Running Head Reader Response Analysis

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Reader-Response Analysis Jadah Arrington ENG130-2 Colorado State University – Global Campus Dr. Stone Meredith October 13, Analysis of Magic Realism in "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Magic Realism is an integral part of Garcia Marquez's work. One of the works of Garcia is a Short example is A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. In A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, there is a classic example of magical Realism all over the story. Magical realist style infuses both fantasies with a realistic event.

Through opening people's imagination by magical Realism, we are able to see the problem affecting people .for without magical Realism; the story will lack sense. Through fantasies, in the story, we are able to see the significant points in the story. In the tale, Pelayo identifies an angel in his courtyard. "…impended by his enormous wings" (Marquez, 2016, p1). The couple ignored the advice from their neighbor who had a sick child and suggested that the angel had come for the child, and they should kill the angel.

There was not prove whether the angel and any relation to the condition of the child. Later that midnight, the child conditions improve. This event proves that people only value things that only benefit them. The couple place the angel in the chicken coop after the baby miraculous recovery. To prove this (Marquez 2016) stated that '…they put the angel on a raft with fresh water…" (p. 1) When individuals pay for the ticket to see the angel and end up not getting value for their money is another important event of enchanted authenticity. Individuals have perhaps the rarest thing which resembles a wonder, and as opposed to acknowledging, they test the angel by throwing this at it "… hurling him things to eat through the opening in the wire as though it weren't otherworldly animal" (Marquez, 2016, p.2). The crowd have a supernatural occurrence directly at their presence, yet at the same time with a more considerable amount of Father Gonzaga, 2 "different visionaries imagined that he could be put to stud to embed the earth a race of astute winged men who could bring a change into the universe." Since the holy messenger has pulled in individuals, Pelayo and his wife choose to charge and fence their compound.

The angel was seen as the wellspring of cash, business gain from the angel was the best idea Pelayo and wife could conceive in their minds. In moments later another intriguing animal appeared in the region, villages relinquish the heavenly attendant for the young lady who transformed into a creepy crawly in the wake of resisting his folks…" there landed around the local area, a demonstration of the lady, who had been changed into a bug for ignoring her folks" (Marquez, 20016, p.3). Finally, the firm plumes of the angel develop back, and he flies into the skyline. In the short story, there was evidence to prove that the older man was an angel. To begin with, he has wings that become back to ordinary at last "… firm plumes started to develop" (Marquez, 20116, p3).

The colossal wings made it difficult to ascertain whether the man as an angel (Marquez, 2016). During the visit to Pelayo home by the doctor, he noticed that the skin of the angel was different from all others. When the angel escapes and flies back to the skyline proves he is an angel and the angel maybe the reason the sons of Pelayo heal quickly proving the earlier point of neighbor’s child recovery was due to the angel's presence `` … The child woke up with a profound want to eat and without fever" (Marquez, Gabriel Garcia, p1).

Paper For Above instruction

Gabriel García Márquez's short story "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" exemplifies the literary style known as magical realism, which seamlessly blends fantastical elements with the realistic world. This style not only enriches the narrative with symbolic depth but also enables readers to explore profound themes like human nature, greed, compassion, and the unknown through an allegorical lens. This paper examines how Márquez employs magical realism to comment on societal attitudes and human behavior, emphasizing the story's critical perspective on how people respond to the inexplicable and extraordinary.

At the heart of Márquez's story is the miraculous appearance of an old man with enormous wings, which at first glance seems to be an angel. The villagers' reactions to this figure demonstrate a spectrum of human responses—from curiosity and exploitation to indifference—highlighting the complex relationship between the mundane and the divine. The story uses magical realism to blur these boundaries, transforming the old man into a symbol of divine grace and human folly simultaneously. By infusing the story with fantastical elements such as the angel's wings and miraculous healing powers, Márquez invites readers to see beyond literal interpretations and consider the underlying criticisms of social and religious norms.

The story begins with Pelayo and his wife discovering the old man in their courtyard, whose wings are described as "impended" by their vastness. The couple's initial skepticism and subsequent exploitation of the angel—charging admission for villagers to witness his presence—reveal human greed and the tendency to commodify the divine. Márquez's use of magical realism here illuminates how society often treats the miraculous as a spectacle, reducing profound spiritual experiences to entertainment or economic gains. The villagers' behavior, inscribed with a sense of curiosity and opportunism, underscores a broader critique of societal hypocrisy and superficial piety.

The narrative also explores themes of indifference and cruelty through episodes such as villagers throwing objects at the angel, testing his supernatural nature, and compassion through the old man's resilience despite their treatment. The angel's transformation—his wings eventually developing fully—symbolizes divine power hidden beneath a fragile human form. Márquez's integration of fantastical imagery, such as wings that grow and a child waking fever-free, underscores the ambiguous nature of the divine and questions the human capacity for faith and understanding. The magical realism creates a layered narrative where supernatural phenomena serve as metaphors for spiritual truths often overlooked or misunderstood by society.

Furthermore, Márquez uses magical realism to critique religious dogma and institutionalized faith. Father Gonzaga's skepticism and attempts to classify the angel demonstrate institutional religion's tendency toward rationalization and control. The story suggests that often, religious figures and institutions dismiss or diminish the divine when it does not conform to strict expectations. The angel, initially perceived as a divine messenger, becomes a subject of human manipulation and skepticism, reflecting societal tendencies to undermine the sacred for material or pragmatic concerns.

In addition to societal critique, the story explores human attitudes toward the unknown and the mystical. The villagers' mixed reactions—from awe and reverence to contempt and exploitation—mirror real-world responses to the mystical or unexplained phenomena. Márquez emphasizes that human nature tends to oscillate between curiosity and fear, often defaulting to exploitation or dismissiveness. This ambivalence is vividly captured through the magical realism that elevates the old man to a divine figure, yet also exposes his vulnerability and the society's capacity for cruelty.

In conclusion, García Márquez’s "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" masterfully uses magical realism to critique societal norms, religious practices, and human nature. The fantastical elements are not merely decorative but serve as powerful metaphors to question the superficial treatment of the divine, the exploitation of miracles, and the fear of the unknown. By blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy, Márquez invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of the divine and to reflect on the societal behaviors that shape their understanding of the miraculous. This story remains a profound commentary on the ways humans encounter and interpret the inexplicable in their lives.

References

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