Human Nature and Faith in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Introduction: Identifying Universal Themes in the Story

In Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” the universal themes of human nature and faith present themselves throughout the narrative.

Analyzing the Presence of Two Key Themes

The theme of human nature is evident in how the villagers treat the older man. Despite his otherworldly appearance and the possibility of being an angel, the villagers abuse him and exploit his existence for their gain. This reflects how people often react to things they don’t understand—with fear, suspicion, and, often, cruelty.

For instance, Pelayo and Elisenda, who initially took him in, quickly capitalized on his presence by charging admission for people to see him. This exploitation is starkly depicted when Marquez writes, “They built a perch for him in the courtyard and put him on display in a chicken coop, and after three days, they began to charge admission.”

The villagers’ response to the older man embodies the theme of faith. His presence stirs a religious frenzy, with people traveling from afar to witness the purported ‘angel.’ However, the villagers’ faith is superficial and self-serving (Márquez). They quickly seek miracles for their ailments and problems but show no compassion or kindness towards the older man, who they believe to be divine figures.

A passage that illustrates this theme is, “The sick ones were not interested in the angel because he was an antiquated stranger, full of barnyard smells, who spoke an incomprehensible language, but they spent their time finding out if the whim could be used in some way for their health.”

The Relationship Between Setting, Characterization, and Theme

The story’s setting is a small, superstitious village, and the villagers’ characterization as both curious and cruel reinforces these themes. They reflect on the human tendency to exploit the unfamiliar for personal gain and the often-hypocritical nature of faith.

The Significance of the Story’s Title

The title, “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” is significant as it highlights the story’s central conflict – the struggle between faith and skepticism, compassion and cruelty. The older man is neither entirely accepted as an angel nor a human, reflecting the villagers’ conflict between their religious beliefs and actions.

Conclusion

Therefore, Marquez’s story explores these universal themes through its narrative, setting, and characters, providing a critical commentary on human nature and faith.

Work Cited

Márquez, Gabriel García. A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. 2014.

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StudyCorgi. (2025) 'Human Nature and Faith in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez'. 20 March.

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StudyCorgi. "Human Nature and Faith in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez." March 20, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/human-nature-and-faith-in-a-very-old-man-with-enormous-wings-by-gabriel-garcia-marquez/.

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StudyCorgi. 2025. "Human Nature and Faith in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez." March 20, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/human-nature-and-faith-in-a-very-old-man-with-enormous-wings-by-gabriel-garcia-marquez/.

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