A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings Analysis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Module 2: Critical Thinking Assignment
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Reader-Response Analysis for “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”
Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s short story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” offers an incredible account that focuses on how the natural can be weaved with the supernatural in an unexpected, but yet a stimulating way. The story intrigues the reader to think about what the response would be if one was confronted with a supernatural phenomenon. The author utilizes various inventive diversions that offer a unique approach compared to the basic storyline, which makes the interpretation of this message more elusive. On the same note, the themes and techniques used in the narrative are inseparable and intertwined. The old man, who is the key character in the story influences the events that construct it, and the author often shifts focus due to interruptions that arise by the undertakings of other characters. The intent of this paper is to address and analyze the key ideas that emerge in the tone, irony, magical realism presented in the narrative.
In the first paragraph, the narrator states “The world had been sad since Tuesday” (Márquez, p. 1). The statement introduces the reader to the mundane and repugnant aspects of life blending with the supernatural. In this context, the tone of the narrative is presented, which is highlighted by creativity with a unique approach to present a narrative that embeds the daily life, but yet supersedes it due to the supernatural phenomenon. Subsequently, Márquez invites the audience to focus keenly on the events of our lives and how we respond to the mundane that occurs. The author inspires us to always take a second glance at events that are not considered normal and might carry a deeper meaning than what we first perceive them to be. Arguably, the author tries to communicate that mingling of the mundane with the supernatural can have a positive impact on our lives if we take a positive perspective. The tone of the narrative is set in its beginning, with the author being able to capture the imagination of the reader with the most natural and unexpected occurrences that are captured in the situation of an unknown man in the midst of changing weather that is exemplified by the statement, “ The light was so weak at noon that when Pelayo was coming back to the house after throwing away the crabs. It was hard for him to see what it was that was moving and groaning in the rear of the courtyard” (Márquez, p. 1). The author goes on to give an account of a magical creature that no-one had seen before. By introducing the magical elements in the beginning of the story, Márquez presents a new perspective to the ideology of angels by exposing the weaknesses and aspects that compromised the old man with enormous wings like those of angels by stating that the man was “ impeded by his enormous wings” despite his efforts (Márquez, p. 1).
Another key idea evident in the story is the use of irony. In this context, the s...