Wouldn’t it be magnificent if everyone wasn’t so caught up in there selfish, greedy ways? Then there would be no need for insurance, money, or even politics for that matter. A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings is a magically realistic short story written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The story is about a very old man, who is caught flying in a storm (haven’t we all been there) and crash lands in the courtyard of a man named Pelayo and his wife Elisenda. Pelayo and his wife are shocked by this terrible occurrence, but somehow (like most Politicians these days) find a way to make money off of the poor and helpless.
It’s quickly decided that this man is a fallen angel. Afterward, the old man is,” locked up with the hens in a wire chicken coop.”(This doesn’t sound at all like hospitality). Soon, all the towns and cities throughout the countryside are hearing about the,” fallen angel.” Pelayo and his wife are becoming wealthier by the minute. People from all over are traveling to catch just a glimpse of the supposed angel. The angel, however, isn’t responding as enthusiastically as hoped for some. It’s either because he’s locked in a chicken coop, or the fact that with Geico he could’ve saved fifteen percent or more on his insurance.
Thereafter, a new sight came into town. “The woman who had been changed into a spider”, acquired everyone’s attention. Like kids with new toys, the townsfolk left the old man all by his lonesome at the chicken coop. Some time after that, Pelayo and his family are living large in their ill gained mansion, while the old man,” went dragging himself here and there like a stray dying man.” “Elisenda shouted that it was awful living in a hell full of angels.”(I wonder how the angel is feeling at this point). This goes to show just how people can be so washed up in their self pity, that they over look how blessed and healthy they are.
In time, the old man grew back some of the bigger feathers on his gigantic wings. Eventually, the old man makes some attempts flying again. It starts off pretty ridiculously, resembling the effect of a dog running into a glass door. Then the angel finally takes flight. He’s free once again, away from the insensitive wants and needs of everyday life.
Tanner Bratton
