Gabriel García Márquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" is a deceptively simple short story that delves into profound themes of faith, belief, and the human condition. While seemingly straightforward in its narrative, the story's richness lies in its subtle exploration of these themes through the lens of a peculiar event: the arrival of an angel.
The Plot: A Summary
The story centers on the unexpected appearance of a very old man with enormous wings in the courtyard of Pelayo and Elisenda's humble home. Initially, fear and curiosity grip the community, with many believing him to be an angel, a testament to their simple faith. However, the novelty quickly wears off. The initial awe is replaced by a pragmatic, almost exploitative, response.
The couple initially confines the angel, charging a small fee for people to witness the spectacle. This quickly turns into a lucrative business, diverting attention from their ailing child. The arrival of the "spider-woman," a sideshow attraction with a more conventional and marketable appeal, further relegates the angel to the background, a forgotten wonder. The angel, seemingly resigned to his fate, remains in the chicken coop, silently enduring the curious stares and lack of proper care. He attempts to communicate, to no avail. His ultimate fate remains ambiguous, suggesting his eventual release or perhaps his fading into insignificance.
Themes Explored:
Faith and Belief: The story questions the nature of faith. Is it genuine devotion, or is it simply a spectacle to be consumed and then discarded? The townspeople's initial awe gives way to indifference, highlighting the fickle nature of faith in the face of the mundane. Their fascination quickly shifts to the more easily marketable "spider-woman," demonstrating a preference for the sensational over the truly miraculous. The angel himself, despite his apparent divinity, receives little genuine reverence.
The Mundane and the Miraculous: The story juxtaposes the extraordinary event of an angel's arrival with the ordinary realities of life. Pelayo and Elisenda's concerns are primarily practical – their sick child, their finances. The angel's presence, while initially miraculous, becomes normalized and even exploited. This stark contrast forces a reflection on how humanity often reduces the extraordinary to the mundane, stripping it of its inherent wonder.
Humanity's Response to the Extraordinary: Márquez masterfully illustrates the shortcomings of human nature. The initial wonder and awe quickly devolve into curiosity, exploitation, and ultimately, indifference. The angel, a symbol of divine intervention, becomes simply another attraction in the cycle of everyday life. The lack of genuine compassion and understanding highlights the limitations of human empathy.
The Ambiguity of the Ending:
The story's ending is intentionally open-ended. The angel's eventual fate is left to the reader's interpretation. Did he fly away, symbolizing the fleeting nature of faith? Or did he simply fade away, unnoticed and forgotten, a poignant commentary on human apathy? The ambiguity underscores the story's lasting impact, leaving the reader to ponder the questions it raises long after finishing the narrative.
Conclusion: A Lasting Impression
"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" is more than just a magical realism tale; it's a profound meditation on faith, humanity, and the unexpected. Through its captivating narrative and ambiguous ending, the story leaves a lasting impression, prompting reflection on the nature of belief, the limits of human compassion, and the often-unremarkable ways we encounter the extraordinary. The story's enduring power stems from its ability to elicit these introspective questions, prompting a deeper understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.
