Who Is The Protagonist In A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings?

In “The Old Man with Enormous Wings,” the narrative deviates from a traditional protagonist-antagonist dynamic, as there isn’t a single central antagonist. Instead, the story presents a collective antagonist in the form of the community itself. While there isn’t a clear-cut villain, various members of the community contribute to making the angel’s life exceptionally challenging. Thus, the community collectively assumes the role of the antagonist, as their actions and attitudes collectively create adversity for the angel. This ambiguity in the antagonist’s identity highlights the complexity of the story’s moral and ethical themes, blurring the lines between good and bad.

In the story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings,” several key characters play significant roles in the narrative. Pelayo, who is the father of their child and Elisenda’s husband, initially stumbles upon the old man when he finds him in their backyard. Elisenda, Pelayo’s wife and the mother of their child, plays a pivotal role in the story. It is Elisenda who devises the unusual idea of charging people to witness the old man and serves as the last person to have a poignant encounter with him before he departs.

In addition to Pelayo and Elisenda, the narrative also introduces other characters, such as the curious villagers, who become intrigued by the enigmatic old man with enormous wings. These villagers are drawn to the spectacle created by the discovery of the old man and Elisenda’s unique business venture, adding layers of complexity to the story’s exploration of human nature and its reactions to the extraordinary.

Titled ‘A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings’ and subtitled ‘A Tale for Children’, this story revolves around a peculiar incident. It begins when an elderly man with exceptionally large wings suddenly crashes into the home of a man whose son is gravely ill. This event quickly captures the attention of the entire town, prompting the townsfolk to gather around the unusual visitor. Among the townspeople, there are varying beliefs about the stranger’s identity, with some convinced that he is a fallen angel from heaven. This mysterious encounter sets the stage for a thought-provoking exploration of faith, humanity, and the inexplicable in the narrative.