The Old Man with Enormous Wings – Class 10 Lecture Review

18 question-and-answer flashcards covering characters, plot, themes, genre, important quotes, symbolism, and moral lessons from Gabriel García Márquez’s "The Old Man with Enormous Wings."

Who wrote "The Old Man with Enormous Wings"?

Gabriel García Márquez.

What literary genre best describes "The Old Man with Enormous Wings"?

Magic Realism.

Where do Pelayo and Elisenda first find the old man with wings?

In their courtyard during a rainstorm.

Why do Pelayo and Elisenda lock the old man in a chicken coop?

They are afraid of him and unsure of what he is, so they confine him for safety and curiosity.

How does Father Gonzaga initially react to the old man?

He doubts the old man is an angel because he looks too human and speaks an unknown dialect.

Which quote highlights the old man’s ragged appearance?

"He was dressed like a ragpicker."

How do the villagers treat the old man?

As a circus attraction—mocking, gawking, and exploiting him for entertainment.

Who becomes more popular than the old man, and why?

The Spider-Woman, because her simple, relatable backstory is easier for the crowd to understand.

What personal benefit do Pelayo and Elisenda gain from the old man's presence?

They charge admission to see him and become wealthy enough to improve their home.

What eventually happens to the old man at the end of the story?

He regains strength, spreads his enormous wings, and flies away.

Name two central themes of the story.

Human Nature and Cruelty; Faith and Doubt (others include Exploitation of the Weak and Magic Realism).

What symbolic role does the old man play in the narrative?

He symbolizes society’s misunderstanding and mistreatment of the unfamiliar or marginalized.

According to the notes, what moral lesson does the story convey?

Not to judge by appearances and to recognize how society mistreats what it does not understand.

Which character is primarily concerned with verifying the old man’s divinity?

Father Gonzaga, the local priest.

What is Pelayo’s initial emotional response upon finding the old man?

Fear and confusion.

Why do the townspeople lose interest in the old man over time?

Because he performs no clear miracles and the Spider-Woman’s simpler story captures their attention.

What enigmatic behavior does the old man exhibit when questioned by villagers?

He only lifts his eyes and mutters incomprehensibly in his own dialect.

How does the story exemplify Magic Realism?

By blending ordinary village life with an extraordinary, unexplained being—a winged old man—without clear logical explanation.