgərz]
• spread: extended or stretched out [sprɛd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• the fish's eye: the eye of the fish [ðə ˈfɪʃɪz aɪ]
• looked: appeared or seemed [lʊkt]
• as: used to indicate that things appear to be the same [ɛz]
• detached: separated or disconnected [dɪˈtæʧt]
• as: used to indicate that things appear to be the same [ɛz]
• the mirrors: reflective surfaces [ðə ˈmɪrərz]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• a periscope: an optical instrument for viewing objects that are above the direct line of sight [ə ˈpɛrəˌskoʊp]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• as: used to indicate that things appear to be the same [ɛz]
• a saint: a person recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness or likeness to God [ə seɪnt]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• a procession: a group of people moving forward in an orderly way, usually for a religious or ceremonial purpose [ə prəˈsɛʃən]

''It was the only way to kill him,'' the old man said. He was feeling better since the water and he knew he would not go away and his head was clear. He's over fifteen hundred pounds the way he is, he thought. Maybe much more. If he dresses out two-thirds of that at thirty cents a pound?

• It: Quotation marks indicating the beginning of dialogue or a direct quote, followed by 'It', referring to a previously mentioned subject or situation [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [wɑz]
• the only way: the single, exclusive method or course of action [ðə ˈoʊnli weɪ]
• to kill him: to end his life; to cause his death, followed by quotation marks indicating the end of the direct quote [tɪ kɪl ɪm]
• the old man: a male person who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• was feeling: experiencing a particular emotion or physical sensation [wɑz ˈfilɪŋ]
• better: in a more improved state of health or well-being [ˈbɛtər]
• since: from the time that; after [sɪns]
• the water: the liquid substance, H2O, likely referring to drinking water in this context [ðə ˈwɔtər]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he knew: he was aware; he understood [hi nu]
• he would not: he would not; he was determined not to [hi wʊd nɑt]
• go away: leave; depart; disappear [goʊ əˈweɪ]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• his head: the part of the body above the neck, containing the brain [hɪz hɛd]
• over: more than [ˈoʊvər]
• fifteen hundred: the number 1500 [ˈfɪfˈtin ˈhənərd]
• pounds: a unit of weight [paʊnz]
• the way: in the condition or state that [ðə weɪ]
• he is: he currently exists [hi ɪz]
• he dresses out: after being processed, yields a certain weight [hi ˈdrɛsɪz aʊt]
• two-thirds: 2/3 or approximately 66.67% [ˌtuˈθərdz]
• of that: referring to the weight mentioned earlier [əv ðət]
• at: at the price of [æt]
• thirty cents: 30/100 of a dollar [ˈθərˌdi sɛnts]

''I need a pencil for that,'' he said. ''My head is not that clear. But I think the great DiMaggio would be proud of me today. I had no bone spurs. But the hands and the back hurt truly.'' I wonder what a bone spur is, he thought. Maybe we have them without knowing of it.

• I: Quotation marks indicating the beginning of dialogue or a direct quote, followed by 'I', referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• need: require; have necessity for [nid]
• a pencil: a writing utensil [ə ˈpɛnsəl]
• for that: for that purpose; in order to do that, followed by quotation marks indicating the end of the direct quote [fər ðət]
• head: the part of the body above the neck, containing the brain [hɛd]
• is not: is not; is not in a state of [ɪz nɑt]
• I think: I believe; I am of the opinion [aɪ θɪŋk]
• the great: remarkable; outstanding [ðə greɪt]
• DiMaggio: likely referring to Joe DiMaggio, a famous baseball player [dɪˈmæʤiˌoʊ]
• would be: would be; would exist in a state of [wʊd bi]
• proud: feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or the achievements, qualities, or possessions of someone with whom one is closely associated [praʊd]
• of me: of myself; regarding my actions [əv mi]
• the hands: the terminal part of the arm, from the wrist to the fingers [ðə hænz]
• and: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• the back: the posterior part of the human body, extending from the shoulders to the hips [ðə bæk]
• hurt: caused physical pain or injury [hərt]
• truly: genuinely; sincerely; really, followed by quotation marks indicating the end of the direct quote [ˈtruli]
• I wonder: I am curious; I would like to know [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• what: which thing; what kind of thing [wət]
• a bone spur: a bony projection that develops along the edges of bones [ə boʊn spər]
• is: exists as; is defined as [ɪz]
• we: referring to the speaker and other people [wi]
• have them: possess them; experience them [hæv ðɛm]
• without: not having; lacking [wɪˈθaʊt]
• knowing: being aware; being conscious [noʊɪŋ]

He made the fish fast to bow and stern and to the middle thwart.

• He: Refers to the subject of the sentence, likely a person previously mentioned [hi]
• made: Past tense of 'make', meaning to cause something to be in a certain state or condition [meɪd]
• the fish: Refers to a specific fish, likely one that has been caught [ðə fɪʃ]
• fast: Securely attached or fixed [fæst]
• to bow and stern: 'Bow' is the front of the boat, 'stern' is the back of the boat [tɪ boʊ ənd stərn]
• and to the middle thwart: 'Thwart' is a seat or brace running across a boat [ənd tɪ ðə ˈmɪdəl θwɔrt]

He was so big it was like lashing a much bigger skiff alongside.

• He: Refers to the subject of the sentence, likely a person previously mentioned [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• so big: Of great size or extent [soʊ bɪg]
• it was like: Resembling or similar to [ɪt wɑz laɪk]
• lashing: Tying or fastening securely with a rope or cord [ˈlæʃɪŋ]
• a much bigger skiff: 'Skiff' is a small boat; 'much bigger' indicates a significantly larger size [ə məʧ ˈbɪgər skɪf]
• alongside: Next to or parallel with [əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd]

He cut a piece of line and tied the fish's lower jaw against his bill so his mouth would not open and they would sail as cleanly as possible.

• He: Refers to the subject of the sentence, likely a person previously mentioned [hi]
• cut: Past tense of 'cut', meaning to divide or separate with a sharp instrument [kət]
• a piece of line: 'Line' refers to a rope or cord [ə pis əv laɪn]
• and tied: Past tense of 'tie', meaning to fasten or secure with a rope or cord [ənd taɪd]
• the fish's lower jaw: 'Jaw' refers to the lower part of the fish's mouth [ðə ˈfɪʃɪz loʊər ʤɔ]
• against his bill: 'Bill' likely refers to a part of the boat or a tool [əˈgɛnst hɪz bɪl]
• so his mouth: 'Mouth' refers to the opening in the fish's head [soʊ hɪz maʊθ]
• would not open: To remain closed [wʊd nɑt ˈoʊpən]
• and they: Refers to the fish [ənd ðeɪ]
• would sail: To move through the water using a sail [wʊd seɪl]
• as cleanly as possible: In the most efficient and unobstructed manner [ɛz ˈklinli ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]

Then he stepped the mast and, with the stick that was his gaff and with his boom rigged, the patched sail drew, the boat began to move, and half lying in the stern he sailed south-west.

• Then: Following in time or sequence [ðɛn]
• he stepped the mast: 'Stepped' means to erect or set up the mast [hi stɛpt ðə mæst]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or connection [ənd]
• with the stick: Refers to a long, slender piece of wood [wɪθ ðə stɪk]
• that was his gaff: 'Gaff' is a hooked pole used for landing fish [ðət wɑz hɪz gæf]
• and with his boom rigged: 'Boom' is a spar used to extend the foot of a sail; 'rigged' means fitted with ropes and tackle [ənd wɪθ hɪz bum rɪgd]
• the patched sail: 'Patched' means repaired with a piece of material [ðə pæʧt seɪl]
• drew: Pulled or stretched tight by the wind [dru]
• the boat: Refers to the vessel being used [ðə boʊt]
• began to move: Started to travel [bɪˈgæn tɪ muv]
• and: Conjunction indicating addition or connection [ənd]
• half lying: Partially reclined [hæf laɪɪŋ]
• in the stern: 'Stern' is the back of the boat [ɪn ðə stərn]
• he sailed: Past tense of 'sail', meaning to travel by water using a sail [hi seɪld]
• south-west: A direction midway between south and west [south-west]

He did not need a compass to tell him where southwest was.

• He: Refers to the subject of the sentence, likely a person previously mentioned [hi]
• did not need: Past tense of 'do not need', meaning not requiring something [dɪd nɑt nid]
• a compass: An instrument used for navigation that shows direction [ə ˈkəmpəs]
• to tell him: To inform or indicate to him [tɪ tɛl ɪm]
• where southwest was: The direction midway between south and west [wɛr ˌsaʊθˈwɛst wɑz]

He only needed the feel of the trade wind and the drawing of the sail.

• He: Refers to the subject of the sentence, likely a person previously mentioned [hi]
• only needed: Required solely [ˈoʊnli ˈnidɪd]
• the feel: The sensation or perception [ðə fil]
• of the trade wind: 'Trade wind' refers to a consistent wind blowing towards the equator [əv ðə treɪd wɪnd]
• and the drawing of the sail: 'Drawing' refers to the sail being pulled taut by the wind [ənd ðə drɔɪŋ əv ðə seɪl]

I better put a small line out with a spoon on it and try and get something to eat and drink for the moisture.

• I better: Contraction of 'I had better', meaning it would be advisable [aɪ ˈbɛtər]
• put a small line out: 'Line' refers to a rope or cord; 'put out' means to extend or cast [pʊt ə smɔl laɪn aʊt]
• with a spoon on it: 'Spoon' likely refers to a fishing lure [wɪθ ə spun ɔn ɪt]
• and try: To attempt [ənd traɪ]
• and get: To obtain [ənd gɪt]
• something to eat and drink: Food and beverage [ˈsəmθɪŋ tɪ it ənd drɪŋk]
• for the moisture: To provide hydration [fər ðə ˈmɔɪsʧər]

But he could not find a spoon and his sardines were rotten.

• But: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• he could not find: Was unable to locate [hi kʊd nɑt faɪnd]
• a spoon: Likely refers to a fishing lure [ə spun]
• and his sardines: 'Sardines' are small, oily fish [ənd hɪz sɑrˈdinz]
• were rotten: Decomposed or spoiled [wər ˈrɑtən]

So he hooked a patch of yellow Gulf weed with the gaff as they passed and shook it so that the small shrimps that were in it fell onto the planking of the skiff.

• So: Therefore or as a result [soʊ]
• he hooked: Past tense of 'hook', meaning to catch or fasten with a hook [hi hʊkt]
• a patch of yellow Gulf weed: 'Gulf weed' refers to Sargassum, a type of seaweed found in the Gulf of Mexico [ə pæʧ əv ˈjɛloʊ gəlf wid]
• with the gaff: 'Gaff' is a hooked pole used for landing fish [wɪθ ðə gæf]
• as they passed: While moving by [ɛz ðeɪ pæst]
• and shook it: Past tense of 'shake', meaning to move rapidly back and forth [ənd ʃʊk ɪt]
• so that: In order that [soʊ ðət]
• the small shrimps: 'Shrimps' are small crustaceans [ðə smɔl shrimps]
• that were in it: Located within the seaweed [ðət wər ɪn ɪt]
• fell: Past tense of 'fall', meaning to drop downwards [fɛl]
• onto the planking: 'Planking' refers to the wooden boards of the boat's deck [ˈɔntu ðə ˈplæŋkɪŋ]
• of the skiff: 'Skiff' is a small boat [əv ðə skɪf]

There were more than a dozen of them and they jumped and kicked like sand fleas.

• There were: Existed [ðɛr wər]
• more than a dozen: Over twelve [mɔr ðən ə ˈdəzən]
• of them: Refers to the shrimps [əv ðɛm]
• and they: Refers to the shrimps [ənd ðeɪ]
• jumped and kicked: Moved erratically and forcefully [ʤəmpt ənd kɪkt]
• like sand fleas: 'Sand fleas' are small, jumping crustaceans found on beaches [laɪk sænd fliz]

The old man pinched their heads off with his thumb and forefinger and ate them chewing up the shells and the tails.

• The old man: Refers to an elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]
• pinched: Squeezed tightly between the thumb and forefinger [pɪnʧt]
• their heads off: Removed their heads by pinching [ðɛr hɛdz ɔf]
• with his thumb and forefinger: Using the thumb and index finger [wɪθ hɪz θəm ənd ˈfɔrˌfɪŋgər]
• and ate them: Consumed them as food [ənd eɪt ðɛm]
• chewing up: Masticating or grinding with the teeth [ʧuɪŋ əp]
• the shells and the tails: The outer coverings and appendages of the shrimps [ðə ʃɛlz ənd ðə teɪlz]

They were very tiny but he knew they were nourishing and they tasted good.

• They: Refers to the shrimps [ðeɪ]
• were very tiny: Extremely small [wər ˈvɛri ˈtaɪni]
• but: Conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• he knew: Past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware [hi nu]
• they were nourishing: Providing sustenance and nutrients [ðeɪ wər ˈnərɪʃɪŋ]
• and they tasted good: Had a pleasant flavor [ənd ðeɪ ˈteɪstɪd gʊd]