A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel García Marquez - Notes - SSLC English - Activities
a. Why does the sight of the old man frighten Pelayo?
Pelayo is frightened because the old man looks strange and unnatural — he is lying face down in the mud, groaning, and has enormous wings, which make him appear eerie and otherworldly.
b. Why was the old man unable to get up?
The old man couldn't get up because his enormous wings were entangled in the mud, and he was extremely weak, making movement difficult.
c. The couple consider the old man a ‘lonely castaway’. Why?
They think he might be a shipwrecked foreigner, as he speaks an incomprehensible dialect and has the appearance of someone who has suffered greatly, resembling a ragpicker or a stranded sailor.
d. Why was the neighbour woman sure that the old man was an angel?
She believed he was an angel because of his wings, and claimed that he must have come for the sick child, but was too old and weak to complete his task and got knocked down by the rain.
e. Why did Pelayo arm himself with a club?
Pelayo kept a bailiff’s club to guard the angel, fearing he might be dangerous or that he might try to escape or harm someone.
f. What made the couple suddenly decide to treat the man with some 'kindness'?
They became kind after their sick child recovered, which they thought might be because of the angel’s presence. This made them feel magnanimous and consider setting him free.
g. Why does Pelayo lock the old man in the chicken coop?
Pelayo locks him up to keep him confined and under control, treating him like a curiosity or an animal, especially once crowds start gathering to see the angel.
h. Why do the people treat the old man like a ‘circus animal’?
People treat him like a spectacle rather than a divine being. They poke, prod, and throw things at him, hoping to see something miraculous, and are more interested in his strangeness than in showing him compassion.
i. Do you think Elisenda is shrewd and clever? Why?
Yes, Elisenda is portrayed as shrewd and clever because she quickly realizes the opportunity to make money by turning the angel into a public attraction. She suggests charging admission to see him, and the couple soon becomes rich from the visitors. This shows her practical and profit-driven mindset.
j. 'His only supernatural virtue seemed to be patience.' Why does the author say so?
The author says this because, despite the cruel treatment the old man faces — being locked up, poked, mocked, and ignored — he never complains or fights back. His calm endurance in the face of suffering is the only extraordinary quality he consistently shows, highlighting his silent strength and dignity.
k. Why do more people flock to see the woman rather than the old man?
People flock to see the spider-woman because her story is more entertaining and understandable. She speaks to the crowd, answers questions, and provides a clear narrative, while the old man remains silent, mysterious, and passive, which makes him less appealing to a curious audience seeking excitement or spectacle.
l. Why is the doctor surprised by the ‘logic of the wings’?
The doctor is surprised because, although the old man appears completely human, the wings fit his body naturally, as if they truly belong there. This challenges the doctor’s understanding of anatomy and reality — he can’t explain how such wings could logically exist on a human, yet they seem perfectly natural on the old man.
m. Why does Elisenda let out a sigh of relief?
Elisenda sighs in relief when she sees the old man finally flying away. It’s a mix of personal freedom and emotional release — she is relieved that the burden and disturbance he caused in their lives is gone, and perhaps also feels a hint of respect or peace seeing him escape after enduring so much.
Let's Rewind:
Revisit the story and respond to the following questions
1. What is the old man’s role in the story? How does his presence affect Pelayo’s family?
The old man functions as a symbol of the unknown, suffering, and divinity. His presence brings miraculous healing to the sick child and transforms the family’s life by attracting crowds that make them rich. However, he is also treated with cruelty and neglect, showing how people exploit what they don’t understand.
2. Mention any two traits of the old man that impress you.
Patience: Despite being mistreated, he endures silently.
Resilience: He survives illness, cold, and suffering, and finally regains strength to fly away.
3. What elements of the story do you consider magical? Why?
The old man’s wings: A human with bird-like wings is a fantastical element.
The spider-woman’s story: A woman turned into a spider by lightning is purely mythical.
These magical elements blend seamlessly into an otherwise realistic setting, which is a hallmark of magical realism.
4. Describe the old man’s first clumsy attempts at flight.
He tries to fly but stumbles and nearly knocks down the shed. His movements are awkward, like those of a senile vulture, yet he finally manages to lift off and fly slowly away over the houses.
5. What happens to the old man’s popularity in the course of time?
Initially, he is a sensation, drawing huge crowds. But as time passes and a more interesting attraction appears (the spider-woman), people lose interest in him. Eventually, he is forgotten and left in poor conditions.
6. Pick out instances of the following from the story:
Imagery
"lying face down in the mud"
"huge buzzard wings, dirty and half-plucked"
"crammed their rooms with money"
Simile
"like a ragpicker"
"like a stray dying man"
"like the feathers of a scarecrow"
"like a senile vulture"
Magical elements
The old man’s wings
The woman turned into a spider
The child’s sudden recovery
The old man’s final flight
7. The old man finally manages to fly away. Elisenda watches him till he disappears. You may discuss in groups and attempt alternative endings to the story.
Here are a few alternative endings:
The angel blesses the family before flying away, leaving them changed and more compassionate.
He speaks one last sentence in a heavenly language, revealing his purpose.
He takes the child with him, suggesting a spiritual journey.
He returns to the sea, disappearing like a mythical being.
8. Who suffers the most in the story? What does the story tell us about the need for compassion?
The old man suffers the most — he is mocked, caged, neglected, and mistreated despite possibly being divine. The story reminds us that true compassion is rare; people often exploit or fear what they don’t understand. It teaches us to treat others — especially the weak and strange — with kindness and empathy.
Character Sketch: The Old Man
The old man is a strange, otherworldly figure who arrives unexpectedly in the courtyard of Pelayo and Elisenda’s home. He appears frail and vulnerable, with bald patches on his head, few teeth, and enormous wings that are dirty, damaged, and caked with mud. His physical state evokes more pity than awe, making it hard for people to believe he could be an angel. He speaks in an unfamiliar dialect, which makes communication impossible and adds to the mystery surrounding him. Despite his bizarre appearance and possible divine nature, he is treated with cruelty, locked in a chicken coop, and mocked and abused by the townspeople.
What makes the old man remarkable is his extraordinary patience. He does not resist the torment he suffers, even when he is poked, pelted, and plucked by curious onlookers. His silence and endurance suggest a deep inner strength and wisdom, contrasting sharply with the greed and thoughtlessness of the people around him. Symbolically, the old man represents the misunderstood and marginalized, those who are extraordinary but treated as burdens or spectacles. His quiet, undemanding presence questions the morality of society and challenges us to consider how we respond to those who are different. His final flight, slow and awkward, is both a moment of freedom and a quiet victory.
Character Sketch: Pelayo
Pelayo is an ordinary man trying to care for his family in difficult conditions. At the beginning of the story, he is frightened by the strange creature in his courtyard but quickly grows used to it. Initially, he shows concern for his sick child and takes steps to protect his home, even arming himself with a club out of fear. However, once the couple realizes the money-making potential of the old man’s presence, Pelayo becomes more focused on profit than morality. He goes along with locking the old man in the coop and becomes a passive participant in the exploitation.
As the crowds grow and the money pours in, Pelayo's life improves. He gives up his low-paying job and enjoys a life of comfort thanks to the old man. He does not seem to reflect on the ethical cost of this gain. In many ways, Pelayo is a symbol of the average person—practical, reactive, and easily swayed by opportunity. He is not overtly cruel but lacks the empathy to see the old man as more than an inconvenience or a way to make money. His journey shows how easily moral concerns can be pushed aside in the pursuit of comfort.
Character Sketch: Elisenda
Elisenda is a complex character who balances care and calculation. At the beginning of the story, she is seen nursing her sick child, showing her nurturing and responsible side. However, like Pelayo, she quickly shifts from compassion to capitalism when she realizes people will pay to see the old man. It is Elisenda who comes up with the idea of fencing the yard and charging admission, demonstrating her cleverness and practicality. Her decisions help the family become wealthy and leave behind their former struggles.
As the story progresses, Elisenda becomes increasingly materialistic and emotionally detached. She buys expensive clothing and enjoys her newfound wealth, but the old man becomes a burden she wishes to forget. Her final sigh of relief as he flies away shows that she sees him as a nuisance rather than a miracle. Elisenda represents how easily people can become indifferent to suffering once their needs are met. Though she begins as a caring mother, she ends up a symbol of cold convenience, showing how quickly wonder and mystery can be replaced by greed and weariness.
News Report
Mysterious Winged Old Man Draws Crowd and Concern
By Our Special Correspondent
[Place], [Date]
A strange and fragile old man with enormous wings has been discovered in the courtyard of Pelayo and Elisenda’s residence. Believed by some to be an angel, this man was found face down in the mud and has since been locked inside a chicken coop.
The couple began charging five cents to view the man, resulting in crowds from distant towns gathering at the scene. While some came out of curiosity, others sought healing. However, the man has been subjected to inhumane treatment—mocked, harassed, and ignored.
A concerned citizen wrote to this newspaper urging the authorities and community to show compassion. Experts remain baffled by the man’s physical condition, especially his wings, which seem naturally attached.
This incident raises serious ethical concerns about human empathy and our treatment of the helpless. More coverage and official action are expected soon.
Diary Entry by Pelayo
Diary Entry –[Date]
Today, my life changed in ways I couldn’t have imagined. An old man with wings landed in our courtyard. At first, I was terrified. I thought he was some creature of doom. But soon, the fear turned into curiosity and then…opportunity.
People started pouring in to see him. We made more money in a week than I had in years of work. We even dreamt of building a new house.
But at night, I wonder—was it right? He never asked for anything. He just sat there, tired and quiet. I see the sadness in his wings. I don’t know what he is. Angel or not, he’s changed everything.
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