A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings

Summary

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is a short story by Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian author known for his magical realism style. The story begins with Pelayo and Elisenda discovering an old man with wings in their courtyard after a storm. They initially assume he is a castaway sailor but are told by a neighbour that he is an angel.  

Despite the neighbour's warning, they keep the angel in their chicken coop and charge admission to see him, attracting crowds of curious onlookers and those seeking miracles. The angel, however, is not the majestic figure they expected but a frail, decaying old man who barely interacts with his captors or the visitors.  

Father Gonzaga, the local priest, is sceptical and tries to determine the angel's true nature, even writing to the Vatican for guidance. Meanwhile, the angel remains a passive observer, enduring the indignities and absurdities of his situation. As time passes, his popularity wanes, and he is eventually forgotten by the crowds and his captors.  

One day, the angel unexpectedly regains his strength and flies away, leaving Pelayo and Elisenda to resume their ordinary lives. The story blends fantastical elements with mundane reality, exploring themes of faith, the nature of miracles, and humanity's response to the unknown.

Discussion questions

1. Why do you think people were so quick to believe the old man was an angel?     

2. How would you describe the way Pelayo and Elisenda treat the angel? Why do they act this way?      

3. What is the significance of the woman who turned into a spider?