Magical Realism in Context Analysis of A Very Old Man...

Magical Realism in Context: Analysis of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings From the beginning of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, the ordinary begins to confront the extraordinary. This short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, one of the most famous Latin American authors, was introduced to the world in 1955. By examining the magical and realistic elements of this short story, the theoretical term given to an emerging art form of the mid- twentieth century can be applied to a work of literature. Marquez does not waste time ushering in the magical elements of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. The main character of the story, Pelayo, was coming back to his house after throwing away many crabs that had come into†¦show more content†¦All she needed was one look to show him his mistake-the old man was an angel, she thought (Marquez 525). Many other unreal or magical events occur throughout Marquezs short story. One amusing instance occurred when the citizens were making conjectures about the old mans future. One suggested that he should be named mayor of the world-clearly an extraordinary idea! Others thought he could implant on Earth a race of winged wise men to take charge of the universe (Marquez 526). Another hilarious instance occurred when a citizen tried to make the old man eat mothballs. Mothballs, according to the wisdom of a wise neighborhood woman, were the food prescribed for angels (Marquez 527). Although many magical elements exist throughout A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings, these unreal occurrences are balanced with realistic elements. Even though the old man had wings, he was otherwise quite normal. The parish priest commented that he was much too human, much too dirty and weathered to be measured up to the proud dignity of the angels (Marquez 527). The surrounding characters act in a normal manner. Pelayos wife, Elisenda, seeks to capitalize on the angel in their chicken coop, charging five cents admission to see him (Marquez 526). With this money they later built a mansion (Marquez 528). Unlike many fantastic works where money or value of property is considered to be much too worldly and greedy, this short story contains elements of theShow MoreRelatedMagical Realism As A Sense Of Psychological Mystery And Wonder3415 Words   |  14 PagesMagical realism, at its very root, has always involved a sense of psychological mystery and wonder; partly due to its intended audience, which may range from mere children to adults seeking a sense of spirituality or morality through verbatim. Psychology involves in particular the study of cognitive occurrences and processes. Magical realism can broadly be defined as a typically mundane novel injected with â€Å"the other,† which is something extraordinary or unbelievable. 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