The very old man with enormous wings

“The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is a short story by Gabriel García
Márquez, a renowned Colombian writer and Nobel laureate. This story is part of
his collection “Leaf Storm and Other Stories” and is often considered a classic of
magical realism.

**Summary:**

The story begins when an old man with enormous wings, who resembles an
angel, crash-lands in a courtyard in a coastal town. The town’s inhabitants,
intrigued and bewildered, gather to see the winged creature. Pelayo and Elisenda,
a couple who discover the old man, initially keep him in their chicken coop. They
charge an admission fee to those who want to see him, turning it into a profitable
venture.

The old man, while not fitting the typical image of a glorious angel, exhibits some
peculiar and otherworldly characteristics. He doesn’t speak their language, and
his wings, while enormous, seem feeble and tattered. Despite this, people
continue to visit him, seeking miracles and cures. A neighboring woman who
believes the old man is an angel attempts to communicate with him, but the old
man remains largely indifferent to the attention he receives.

The story explores the town’s reaction to the old man, the mix of awe,
fascination, and exploitation. As time passes, the crowd’s interest dwindles, and
the old man is neglected. Eventually, he becomes a burden to Pelayo and
Elisenda, who long for a normal life. They finally decide to set him adrift in a small
boat, hoping he can find his way back to the sky.

**Themes:**
 1. **Magical Realism:**

The story is a prime example of magical realism, blending fantastical elements

with the mundane to explore human reactions to the extraordinary.

2. **Exploitation and Indifference:**

“The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” delves into the themes of how
society reacts to the unfamiliar and how people can exploit something
extraordinary for personal gain, only to discard it when it becomes
ordinary.

3. **Human Nature:**
The story examines the complex and often contradictory nature of human
beings, including their capacity for wonder, cruelty, indifference, and
curiosity.

**Analysis:**

Gabriel García Márquez’s story is a critique of human nature and society’s

response to the unknown. The townspeople’s fascination and exploitation of the
old man reflect the unpredictable and sometimes disheartening ways people
react to extraordinary events. The story challenges conventional notions of angels
and the supernatural, portraying the old man as a symbol of the inexplicable.

**Major Characters:**
1.
2. **The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings:**
 The mysterious, winged stranger who lands in the town, provoking
fascination and confusion.

3. **Pelayo and Elisenda:**

The couple who discover the old man and initially keep him in their chicken
coop. They exploit the old man for financial gain and eventually set him
adrift.

4. **The Neighbor Woman:**

A neighbor who believes the old man is an angel and attempts to
communicate with him.

**Writer’s Point of View:**

Gabriel García Márquez, a master of magical realism, offers a perspective that

challenges conventional thinking and expectations regarding the supernatural. He
uses the presence of the old man with enormous wings to explore the depths of
human curiosity, exploitation, and indifference in the face of the extraordinary.
The story serves as a commentary on the unpredictable and sometimes unsettling
nature of human behavior.

In conclusion, “The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” is a thought-provoking

narrative that delves into the themes of magical realism, human nature, and
society’s reaction to the inexplicable. Márquez’s storytelling skillfully combines
the fantastical with the ordinary, creating a compelling and enigmatic tale.