The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 55

The old man settled himself to steer.

• The: definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old man: an elderly male [oʊld mæn]
• settled himself: made himself comfortable; prepared himself [ˈsɛtəld hɪmˈsɛlf]
• to steer: to control the direction of a boat or vehicle [tɪ stɪr]

He did not even watch the big shark sinking slowly in the water, showing first life-size, then small, then tiny.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• did not even watch: did not pay attention to [dɪd nɑt ˈivɪn wɔʧ]
• the big shark: a large shark [ðə bɪg ʃɑrk]
• sinking slowly: descending gradually beneath the surface [ˈsɪŋkɪŋ sˈloʊli]
• in the water: within the body of water [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]
• showing: revealing; displaying [ʃoʊɪŋ]
• first life-size: initially appearing as its actual size [fərst life-size]
• then small: becoming smaller in appearance [ðɛn smɔl]
• then tiny: becoming very small in appearance [ðɛn ˈtaɪni]

That always fascinated the old man.

• That: referring to the shark's diminishing appearance [ðət]
• always fascinated: consistently intrigued or captivated [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈfæsəˌneɪtɪd]
• the old man: the elderly male [ðə oʊld mæn]

But he did not even watch it now.

• But: however; nevertheless [bət]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• did not even watch: did not pay attention to [dɪd nɑt ˈivɪn wɔʧ]
• it: referring to the shark [ɪt]
• now: at this time; currently [naʊ]

''I have the gaff now,'' he said. ''But it will do no good.

• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• have: possess; hold [hæv]
• the gaff: a hooked pole for landing large fish [ðə gæf]
• now: at this time [naʊ]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• said: uttered; spoke [sɛd]
• But: however [bət]
• it: referring to the gaff [ɪt]
• will do: will be effective; will help [wɪl du]
• no good: not effective; useless [noʊ gʊd]

Now they have beaten me, he thought.

• Now: at this time; currently [naʊ]
• they: referring to the sharks [ðeɪ]
• have beaten: have defeated [hæv ˈbitən]
• me: first-person singular pronoun, object form [mi]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• thought: considered; believed [θɔt]

I am too old to club sharks to death.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• am: first-person singular form of 'to be' [æm]
• too old: advanced in age to the point of being unable [tu oʊld]
• to club: to strike with a club [tɪ kləb]
• sharks: plural of shark [ʃɑrks]
• to death: until they die [tɪ dɛθ]

But I will try it as long as I have the oars and the short club and the tiller.

• But: however [bət]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• will try: will attempt [wɪl traɪ]
• it: referring to fighting the sharks [ɪt]
• as long as: for the duration that [ɛz lɔŋ ɛz]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• have: possess [hæv]
• the oars: the paddles for rowing [ðə ɔrz]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• the short club: the small, heavy stick [ðə ʃɔrt kləb]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• the tiller: the lever for steering [ðə ˈtɪlər]

He put his hands in the water again to soak them.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• put: placed [pʊt]
• his hands: the ends of his arms, below the wrists [hɪz hænz]
• in the water: into the sea [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]
• again: once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• to soak: to immerse in liquid [tɪ soʊk]
• them: referring to his hands [ðɛm]

It was getting late in the afternoon and he saw nothing but the sea and the sky.

• It: referring to the time of day [ɪt]
• was getting late: was approaching the end of the day [wɑz ˈgɪtɪŋ leɪt]
• in the afternoon: the period between noon and evening [ɪn ðə ˌæftərˈnun]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• saw: perceived with his eyes [sɔ]
• nothing: not anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• but: except; only [bət]
• the sea: the ocean [ðə si]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• the sky: the atmosphere above the earth [ðə skaɪ]

There was more wind in the sky than there had been, and soon he hoped that he would see land.

• There: used to indicate existence or presence [ðɛr]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• more wind: a greater amount of moving air [mɔr wɪnd]
• in the sky: in the atmosphere [ɪn ðə skaɪ]
• than: used for comparison [ðən]
• there: used to indicate existence or presence [ðɛr]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be' [hæd bɪn]
• and: conjunction [ənd]
• soon: in a short time [sun]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• hoped: wished; desired [hoʊpt]
• that: conjunction, introducing a clause [ðət]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• would see: would perceive with his eyes [wʊd si]
• land: the part of the earth's surface that is not permanently covered by water [lænd]

''You're tired, old man,'' he said. ''You're tired inside.''

• You're: Contraction of 'you are', indicating the state of being tired [jʊr]
• tired: Feeling weary or in need of rest [taɪərd]
• old man: A term used to address an elderly man, possibly implying weakness or frailty [oʊld mæn]
• he: Refers to the person speaking [hi]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating that the person spoke the words [sɛd]
• You're: Contraction of 'you are', indicating the state of being tired [jʊr]
• tired: Feeling weary or in need of rest [taɪərd]
• inside: Implies that the tiredness is not just physical but also emotional or spiritual [ˌɪnˈsaɪd]

The sharks did not hit him again until just before sunset.

• The: Definite article, referring to specific sharks [ðə]
• sharks: A type of predatory fish [ʃɑrks]
• did not hit: Past tense negative form of 'hit', meaning they did not strike or attack [dɪd nɑt hɪt]
• him: Refers to a male person, likely the old man [ɪm]
• again: Once more; another time [əˈgɛn]
• until: Up to a specific time [ənˈtɪl]
• just before: Very close to a particular time [ʤɪst ˌbiˈfɔr]
• sunset: The time when the sun goes down below the horizon [ˈsənˌsɛt]

The old man saw the brown fins coming along the wide trail the fish must make in the water.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old man: A man who is advanced in age [oʊld mæn]
• saw: Past tense of 'see', meaning he visually perceived [sɔ]
• the brown fins: The brownish-colored appendages of the sharks used for swimming [ðə braʊn fɪnz]
• coming: Moving towards the observer [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• along: Moving in a line or path [əˈlɔŋ]
• the wide trail: The broad path or wake in the water [ðə waɪd treɪl]
• the fish: Referring to the marlin the old man is trying to catch [ðə fɪʃ]
• must make: Implies that the fish inevitably creates this trail [məst meɪk]
• in the water: Specifies the location of the trail [ɪn ðə ˈwɔtər]

They were not even quartering on the scent.

• They: Refers to the sharks [ðeɪ]
• were not: Negative form of 'were', indicating they were not doing something [wər nɑt]
• even quartering: Not even approaching at an angle to intercept the scent [ˈivɪn quartering]
• on the scent: Following the smell or trail of something [ɔn ðə sɛnt]

They were headed straight for the skiff swimming side by side.

• They: Refers to the sharks [ðeɪ]
• were headed: Moving in a specific direction [wər ˈhɛdɪd]
• straight: In a direct line [streɪt]
• for: Towards a specific location [fər]
• the skiff: A small boat [ðə skɪf]
• swimming: Propelling themselves through the water [sˈwɪmɪŋ]
• side by side: Next to each other [saɪd baɪ saɪd]

He jammed the tiller, made the sheet fast and reached under the stem for the club.

• He: Refers to the old man [hi]
• jammed: Pushed forcefully [ʤæmd]
• the tiller: A lever used to steer a boat [ðə ˈtɪlər]
• made: Secured or fastened [meɪd]
• the sheet: A rope used to control the sail [ðə ʃit]
• fast: Tightly or securely [fæst]
• and: Conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]
• reached: Extended his arm [riʧt]
• under: Beneath [ˈəndər]
• the stem: The forward part of the boat [ðə stɛm]
• for: In search of [fər]
• the club: A heavy stick used as a weapon [ðə kləb]

It was an oar handle from a broken oar sawed off to about two and a half feet in length.

• It: Refers to the club [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'is', indicating its state [wɑz]
• an oar handle: The part of an oar that is held by hand [ən ɔr ˈhændəl]
• from: Originating from [frəm]
• a broken oar: An oar that is no longer intact [ə ˈbroʊkən ɔr]
• sawed off: Cut off with a saw [sɔd ɔf]
• to: Up to a certain length [tɪ]
• about: Approximately [əˈbaʊt]
• two and a half feet: A measurement of length, approximately 75 centimeters [tu ənd ə hæf fit]
• in length: Specifies the measurement is of length [ɪn lɛŋθ]

He could only use it effectively with one hand because of the grip of the handle and he took good hold of it with his right hand, flexing his hand on it, as he watched the sharks come.

• He: Refers to the old man [hi]
• could only use: Was limited to using [kʊd ˈoʊnli juz]
• it: Refers to the club [ɪt]
• effectively: In a way that produces the desired result [ˈifɛktɪvli]
• with one hand: Using only one hand [wɪθ wən hænd]
• because of: Due to [bɪˈkəz əv]
• the grip: The way it is held [ðə grɪp]
• of the handle: Referring to how the handle is held [əv ðə ˈhændəl]
• and: Conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• took: Grasped or held [tʊk]
• good hold: A firm grip [gʊd hoʊld]
• of it: Referring to the club [əv ɪt]
• with his right hand: Using his right hand [wɪθ hɪz raɪt hænd]
• flexing: Bending or tightening [ˈflɛksɪŋ]
• his hand: The hand of the old man [hɪz hænd]
• on it: Referring to the club [ɔn ɪt]
• as: While [ɛz]
• he: Refers to the old man [hi]
• watched: Observed [wɔʧt]
• the sharks: Referring to the sharks [ðə ʃɑrks]
• come: Approach [kəm]

They were both galanos.

• They: Refers to the sharks [ðeɪ]
• were: Past tense of 'are', indicating their state [wər]
• both: Referring to two sharks [boʊθ]
• galanos: A type of shark [gəˈlɑnoʊs]

I must let the first one get a good hold and hit him on the point of the nose or straight across the top of the head, he thought.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• must: expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
• let: allow or permit [lɛt]
• the first one: referring to the first shark [ðə fərst wən]
• get: reach or attain a certain condition [gɪt]
• a good hold: a firm grip or grasp [ə gʊd hoʊld]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• hit: strike forcefully [hɪt]
• him: referring to the shark [ɪm]
• on: indicating a surface or position [ɔn]
• the point of the nose: the very tip of the nose [ðə pɔɪnt əv ðə noʊz]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• straight across: directly over [streɪt əˈkrɔs]
• the top of the head: the highest part of the head [ðə tɔp əv ðə hɛd]
• he thought: expressing his internal thought [hi θɔt]

The two sharks closed together and as he saw the one nearest him open his jaws and sink them into the silver side of the fish, he raised the club high and brought it down heavy and slamming onto the top of the shark's broad head.

• The two sharks: referring to two sharks [ðə tu ʃɑrks]
• closed together: moved closer to each other [kloʊzd təˈgɛðər]
• and: connecting two related events [ənd]
• as: while or when [ɛz]
• he: referring to the person observing the sharks [hi]
• saw: perceived with his eyes [sɔ]
• the one nearest him: the shark closest to him [ðə wən ˈnɪrəst ɪm]
• open his jaws: widen its mouth [ˈoʊpən hɪz ʤɔz]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• sink them: plunge its teeth [sɪŋk ðɛm]
• into: indicating entry or insertion [ˈɪntu]
• the silver side of the fish: the flank of the fish, reflecting light [ðə ˈsɪlvər saɪd əv ðə fɪʃ]
• he: referring to the person [hi]
• raised: lifted up [reɪzd]
• the club: a heavy stick used as a weapon [ðə kləb]
• high: to a great vertical extent [haɪ]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• brought it down: lowered it forcefully [brɔt ɪt daʊn]
• heavy: with great force [ˈhɛvi]
• and: connecting two descriptive words [ənd]
• slamming: striking with great force [sˈlæmɪŋ]
• onto: upon or on [ˈɔntu]
• the top of the shark's broad head: the upper part of the shark's wide head [ðə tɔp əv ðə sharks brɔd hɛd]

He felt the rubbery solidity as the club came down.

• He: referring to the person [hi]
• felt: experienced through touch [fɛlt]
• the rubbery solidity: a firm but flexible texture [ðə ˈrəbəri səˈlɪdəti]
• as: when or while [ɛz]
• the club came down: the club was brought down [ðə kləb keɪm daʊn]

But he felt the rigidity of bone too and he struck the shark once more hard across the point of the nose as he slid down from the fish.

• But: however or nevertheless [bət]
• he: referring to the person [hi]
• felt: experienced through touch [fɛlt]
• the rigidity of bone: the hardness of the bone [ðə rɪˈʤɪdəti əv boʊn]
• too: also or in addition [tu]
• and: connecting two related events [ənd]
• he: referring to the person [hi]
• struck: hit forcefully [strək]
• the shark: referring to the shark [ðə ʃɑrk]
• once more: again or one more time [wəns mɔr]
• hard: with great force [hɑrd]
• across: from one side to the other [əˈkrɔs]
• the point of the nose: the tip of the nose [ðə pɔɪnt əv ðə noʊz]
• as: while [ɛz]
• he: referring to the person [hi]
• slid down: moved downwards [slɪd daʊn]
• from: indicating separation or removal [frəm]
• the fish: referring to the fish [ðə fɪʃ]