A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. How does the narrator describe the weather and its effects in the exposition of the story?

In the exposition of the story, the narrator describes the weather as rainy and gray. The rain is persistent and heavy, transforming the courtyard into a muddy swamp and making it difficult for Pelayo and Elisenda to go about their daily activities.

b. Describe the strange old man as Palayo and his wife first encounter within their courtyard.

When Pelayo and Elisenda first encounter the strange old man in their courtyard, the narrator describes him as having enormous wings, dirty and half-plucked. He is dressed in tattered rags, and his wings are so large that they drag on the ground.

c. Why did Pelayo and Elisenda imprison the old man in the chicken coop?

Pelayo and Elisenda imprison the old man in the chicken coop because they believe he is an angel who has come to take their sick child. They initially fear him and keep him locked up to protect their family and seek advice on what to do with him.

d. Why was Father Gonzaga not sure about the old man being a celestial messenger?

Father Gonzaga is not sure about the old man being a celestial messenger because he exhibits human-like qualities and lacks the grandeur typically associated with divine beings. The priest suspects that the old man may be an imposter or a fallen angel rather than a genuine celestial messenger.

e. Many people gathered at Palayo’s house to see the strange old man. Why do you think the crowd assembled to see him?

The crowd assembles at Pelayo's house to see the strange old man out of curiosity and the desire to witness something extraordinary. They view him as a spectacle and hope to witness miracles or receive blessings by being in his presence.

f. Some miracles happened while the crowd gathers to see the strange man. What are these miracles?

Several miracles occur while the crowd gathers to see the strange man. These miracles include the healing of a paralyzed child, the revival of a dead man, and the curing of various illnesses. The narrator describes these events as extraordinary occurrences happening in the presence of the old man, reinforcing the belief that he possesses supernatural powers.

g. State the irritating things that the people did with the strange old man.

The people do several irritating things with the strange old man. They poke him with branding irons to see if he reacts, throw stones at him, burn him with hot wax, and try to make him speak by shouting in his ears. They treat him as an object of curiosity and amusement, subjecting him to physical and emotional torment without considering his well-being.

h. How and why was the woman changed into a spider?

The reason behind the changing of the woman into a spider is lightning. Without any permission, she went out to dance and when she was returning from the forest a massive lightning strike shattered the sky and a bolt of brimstone hit and converted her into a spider.

i. Describe how Elisenda saw the strange man flying over the houses.

While chopping vegetables in the kitchen, Elisenda felt a breeze and glanced out the window. She saw the old man with big wings trying to fly. After a while, he managed to fly and disappeared swiftly, leaving Elisenda astonished and curious about his remarkable feat.

Reference to the context

a. The arrival of a strange old man at Palayo’s courtyard arouses many suspicions and explanations. Explain how the neighbour woman, Father Gonzaga and the doctor speak of the strange man. Why do you think these three people give three different kinds of interpretations?

The arrival of the strange old man at Pelayo's courtyard leads to various suspicions and explanations. According to the neighbor woman, he is an "angel" who came for their child but was weakened by the rain. Father Gonzaga, however, is uncertain about the old man being a celestial messenger because he doesn't understand the language of God or behave like an angel. The doctor, analyzing the situation from a medical perspective, finds abnormalities in the old man's body and concludes that he couldn't live for long. These three individuals provide different interpretations based on their beliefs, roles, and observations. The neighbor woman holds a supernatural belief, Father Gonzaga seeks evidence and religious context, and the doctor approaches it from a medical standpoint.

b. This story belongs to the genre of ‘magical realism’, a genre perfected by Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his novels and short stories. Magical realism is a narrative technique in which the story-teller narrates the common place things with magical colour and the events look both magical and real at the same time. Collect five magic realist happenings from the story and argue why they seem magical to you.

In the story, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," several magical realist happenings can be identified. Here are five examples and explanations of why they appear magical:

1. The arrival of the old man with enormous wings: The sudden appearance of an old man with massive wings in Pelayo's courtyard is a fantastical event that defies the laws of nature. The extraordinary nature of his presence, coupled with his physical attributes, creates a magical aura around him.
2. The miracles and transformations: Throughout the story, various miraculous events occur in the presence of the old man. For instance, a blind man grows three new teeth, a paralytic almost wins the lottery, and a leper's shores flourish with sunflowers. These occurrences challenge the boundaries of reality, suggesting a supernatural influence.
3. The old man's ability to heal: Despite his frail appearance, the old man possesses the power to heal others. People believe that his mere presence has the potential to cure ailments, which reinforces the magical element surrounding him.
4. Elisenda witnessing the old man flying over houses: Elisenda, while chopping vegetables in the kitchen, observes the old man attempting to fly. She witnesses him successfully taking flight and disappearing. This surreal event of a man defying gravity and soaring through the air adds a magical dimension to the story.
5. The transformation of the woman into a spider: When a lightning bolt strikes a woman returning from the forest, she is transformed into a spider. This sudden metamorphosis, involving a human turning into an animal, exemplifies the magical realism genre by blending the ordinary and the extraordinary in an unexpected manner.

These magical realist happenings evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment, challenging the reader's perception of reality. They introduce elements of magic and fantasy into an otherwise mundane setting, blurring the line between the supernatural and the everyday world.

c. The author introduces the episode of a woman who became a spider for having disobeyed her parents. This episode at once shifts people’s concentration from the strange old man to the spider woman. What do you think is the purpose of the author to bring this shift in the story?

The purpose of the author in introducing the episode of the woman transformed into a spider is to highlight the fickle nature of human attention and the tendency to chase after novelty. By shifting the focus from the strange old man to the spider woman, the author emphasizes how easily people can become distracted and lose interest in something that initially captivated their attention.

In the story, the arrival of the old man with enormous wings initially creates a spectacle, attracting a crowd of people who are intrigued by his presence. However, as time goes on and the novelty wears off, the crowd's interest wanes, and they become more fascinated by the bizarre transformation of the woman into a spider. This shift reflects the fleeting nature of human curiosity and the constant search for something new and sensational.

Additionally, the author may use this shift to comment on the superficiality of human behavior and the tendency to prioritize outward appearances or sensationalism over deeper understanding or empathy. The spider woman becomes the center of attention because her transformation is visually striking and strange, whereas the old man's true nature and potential significance as a celestial being are overlooked or forgotten.

Ultimately, by bringing this shift in the story, the author prompts the reader to reflect on the fleeting nature of human interest, the power of spectacle and novelty, and the potential consequences of overlooking deeper truths in favor of superficial attractions.

d. The story deals with the common people’s gullibility. How do Palayo and his wife take advantage of common people’s whim?

In the story, Pelayo and his wife Elisenda take advantage of the common people's gullibility by exploiting their curiosity and desire for spectacle. They see the strange old man with wings as an opportunity to profit from the people's fascination and make money.

Initially, when the old man appears in their courtyard, Pelayo and Elisenda view him as a burden and an inconvenience. However, they quickly realize that the townspeople are willing to pay to see the mysterious creature. They start charging admission fees and allow the crowd to gather in their yard, transforming their home into a makeshift attraction.

Pelayo and Elisenda exploit the common people's whim by capitalizing on their curiosity and charging them for the opportunity to witness the strange old man. They view him as a source of income and turn their home into a spectacle for the public. They make no effort to protect or understand the old man's true nature, instead treating him as a mere curiosity to be exploited for financial gain.

This exploitation highlights the gullibility of the common people, who are easily swayed by the allure of the unusual and are willing to pay for the chance to witness something extraordinary. Pelayo and Elisenda's actions reflect the opportunistic nature of human behavior and the willingness to take advantage of others' curiosity and fascination for personal gain.

Reference beyond the text

a. An irresistible crowd queues at Palayo’s house for many days simply to look at the strange old man. Narrate an episode from your experience or from another story where people assemble in crowds, not for any noble cause.

One episode that comes to mind where people assemble in crowds not for any noble cause is the phenomenon of "retail frenzy" during major sales events or product launches. I remember witnessing this firsthand during a Black Friday sale at a popular electronics store.

As the doors opened, a large crowd of eager shoppers flooded into the store, driven by the promise of discounted prices and limited-time deals. People rushed through the aisles, grabbing items off shelves and filling their carts as quickly as possible. The atmosphere was chaotic, with everyone vying for the best deals and competing to get their hands on the latest gadgets.

The scene was marked by a sense of frenzy and urgency, with people pushing and shoving to get ahead. It seemed that the desire for a good deal had transformed ordinary shoppers into a determined and relentless crowd. The focus was purely on personal gain and the pursuit of material possessions, with little regard for others or the consequences of their actions.

In this episode, the crowd's motivation was driven by the allure of discounts and the excitement of being part of a shopping event. There was no noble cause or greater purpose behind their assembly. The spectacle of the crowd was a testament to the power of consumerism and the influence it can have on people's behavior, temporarily overshadowing values like patience, consideration, and empathy.

This episode serves as a reminder that crowds can assemble for various reasons, and not all of them are noble or altruistic. It highlights how our desires and the influence of external factors can shape our behavior and lead to collective actions that may not align with higher ideals or social good.

b. The taste of children is different from grown-ups. What are the elements in the story that make ‘The Old Man with Enormous Wings’ a children’s story?

"The Old Man with Enormous Wings" contains several elements that make it suitable for children's storytelling:

1. Magical and fantastical elements: The presence of an old man with enormous wings is a fantastical element that sparks children's imagination and sense of wonder. The story incorporates magical realism, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, which is often appealing to young readers.
2. Simple and accessible language: The story utilizes straightforward language and avoids complex vocabulary or intricate sentence structures. This makes it easier for children to understand and engage with the narrative without getting overwhelmed.
3. Imagery and visual descriptions: The story paints vivid images through its descriptions, such as the portrayal of the old man's appearance, the rain-soaked environment, and the peculiarities of the spider woman. These visual elements help captivate children's attention and create a visually rich storytelling experience.
4. Themes of curiosity and discovery: The story explores themes of curiosity and discovery, which are common and relatable to children. The characters, especially Pelayo and Elisenda, exhibit a sense of curiosity as they try to understand and make sense of the strange old man. Children often possess a natural curiosity and desire to explore the unknown, making this theme appealing to them.
5. Moral lessons and ethical dilemmas: Although subtle, the story raises ethical questions and moral dilemmas through the treatment of the old man. It prompts children to consider concepts of empathy, kindness, and the treatment of others who are different. The narrative encourages discussions around compassion and the importance of accepting and helping those in need.

Overall, "The Old Man with Enormous Wings" incorporates imaginative elements, simple language, visual descriptions, relatable themes, and moral undertones that cater to children's tastes and engage their young minds.