A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Manipulation

Self-Gain Through Manipulation
At first glance, “A Very old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is no more than a fable, a child’s story. But upon further inspection, one begins to realize the underlying messages that are scattered throughout the story. In the story, the old man’s character is used as a focal point to hint to truths about the real world. The way he’s treated by the other characters is a reflection of the way people often act in reality. The story suggests that people will seize the opportunity for self-gain over the betterment of others through manipulating status and taking advantage of one’s disposition.
When the old man arrived in the town, he was viewed more as a zoo animal than, an angel. His wings are tattered and his appearance was extremely unkempt. Perhaps if he resembled a more stereotypical angel, he would have been treated with the respect he deserved. At first, he was doubted as being an angel, until Pelayo and Elisenda consulted their neighbor (the

He couldn’t even speak Latin (the language of God). In addition to not being able to express himself verbally, his cadence was so easy going that he never fought back against those who put him in the undesirable situations he ended up in. Thus, the other characters took advantage of his disposition as a selfless, humble soul. As stated in the story, “The angel was the only one who took no part in his own act” (40 Short Stories, 222). People came from far and wide to observe the angel and be entertained by his presence, but he sat dormant, paying them no mind. It was because of his own cool that he fell into this position of somewhat of a slave, like a genie in a bottle. As Kazin stated, “The man (angel) who made it all possible, however, is completely disregarded” (“Leaf Storm and Other Stories”, 40). The benefits reaped because of the angel were indulged upon, while he was left by the