The Old Man and The Sea — Page 9 | Contextual Explanations

You are reading page 9 of 62 from The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Use the contextual explanations to improve your English comprehension.

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The door of the house where the boy lived was unlocked and he opened it and walked in quietly with his bare feet.

The: Definite article, referring to a specific door [ðə]
door: An entrance or exit to a building or room [dɔr]
of: Preposition indicating belonging or association [əv]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific house [ðə]
house: A building used as a dwelling [haʊs]
where: Relative adverb, introducing a clause that specifies the house [wɛr]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
boy: A young male [bɔɪ]
lived: Past tense of 'live', meaning resided or dwelled [lɪvd]
was: Past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
unlocked: Not secured with a lock; open [ənˈlɑkt]
and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
he: Pronoun, referring to the boy [hi]
opened: Past tense of 'open', meaning to move something to allow access [ˈoʊpənd]
it: Pronoun, referring to the door [ɪt]
and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
walked: Past tense of 'walk', meaning to move on foot [wɔkt]
in: Adverb, indicating direction towards the inside [ɪn]
quietly: Adverb, meaning without making much noise [kˈwaɪətli]
with: Preposition, indicating accompaniment or means [wɪθ]
his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the boy [hɪz]
bare: Uncovered; without shoes or socks [bɛr]
feet: Plural of 'foot', the lower part of the leg [fit]

The boy was asleep on a cot in the first room and the old man could see him clearly with the light that came in from the dying moon.

The: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
boy: A young male [bɔɪ]
was: Past tense of 'be', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
asleep: In a state of sleep [əsˈlip]
on: Preposition, indicating location or support [ɔn]
a: Indefinite article, referring to any cot [ə]
cot: A small bed, especially one with high sides for a baby or child [kɑt]
in: Preposition, indicating location within [ɪn]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific room [ðə]
first: Adjective, indicating the initial or foremost [fərst]
room: A space within a building enclosed by walls [rum]
and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific man [ðə]
old: Adjective, meaning advanced in age [oʊld]
man: An adult male [mæn]
could: Past tense of 'can', indicating ability [kʊd]
see: To perceive with the eyes [si]
him: Pronoun, referring to the boy [ɪm]
clearly: Adverb, meaning easily and distinctly [ˈklɪrli]
with: Preposition, indicating means or instrument [wɪθ]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific light [ðə]
light: Brightness; illumination [laɪt]
that: Relative pronoun, introducing a clause that specifies the light [ðət]
came: Past tense of 'come', meaning to move towards [keɪm]
in: Adverb, indicating direction towards the inside [ɪn]
from: Preposition, indicating origin or source [frəm]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific moon [ðə]
dying: Present participle of 'die', meaning fading or weakening [daɪɪŋ]
moon: The Earth's natural satellite [mun]

He took hold of one foot gently and held it until the boy woke and turned and looked at him.

He: Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]
took: Past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]
hold: Grip; grasp [hoʊld]
of: Preposition, indicating belonging or association [əv]
one: Numeral, indicating a single item [wən]
foot: The lower part of the leg [fʊt]
gently: Adverb, meaning in a mild or careful way [ˈʤɛntli]
and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
held: Past tense of 'hold', meaning to keep in one's grasp [hɛld]
it: Pronoun, referring to the foot [ɪt]
until: Conjunction, indicating a time limit [ənˈtɪl]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
boy: A young male [bɔɪ]
woke: Past tense of 'wake', meaning to cease sleeping [woʊk]
and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
turned: Past tense of 'turn', meaning to change direction [tərnd]
and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
looked: Past tense of 'look', meaning to direct one's gaze [lʊkt]
at: Preposition, indicating direction or focus [æt]
him: Pronoun, referring to the old man [ɪm]

The old man nodded and the boy took his trousers from the chair by the bed and, sitting on the bed, pulled them on.

The: Definite article, referring to a specific man [ðə]
old: Adjective, meaning advanced in age [oʊld]
man: An adult male [mæn]
nodded: Past tense of 'nod', meaning to move the head up and down as a sign of agreement or greeting [ˈnɑdɪd]
and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
boy: A young male [bɔɪ]
took: Past tense of 'take', meaning to grasp or seize [tʊk]
his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the boy [hɪz]
trousers: A garment covering the legs [ˈtraʊzərz]
from: Preposition, indicating origin or source [frəm]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific chair [ðə]
chair: A seat with a back and legs [ʧɛr]
by: Preposition, indicating proximity [baɪ]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific bed [ðə]
bed: A piece of furniture used for sleeping [bɛd]
and: Conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]
sitting: Present participle of 'sit', meaning to rest on one's buttocks [ˈsɪtɪŋ]
on: Preposition, indicating location or support [ɔn]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific bed [ðə]
bed: A piece of furniture used for sleeping [bɛd]
pulled: Past tense of 'pull', meaning to exert force to move something towards oneself [pʊld]
them: Pronoun, referring to the trousers [ðɛm]
on: Adverb, indicating the action of putting on clothes [ɔn]

The old man went out the door and the boy came after him.

The: Definite article, referring to a specific man [ðə]
old: Adjective, meaning advanced in age [oʊld]
man: An adult male [mæn]
went: Past tense of 'go', meaning to move from one place to another [wɛnt]
out: Adverb, indicating movement away from the inside [aʊt]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific door [ðə]
door: An entrance or exit to a building or room [dɔr]
and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
the: Definite article, referring to a specific boy [ðə]
boy: A young male [bɔɪ]
came: Past tense of 'come', meaning to move towards [keɪm]
after: Preposition, indicating following behind [ˈæftər]
him: Pronoun, referring to the old man [ɪm]

''Qua Va,'' the boy said. ''It is what a man must do.''

Qua Va: Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?" [kwɑ va]
the boy: a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]
said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
It: refers to a situation or action [ɪt]
is: present tense of 'be', linking verb [ɪz]
what: refers to the thing that [wət]
a man: an adult male person [ə mæn]
must: expresses necessity or obligation [məst]
do: to perform an action; end of the sentence [du]

They walked down the road to the old man's shack and all along the road, in the dark, barefoot men were moving, carrying the masts of their boats.

They: referring to a group of people, likely the boy and the old man [ðeɪ]
walked: past tense of 'walk', to move on foot [wɔkt]
down: in a downward direction [daʊn]
the road: a way or route between two places [ðə roʊd]
to: indicating direction or destination [tɪ]
the old man's: belonging to the old man [ðə oʊld mænz]
shack: a roughly built hut or cabin [ʃæk]
and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
all along: throughout the entire length of [ɔl əˈlɔŋ]
the road: a way or route between two places [ðə roʊd]
in the dark: absence of light [ɪn ðə dɑrk]
barefoot: without shoes or socks [ˈbɛrˌfʊt]
men: plural of man, adult male persons [mɛn]
were moving: past continuous tense of 'move', to go in a specified direction or manner [wər ˈmuvɪŋ]
carrying: present participle of 'carry', to support and move someone or something [ˈkɛriɪŋ]
the masts: a tall upright post or spar on a ship or boat, used to support sails or rigging [ðə mæsts]
of their boats: belonging to their boats [əv ðɛr boʊts]

When they reached the old man's shack the boy took the rolls of line in the basket and the harpoon and gaff and the old man carried the mast with the furled sail on his shoulder.

When: at the time that [wɪn]
they: referring to a group of people, likely the boy and the old man [ðeɪ]
reached: past tense of 'reach', to arrive at a place [riʧt]
the old man's: belonging to the old man [ðə oʊld mænz]
shack: a roughly built hut or cabin [ʃæk]
the boy: a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]
took: past tense of 'take', to get hold of something [tʊk]
the rolls of line: cylindrical bundles of rope or fishing line [ðə roʊlz əv laɪn]
in the basket: contained within the basket [ɪn ðə ˈbæskət]
and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
the harpoon: a barbed spear-like missile used for hunting large fish or marine mammals [ðə hɑrˈpun]
and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
gaff: a pole with a large hook on one end for landing fish [gæf]
and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
the old man: an elderly male person [ðə oʊld mæn]
carried: past tense of 'carry', to support and move someone or something [ˈkɛrid]
the mast: a tall upright post or spar on a ship or boat, used to support sails or rigging [ðə mæst]
with: accompanied by [wɪθ]
the furled sail: a sail that is rolled or folded up neatly [ðə ~~furled~~ seɪl]
on his shoulder: supported by his shoulder [ɔn hɪz ˈʃoʊldər]

''Do you want coffee?'' the boy asked.

Do: auxiliary verb used to form questions [du]
you: the person being addressed [ju]
want: to desire or wish for something [wɔnt]
coffee: a beverage made from coffee beans; end of the question [ˈkɔfi]
the boy: a young male person [ðə bɔɪ]
asked: past tense of 'ask', to put a question to someone [æst]

''We'll put the gear in the boat and then get some.''

We'll: contraction of 'we will', indicating a future action [wɪl]
put: to place something in a particular position [pʊt]
the gear: equipment or apparatus that is used for a particular purpose [ðə gɪr]
in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
the boat: a small vessel for traveling on water [ðə boʊt]
and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
then: after that [ðɛn]
get: to obtain or acquire something [gɪt]
some: an unspecified amount or quantity; end of the sentence [səm]

They had coffee from condensed milk cans at an early morning place that served fishermen.

They: referring to a group of people [ðeɪ]
had: past tense of 'have', to possess or experience [hæd]
coffee: a beverage made from coffee beans [ˈkɔfi]
from: indicating the origin or source [frəm]
condensed milk: milk from which water has been removed [kənˈdɛnst mɪlk]
cans: metal containers [kænz]
at: indicating a specific location or time [æt]
an early morning: the beginning of the day [ən ˈərli ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
place: a particular position or location [pleɪs]
that: introducing a relative clause [ðət]
served: past tense of 'serve', to provide food or drink [sərvd]
fishermen: people who catch fish as a profession or for sport [ˈfɪʃərmɪn]

''How did you sleep old man?'' the boy asked.

How: beginning a direct quote, indicating a question about someone's sleep [haʊ]
did: auxiliary verb used to form the past tense [dɪd]
you: referring to the person being addressed, in this case, the old man [ju]
sleep: to be in a state of rest with closed eyes [slip]
old man: a term of address, possibly affectionate or familiar, followed by the end of the question [oʊld mæn]
the boy: referring to a young male character [ðə bɔɪ]
asked: verb indicating the boy posed the question [æst]

He was waking up now although it was still hard for him to leave his sleep.

He: referring to the boy [hi]
was waking up: the process of becoming awake [wɑz ˈweɪkɪŋ əp]
now: at the present time [naʊ]
although: conjunction introducing a contrasting clause [ˌɔlˈðoʊ]
it: impersonal pronoun referring to the act of waking up [ɪt]
was still hard: remaining difficult [wɑz stɪl hɑrd]
for him: referring to the boy [fər ɪm]
to leave: to depart from [tɪ liv]
his sleep: the state of being asleep [hɪz slip]

''Very well, Manolin,'' the old man said. ''I feel confident today.''

Very well: beginning a direct quote, indicating a positive response to a question about one's well-being [ˈvɛri wɛl]
Manolin: the name of the person being addressed [~~manolin~~]
the old man: referring to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]
said: verb indicating the old man spoke [sɛd]
I: beginning a direct quote, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
feel confident: to have a strong belief in one's abilities or qualities [fil ˈkɑnfədənt]
today: on this day, followed by the end of the quote [təˈdeɪ]

''So do I,'' the boy said. ''Now I must get your sardines and mine and your fresh baits.

So: beginning a direct quote, indicating agreement with a previous statement [soʊ]
do: auxiliary verb used to express agreement [du]
I: referring to the speaker, indicating agreement, followed by the end of the quote [aɪ]
the boy: referring to a young male character [ðə bɔɪ]
said: verb indicating the boy spoke [sɛd]
Now: beginning a direct quote, indicating a change in topic or action [naʊ]
I: referring to the speaker [aɪ]
must: expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
get: to obtain or acquire [gɪt]
your sardines: sardines belonging to the person being addressed [jʊr sɑrˈdinz]
and mine: and sardines belonging to the speaker [ənd maɪn]
and your fresh baits: and fresh bait belonging to the person being addressed [ənd jʊr frɛʃ beɪts]

He brings our gear himself.

He: referring to a third person [hi]
brings: to carry or convey something to a place or person [brɪŋz]
our gear: equipment or apparatus that is used for a particular purpose [ɑr gɪr]
himself: emphasizing that he does it personally [hɪmˈsɛlf]

''We're different,'' the old man said. ''I let you carry things when you were five years old.''

We're: beginning a direct quote, contraction of 'we are', referring to the speaker and another person [wɪr]
different: not the same as each other, followed by the end of the quote [ˈdɪfərənt]
the old man: referring to an elderly male character [ðə oʊld mæn]
said: verb indicating the old man spoke [sɛd]
I: beginning a direct quote, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
let: to allow or permit [lɛt]
you: referring to the person being addressed [ju]
carry things: to transport objects [ˈkɛri θɪŋz]
when: at the time that [wɪn]
you: referring to the person being addressed [ju]
were: past tense of 'are' [wər]
five years old: a specific age, followed by the end of the quote [faɪv jɪrz oʊld]

''I know it,'' the boy said. ''I'll be right back.

I: beginning a direct quote, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
know: to be aware of something [noʊ]
it: referring to something previously mentioned, followed by the end of the quote [ɪt]
the boy: referring to a young male character [ðə bɔɪ]
said: verb indicating the boy spoke [sɛd]
I'll: beginning a direct quote, contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action [aɪl]
be right back: to return very soon [bi raɪt bæk]

Have another coffee.

Have: to possess or experience [hæv]
another coffee: an additional cup of coffee [əˈnəðər ˈkɔfi]

He walked off, bare-footed on the coral rocks, to the ice house where the baits were stored.

He: refers to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
walked off: left; departed; moved away on foot [wɔkt ɔf]
bare-footed: without shoes or socks on the feet [~~bare-footed~~]
on: supported by or touching a surface [ɔn]
the coral rocks: rocks made of coral, a hard stony substance secreted by certain marine coelenterates [ðə ˈkɔrəl rɑks]
to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
the ice house: a building used to store ice, often to keep food cold [ðə aɪs haʊs]
where: at or in which place or situation [wɛr]
the baits: food used to attract fish or other animals [ðə beɪts]
were stored: were kept or accumulated for future use [wər stɔrd]