World Literature in Translation- 23BEN4C1 Unit V, Lesson 1: Gabriel García Márquez - "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings"

 World Literature in Translation- 23BEN4C1

Unit V, Lesson 1: Gabriel García Márquez - "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings"

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Overview of "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings"

Gabriel García Márquez’s short story A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings is a prime example of magical realism, blending realistic narrative with fantastical elements. The story revolves around a mysterious old man with wings who appears in a coastal village, where the locals react to him with confusion, skepticism, and exploitation. Instead of viewing him with reverence, they treat him as a curiosity or nuisance, reflecting human tendencies to misunderstand and exploit the unknown. Through this tale, Márquez explores themes of faith, human cruelty, and the mundane ways in which people often respond to the miraculous. The story raises questions about the nature of miracles, the capacity for compassion, and the fine line between faith and exploitation.

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Key Passages with Explanation

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Passage:

They found the whole neighborhood in front of the house, staring at the fallen body with a mute stupor.

Explanation:

This line introduces the townspeople’s reaction to the old man, establishing the story’s atmosphere of wonder mixed with confusion. The “mute stupor” suggests that they are unsure how to interpret what they see. This reaction reflects the human tendency to react to the extraordinary with a mix of curiosity and hesitation, foreshadowing their later treatment of the old man.

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Passage:

He was dressed like a ragpicker. There were only a few faded hairs left on his bald skull and very few teeth in his mouth.

Explanation:

Márquez describes the old man in unflattering terms, emphasizing his vulnerability and aged appearance. This imagery challenges the reader’s expectation of an angelic or divine figure and invites questions about society’s preconceived notions of the divine. The old man’s frail appearance highlights themes of neglect and the potential for human cruelty in response to what is unfamiliar.

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Passage:

The angel was no less standoffish with him than with the other mortals, but he tolerated the most ingenious infamies with the patience of a dog who had no illusions.

Explanation:

This passage portrays the old man’s patient, almost resigned acceptance of the townspeople’s mistreatment. The comparison to “a dog who had no illusions” implies that he has endured similar treatment before, adding a layer of tragic endurance to his character. This image underscores the cruelty of human nature and the old man’s passive resilience in the face of their actions.

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Passage:

The world had been sad since Tuesday.

Explanation:

This seemingly simple line opens the story with a sense of melancholy and mystery. The unusual phrasing suggests that sadness is a part of the human condition, introducing an ambiguous atmosphere that permeates the narrative. It reflects the tone of magical realism, where ordinary details carry layers of deeper meaning.

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Passage:

They looked at him so long and so closely that they very soon overcame their surprise and found him familiar.

Explanation:

This line captures how the townspeople quickly lose their sense of wonder and begin to treat the old man as an ordinary curiosity rather than a miraculous being. This shift from amazement to familiarity symbolizes the human tendency to take the miraculous for granted, reflecting Márquez’s critique of how society often diminishes the extraordinary by forcing it into the mundane.

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Two-Mark Questions with Answers

1. What is the main theme of A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings?

The main theme is the human tendency to misunderstand and exploit the unknown, represented by the townspeople’s treatment of the old man.

2. How does Márquez describe the old man?

Márquez describes the old man as frail, with a bald head, few teeth, and dressed like a ragpicker, challenging typical expectations of an angelic figure.

3. What genre does A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings belong to?

The story is an example of magical realism, blending realistic narrative with fantastical elements.

4. How do the townspeople react to the old man at first?

At first, they are curious and confused, observing him with “mute stupor.”

5. What does the phrase “the world had been sad since Tuesday” imply?

It implies a sense of melancholy that is part of the human condition, setting a mystical tone for the story.

6. How does the old man respond to the townspeople’s treatment?

He passively endures their treatment with patience, similar to “a dog who had no illusions.”

7. What does the old man’s appearance challenge?

His appearance challenges conventional ideas of divinity and angelic figures, presenting the divine as vulnerable and ordinary.

8. How does the community exploit the old man?

They charge admission for people to see him, treating him as a sideshow attraction rather than showing compassion.

9. What does the story say about faith and miracles?

The story suggests that people often respond to miracles with indifference or exploitation, questioning the nature of faith.

10. What does the old man symbolize in the story?

The old man symbolizes the misunderstood or unappreciated divine, as well as the resilience of the unknown.

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Five-Mark Questions with Answers

1. Discuss the theme of exploitation in A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings.

Exploitation is central to the story, as the townspeople quickly take advantage of the old man by charging admission for people to see him. Instead of treating him with respect or compassion, they view him as an opportunity for profit. This behavior reflects humanity’s tendency to exploit the unknown for personal gain, rather than valuing the miraculous or mysterious. Márquez critiques this aspect of human nature, suggesting that people are often more concerned with material benefit than understanding or empathy.

2. How does Márquez challenge traditional depictions of angels in the story?

Márquez challenges traditional depictions of angels by presenting the old man as frail, unkempt, and dressed in rags. His appearance contrasts sharply with the typical image of an angelic, graceful figure, inviting readers to question their assumptions about the divine. This portrayal reflects the story’s theme of misunderstood divinity, as the townspeople’s expectations prevent them from recognizing the old man’s potential significance.

3. Explain the significance of the line “The world had been sad since Tuesday.”

This line introduces a tone of magical realism and foreshadows the story’s blend of melancholy and wonder. By describing the world’s sadness as starting on a specific day, Márquez suggests that human emotions and the universe’s mysteries are interwoven. This line reflects the story’s ambiguous and surreal nature, setting the stage for a narrative that examines the ordinary and the miraculous as parts of the same world.

4. How does the story reflect the themes of human cruelty and indifference?

Human cruelty and indifference are evident in how the townspeople treat the old man. They mock, prod, and profit from him, showing little regard for his well-being or dignity. Márquez uses their behavior to critique society’s tendency to dismiss or exploit things that are unfamiliar or hard to understand. Through the old man’s suffering, the story highlights the lack of empathy that can arise when people encounter the unknown.

5. Analyze the use of magical realism in A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings.

Márquez employs magical realism by blending realistic elements with the fantastical, such as the old man with wings. This genre allows him to explore complex themes, such as faith, cruelty, and the nature of miracles, within a familiar yet surreal setting. By presenting the miraculous in a mundane context, Márquez encourages readers to consider how ordinary people might react to extraordinary events, often with indifference or exploitation.

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Essay Question with Detailed Answer

Question: Examine the themes of faith, exploitation, and human cruelty in Gabriel García Márquez’s A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings.

Introduction

Gabriel García Márquez’s A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings is a story that explores themes of faith, exploitation, and human cruelty through the lens of magical realism. When a mysterious old man with wings appears in a village, the townspeople’s reactions reveal their capacity for indifference and exploitation. Instead of treating the old man with reverence or compassion, they take advantage of him, charging admission and mocking him. Márquez critiques society’s tendency to misunderstand and mistreat the unknown, encouraging readers to question their perceptions of the miraculous and the nature of faith.

Subtitles and Explanations

1. The Old Man as a Symbol of the Divine

The old man represents a misunderstood or unappreciated divine presence. His appearance challenges conventional ideas of divinity, presenting the miraculous as something ordinary. This portrayal suggests that people often overlook the divine when it does not match their expectations.

2. Exploitation of the Unknown

The townspeople’s decision to charge admission for viewing the old man reflects their desire to exploit the unknown for personal gain. Their behavior critiques humanity’s tendency to prioritize profit over compassion, emphasizing the theme of exploitation.

3. Faith and Skepticism

The villagers’ reactions to the old man reveal a complex mix of faith and skepticism. While some believe he might be an angel, others see him as a curiosity. This ambivalence reflects

the difficulty of maintaining faith in the miraculous, especially when it appears in unexpected forms.

4. Human Cruelty and Indifference

Márquez portrays human cruelty through the townspeople’s mistreatment of the old man. They poke, prod, and ridicule him, showing little regard for his dignity. This behavior underscores the theme of cruelty and the lack of empathy that often accompanies encounters with the unfamiliar.

5. The Ordinary and the Miraculous

By presenting a winged man in a mundane setting, Márquez blurs the line between the ordinary and the miraculous. This juxtaposition encourages readers to question how they might respond to the miraculous in everyday life and highlights the story’s magical realism.

6. The Priest’s Reaction to the Old Man

The local priest’s skepticism reflects the limitations of institutional religion. Instead of embracing the possibility of a miracle, he doubts the old man’s divine nature, suggesting that rigid beliefs can prevent people from recognizing the miraculous.

7. The Resilience of the Old Man

Despite the townspeople’s cruelty, the old man endures with patience and resilience. His passive acceptance of his situation suggests a strength that contrasts with the townspeople’s pettiness, emphasizing the theme of endurance.

8. The Fleeting Nature of Miracles

As time passes, the townspeople lose interest in the old man, highlighting the fleeting nature of miracles. This shift from fascination to indifference critiques how society quickly loses reverence for the extraordinary.

9. The Ambiguity of the Old Man’s Identity

Márquez leaves the old man’s true nature ambiguous, allowing readers to interpret him in multiple ways. This ambiguity enhances the story’s themes of faith and skepticism, as readers must confront their own beliefs about the miraculous.

10. Márquez’s Critique of Human Nature

Through the townspeople’s behavior, Márquez critiques human nature, suggesting that people often fail to appreciate the miraculous and instead respond with cruelty, indifference, or exploitation. The story serves as a commentary on the ways in which society misunderstands and mistreats the unknown.

Conclusion

In A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings, Gabriel García Márquez examines faith, exploitation, and human cruelty, using the magical realism genre to blur the lines between the ordinary and the miraculous. Through the townspeople’s treatment of the old man, Márquez critiques society’s tendency to dismiss or exploit what it does not understand. The story ultimately raises questions about how people respond to the miraculous, challenging readers to consider their own perceptions and values.