A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Essay- Biography!

Introduction:

"A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" is a short story written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The story revolves around an old man with wings who is found by a couple, Pelayo and Elisenda, in their backyard. The story delves into the themes of human nature, spirituality, and the power of perception. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the story and discuss its major themes, symbols, and motifs.

Plot Summary:

The story starts with a description of the couple's child, who is sick with a fever. While trying to comfort the child, Pelayo sees an old man with wings lying in their backyard. The old man is disheveled and seems to be suffering. Pelayo is afraid and calls his wife Elisenda, who is also surprised by the old man. The couple initially thinks that the old man might be an angel, but they are not sure. They decide to keep the old man in their chicken coop until they can figure out what to do with him.

As the days go by, the news of the old man with wings spreads, and people start coming to see him. Some people believe that he is an angel, while others think he is a demon. The local priest also comes to see him, but he is not sure what to make of him. The old man with wings does not speak their language, and he seems to be confused and disoriented.

The couple starts charging people to see the old man, and they become rich. They build a mansion and buy new clothes, but they also become greedy and selfish. They stop taking care of the old man and start mistreating him. They lock him in the chicken coop and throw food at him. The old man with wings becomes weaker and sicker, and his feathers start falling off.

One day, a carnival comes to town, and the couple decides to take the old man to the carnival to make more money. At the carnival, they put the old man in a cage, and people throw things at him. The old man with wings seems to be dying, and the couple decides to kill him. However, before they can do so, the old man with wings flies away, leaving the couple and the crowd amazed.

Themes:

Human Nature:

One of the major themes of "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" is human nature. The story shows how people react to the unknown and the unfamiliar. When the old man with wings is found, people are curious and fascinated by him. They come to see him, and some even believe that he is an angel. However, as time goes by, people lose interest in him, and they start mistreating him. The couple, who initially showed compassion for the old man, becomes greedy and selfish. They stop taking care of him and start exploiting him for their own benefit. This shows how human nature can change when people are presented with a new and unfamiliar situation.

Spirituality:

Another major theme of the story is spirituality. The old man with wings is believed to be an angel by some people. The local priest comes to see him, but he is not sure if he is an angel or a demon. The story explores the idea of faith and how people perceive spirituality. The old man with wings is a symbol of spirituality, and people react to him based on their own beliefs and perceptions. This shows how spirituality is subjective and can be interpreted differently by different people.

Power of Perception:

The story also explores the power of perception. The old man with wings is perceived differently by different people. Some people believe that he is an angel, while others think he is a demon. The couple initially thinks that he might be an angel, but as time goes by, they start seeing him as a burden. Thestory shows how perception can influence behavior and attitudes towards others. The couple's perception of the old man with wings changes their treatment of him. This highlights the importance of being aware of one's perception and how it can impact one's interactions with others.

Symbols:

The old man with wings is a symbol in the story. He represents spirituality, faith, and the unknown. His presence challenges the beliefs and perceptions of the characters in the story. The old man with wings also represents vulnerability and the human condition. He is mistreated and exploited by those around him, which highlights the harsh realities of human nature.

The chicken coop is another symbol in the story. It represents confinement and imprisonment. The old man with wings is kept in the chicken coop, and he is mistreated and neglected. This symbolizes the cruelty and inhumanity that can arise when people are confronted with the unknown and the unfamiliar.

Motifs:

The motif of transformation is present in the story. The old man with wings transforms from a mysterious and intriguing figure to a burden and then to a spectacle. The transformation of the old man with wings reflects the transformation of the characters in the story. The couple transforms from compassionate and caring to greedy and selfish. The townspeople transform from curious and fascinated to apathetic and cruel.

Another motif in the story is the motif of greed. The couple becomes wealthy from charging people to see the old man with wings. However, their greed causes them to mistreat the old man and lose sight of their humanity. This highlights the destructive nature of greed and how it can corrupt individuals.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" is a thought-provoking and symbolic story that explores the themes of human nature, spirituality, and perception. The story uses symbolism and motifs to convey its messages and to challenge the reader's perceptions. The story highlights the complexities of the human condition and how people react to the unknown and the unfamiliar. Overall, "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.