Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” presents a captivating narrative blending the mundane with the extraordinary. This reading guide dives into the story’s key elements, offering insights and answers to common questions about this iconic work of magical realism. We’ll explore the plot, context, symbolism, and offer some prompts for study and discussion about this important work, sure to inform students and general readers looking for A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Reading Guide Answers.
Plot and Characters: A Summary
After a torrential three-day rain, Pelayo and Elisenda discover an unlikely resident in their courtyard: a feeble old man with enormous, mud-caked wings. The couple imprisons the winged man in their chicken coop while deciding what to do. A wise neighbor suggests he’s an angel. The local priest, Father Gonzaga, remains skeptical, unsure if he’s a true messenger of God. Word spreads quickly, and their home becomes a spectacle as villagers flock to see the “angel,” paying a small fee for a glimpse.
An old man with enormous wings lying face down in the mud, as Pelayo and Elisenda approach him.
However, the angel’s fame fades when a new attraction arrives: a woman transformed into a giant spider. As the crowds dissipate, Pelayo and Elisenda use their earnings to build a new house. The old man, now a permanent fixture, remains on their property. He is weak and mostly ignored, but the family cannot seem to get rid of him.
One winter, after a period of illness, the old man begins to grow new feathers. Eventually, he attempts to fly, much to Elisenda’s surprise. She watches as he awkwardly takes flight, disappearing over the horizon and into the sea.
Background and Context: Magical Realism Defined
“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is a prime example of magical realism, a genre blending realistic settings with fantastical elements. This style, prominent in Latin American literature, juxtaposes the ordinary with the extraordinary, inviting readers to accept the improbable as part of everyday life. Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Alejo Carpentier are considered the pioneers of this technique.
The story subtly intertwines fantasy and reality. The crabs appearing at the beginning of the story are a bizarre occurrence. The townspeople react to the angel with a mix of awe, superstition, and eventual disappointment.
Marquez’s narrative voice adds to the story’s impact, portraying even the most outlandish events with a straight face, giving them a sense of believability. This storytelling style was influenced by his grandmother. Marquez drew inspiration from authors like Franz Kafka and Jorge Luis Borges, whose works often feature surreal and unsettling elements.
An old man with enormous wings stands inside a chicken coop, staring blankly at the viewer.
The story manages to portray a vivid snapshot of human psychology, depicting the collective behavior of large groups of people with considerable detail. The story also notes the unchanging elements of the angel’s existence, such as his smell, to highlight the other, more significant changes in the family’s life.
The Symbolism of the Angel: Faith, Degraded Religion, or Reality vs. Legend?
Marquez emphasizes the angel’s less-than-flattering characteristics, like the parasites on his wings, the food scraps thrown at him, and his clumsy attempts to fly.
Despite his sorry state, the angel sparks imaginative fantasies. He could symbolize a decline in faith or suggest that religion, even in its imperfect forms, holds power. Alternatively, the angel could represent the contrast between legend and the mundane reality of human existence.
Elisenda in her kitchen, watching the old man with wings fly away.
Questions for Study and Discussion: Exploring Deeper Meaning
- Magical Realism: Is “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” a true example of magical realism? Does it defy any conventions of the genre? Could it be categorized differently?
- Religious Message: What religious message does the story convey? Is it a critique of faith in the modern world, or does it suggest that faith can persist in unexpected ways?
- Community: How would you describe the community depicted in the story? Are the townspeople’s attitudes clear or ambiguous?
- Descriptive Language: Why does Marquez use such vivid and gritty descriptions? How do these descriptions impact your perception of the townspeople and the angel?
Answering these questions might give you some a very old man with enormous wings reading guide answers that will help you understand and appreciate the text more.
