A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings – Gabriel García Márquez
Introduction
Gabriel García Márquez was a famous Colombian writer known for magical realism. "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" is a story that mixes the ordinary with the magical. It is included in the curriculum to help students think about faith, kindness, and how people treat the unknown.
Short Summary
After a storm, a couple finds an old man with wings in their yard. The villagers think he is an angel, but instead of helping him, they use him for their own gain. In the end, the old man flies away, and the villagers remain unchanged.
Detailed Summary
Pelayo and Elisenda discover a very old man with enormous wings in their courtyard after a storm. Unsure if he is an angel, they keep him in a chicken coop. News spreads, and villagers come to see the old man, treating him as a spectacle. Some hope for miracles, while others doubt his powers. The couple charges money to see him, using the money to improve their lives.
The old man is treated poorly, facing curiosity, greed, and even cruelty. He remains patient and silent, never explaining who he is. Over time, he becomes weaker, but no one truly cares for him. The villagers are more interested in their own needs than in helping the old man.
One day, the old man grows strong again and quietly flies away. The villagers go back to their normal lives, unchanged by the miracle they witnessed. The story uses magical realism to show how people often fail to recognize or appreciate the extraordinary. It teaches about compassion, faith, and the importance of kindness to strangers.
Narrative Structure Breakdown
- Exposition: Pelayo and Elisenda find the old man in their yard.
- Rising Action: Villagers come to see the old man, treating him as a spectacle.
- Climax: The old man is mistreated but endures in silence.
- Falling Action: The old man recovers and grows stronger.
- Resolution: He flies away, leaving the villagers unchanged.
Themes & Meanings
- Faith and Doubt: People struggle to believe in miracles and often act out of self-interest.
- Human Nature: The story shows both kindness and cruelty in how people treat the old man.
- Magical Realism: The mix of the ordinary and the magical makes readers question what is real.
- Compassion: True kindness is rare, and the story asks us to care for others.
Character Sketches
- The Old Man: A mysterious figure with wings who suffers in silence and finally flies away.
- Pelayo: The man who finds the old man and profits from him.
- Elisenda: Pelayo’s wife, practical and focused on her family.
- The Villagers: Represent different attitudes toward the unknown.
Important Vocabulary
- Miraculous: Something amazing that cannot be explained by normal means.
- Compassion: Caring about the suffering of others.
- Spectacle: Something that attracts attention because it is unusual or exciting.
- Magical Realism: A style of writing that mixes real life with magical elements.
Exam-Style Q&A
-
Q:
Who is the old man, and how is he treated?
A: He is a mysterious figure with wings, treated with curiosity and cruelty by the villagers. -
Q:
What is the main theme of the story?
A: The human response to miracles and the lack of true compassion. -
Q:
How does the story use magical realism?
A: It mixes the magical (the old man’s wings) with everyday village life. -
Q:
How does the story end?
A: The old man recovers and flies away, but the villagers do not change. -
Q:
What lesson does the story teach about human nature?
A: It shows that people often fail to appreciate the extraordinary and can be selfish.
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