Themes
Ambiguity and Storytelling
At first glance, with its mystical imagery, the short story may seem like a typical folk tale. However, as the story unfolds, nothing seems as straightforward as it appears. Gabriel García Márquez offers rich symbolism and connotations throughout the story, drawing readers in with the possibility of unraveling a clear meaning, lesson, or moral. Yet, at every turn, the narrative resists such definitive interpretations.
By embracing ambiguity as a central theme, Márquez reflects on the inherent nature of storytelling itself and the relationship between authors and readers. Readers typically expect stories to provide clear meanings that can be deciphered through symbols, actions, and characterization. However, Márquez challenges these expectations and presents life as inherently uncertain and mysterious. The blending of the magical and the mundane within the story erases any clear boundaries between the two realms, prompting readers to confront and embrace the ongoing unpredictability that life entails.
Otherness
To the townspeople, the enigmatic old man with wings is “the other,” an unknown entity that sets him apart from their community. Consequently, they regard him with suspicion and treat him as inferior.
Pelayo and Elisenda initially try to unravel the old man's identity and origin but, faced with his incomprehensible language, they quickly give up. They view him only as a source of profit, regardless of whether he is an angel or a shipwrecked old man with wings. As hordes of people flock to witness the old man, he is treated as a mere attraction, without any consideration for his humanity or even his potential resemblance to humans.
Some townspeople believe the old man to be an angel, while others simply label him as "Norwegian." After realizing that the old man does not “understand the language of God or know how to greet His ministers,” even Father Gonzaga summarily dismisses him. Through his characters, Márquez comments on the pervasive tendency among individuals to marginalize those who do not conform to readily identifiable categories. By not fitting neatly within the labels known to the townspeople, the old man is stripped of his inherent humanity and subjected to a lowered status, rendering him undeserving of dignity.
Religious Belief
Right from the beginning, the presence of the old man's massive wings evokes the image of an angel and immediately raises religious connotations. As an angel, the old man would be seen as a messenger from heaven, positioned closer to God than any of the villagers. However, due to his unfamiliar appearance, the characters fail to treat him with the reverence expected for such a celestial being. Pelayo and Elisenda confine him to a chicken coop, a demeaning place for a creature that is not a chicken. The townspeople who gather to witness the old man's presence view him more as an attraction than a divine being. This is an example of situational irony since most people are there to see him because of their belief in God.
When the old man fails to share a compelling story or explanation for his arrival, feelings of disappointment arise among many townspeople. They quickly abandon their fascination with him when the “spider woman” arrives, showcasing how religious belief can be fickle and easily swayed. Márquez suggests that people tend to believe what aligns with their preexisting convictions, often disregarding evidence to the contrary. Furthermore, the supposed miracles attributed to the old man have no relevance to the ailments people hoped to be cured of. This demonstrates how individuals often choose to believe what they want to believe, even when it contradicts reality.
The skepticism displayed by Father Gonzaga exemplifies how the religious beliefs of church officials become entangled with intricate church doctrines. He dismisses the possibility of the old man being an angel solely because he does not understand Latin. In fact, he even goes as far as cautioning spectators that the old man might be an instrument of the devil.
Overall, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" prompts readers to critically reflect on the intricacies of religious beliefs and the potential contradictions that can arise when adhering to rigid interpretations and preconceived notions.
