20-minute plan
- Read the story’s opening and closing 2 pages to refresh core details
- List 2 ways the old man is treated differently at the start and. the end of the story
- Draft one discussion question that connects those changes to a broader theme
Keyword Guide · study-guide-general
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: Study Guide & Analysis
This guide breaks down the core elements of the magical realist story for class discussion, quizzes, and essays. It aligns with common study resource framing to match your existing notes. Start with the quick answer to lock in foundational ideas.
The story uses a seemingly supernatural figure to explore human cruelty, curiosity, and the gap between expectation and reality. The old man’s wings are a central symbol that shifts meaning based on how characters interact with him. Jot down 3 specific character reactions to the man to build your first analysis point.
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Answer Block
Analysis of this story focuses on how magical realism blurs the line between the ordinary and extraordinary to critique human behavior. It examines symbolic elements, character motivations, and the story’s quiet commentary on faith and spectacle. No single reading is definitive—your analysis hinges on which story details you prioritize.
Next step: Pick one character’s interaction with the old man and write a 1-sentence claim about what it reveals about human nature.
Key Takeaways
- The old man’s wings function as a mirror for the flaws and biases of the community around him
- Magical realism lets the story critique human behavior without explicit moralizing
- Curiosity quickly shifts to exploitation when the community tires of the old man
- The story’s open ending invites multiple interpretive angles for essays and discussion
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Map 3 key symbols in the story and note which character interacts with each
- Write a 3-sentence thesis that links one symbol to a critique of human behavior
- Outline 2 body paragraphs with specific story details to support your thesis
- Practice explaining your thesis out loud in 60 seconds or less for class discussion
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Review your class notes and any study resources you’ve used to list core plot beats and character motivations
Output: A 1-page bullet list of key events and character actions
Action: Highlight 2-3 symbols and track how their meaning changes across the story’s timeline
Output: A 2-column chart with symbol names and corresponding character reactions/meanings
Action: Use your symbol chart to draft 2 competing thesis statements for an essay
Output: A 1-page document with 2 clear, arguable claims about the story’s core message
Discussion Kit
- What initial assumptions do community members make about the old man, and how do those assumptions change?
- How does the story’s setting influence how the old man is treated by the townspeople?
- Why do you think the old man never speaks or uses his wings in the way the community expects?
- Compare the community’s reaction to the old man with their reaction to the spider-woman character
- What does the story’s open ending suggest about the possibility of human growth?
- How would the story’s meaning change if the old man was presented as clearly angelic or demonic?
- Which character in the story shows the most complex relationship with the old man, and why?
- How does magical realism let the story critique religious faith without direct argument?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In the story, the old man’s wings expose the community’s tendency to exploit the unknown, as seen through their shifting attitudes of curiosity, fear, and indifference.
- The contrast between the old man and the spider-woman reveals how human audiences prioritize spectacle over empathy, driving the story’s quiet critique of collective behavior.
Outline Skeletons
- I. Intro: Hook about human reaction to the unknown; thesis linking wings to community exploitation. II. Body 1: Analyze initial community curiosity and assumptions. III. Body 2: Examine shift to exploitation and indifference. IV. Conclusion: Tie analysis to the story’s commentary on moral decay.
- I. Intro: Hook about magical realism’s power; thesis about spectacle and. empathy. II. Body 1: Analyze community reaction to the old man. III. Body 2: Analyze community reaction to the spider-woman. IV. Conclusion: Explain how the contrast reinforces the story’s core message.
Sentence Starters
- When the old man first appears, the community’s immediate reaction reveals that they
- The spider-woman’s arrival shifts the story’s focus by showing that the community values
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can identify 3 key symbols in the story and explain their meaning
- I can describe how the community’s treatment of the old man changes over time
- I can define magical realism and explain how it applies to this story
- I can draft a clear thesis statement for an analytical essay
- I can list 2 specific story details to support a claim about human behavior
- I can explain the story’s critique of curiosity and exploitation
- I can compare the old man’s portrayal to another character in the story
- I can discuss the story’s open ending and its interpretive possibilities
- I can connect the story’s events to real-world examples of exploitation
- I can practice explaining my analysis in a clear, concise way
Common Mistakes
- Assuming the old man is definitively an angel without supporting evidence from the story
- Focusing only on plot summary alongside analyzing how details reveal theme
- Ignoring the spider-woman’s role in highlighting the community’s flaws
- Using vague claims alongside specific story details to support analysis
- Treating the story’s magical realism as just a fantasy element alongside a critical tool
Self-Test
- Name one way the community exploits the old man, and explain what it reveals about their values
- How does the old man’s physical condition change over the course of the story, and what does this reflect?
- Define magical realism in 1 sentence, and give one example from the story
How-To Block
Action: Re-read the story and mark 3 specific moments where characters interact with the old man or his wings
Output: A list of 3 story moments with page numbers (if available) for easy reference
Action: Ask: What do these 3 moments have in common? Write a 1-sentence claim that answers this question
Output: A clear, arguable claim about the story’s commentary on human behavior
Action: Add 1-2 sentences that explain how each story moment supports your claim
Output: A 3-4 sentence analysis snippet ready for class discussion or essay drafts
Rubric Block
Symbolic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Clear connection between a story symbol and a broader theme or critique
How to meet it: Cite specific character interactions with the symbol and explain how they reveal meaning, rather than just listing symbols
Character Motivation
Teacher looks for: Understanding of why characters act the way they do, not just what they do
How to meet it: Link character actions to the story’s setting or thematic context, rather than describing plot events in isolation
Thesis Development
Teacher looks for: An arguable, focused claim that guides the entire analysis
How to meet it: Avoid vague statements like 'the story is about human cruelty'—instead, specify which aspect of cruelty the story critiques and how it does so
Understanding Magical Realism in the Story
Magical realism blends ordinary, everyday life with a single supernatural element that is treated as mundane by the story’s characters. This device lets the story critique human behavior without heavy-handed moralizing. Use this before class to explain how the old man’s presence fits into the magical realist tradition.
Key Symbol: The Old Man’s Wings
The wings have no fixed meaning—they shift based on who is observing them. Some characters see them as a sign of divinity, others as a curiosity to exploit, and others as a burden. Pick one character’s perspective and write a 2-sentence analysis of what the wings mean to them.
Community Behavior as a Core Theme
The story tracks how the community’s attitude toward the old man evolves from intense curiosity to boredom and neglect. This shift reveals patterns of human behavior that extend beyond the story’s small town. List 1 real-world example that mirrors this pattern of shifting interest and exploitation.
Open Ending: Multiple Interpretations
The story ends without resolving the old man’s true identity or fate. This open structure invites readers to bring their own assumptions and experiences to the text. Write 2 possible interpretations of the ending and explain what each reveals about human nature.
Essay Writing Tips
When writing an essay, focus on 1-2 specific elements (symbols, character dynamics, theme) alongside trying to cover everything. Use concrete story details to support every claim you make. Use this before essay drafts to narrow your topic and strengthen your thesis.
Class Discussion Prep
Come to class with 1 specific question about the story that doesn’t have a clear yes/no answer. Prepare 1 story detail to support your interpretation of the question. Practice explaining your question and detail out loud in 30 seconds or less.
Is the old man actually an angel?
The story never confirms the old man’s identity. Your analysis should focus on how characters interpret him, not on proving whether he is an angel or not.
What is the main message of the story?
The story’s main message depends on which details you prioritize, but common readings critique human exploitation, the nature of faith, and the tendency to prioritize spectacle over empathy.
How does magical realism work in this story?
Magical realism is used by placing a supernatural figure (the old man with wings) in an ordinary, small-town setting, and having characters treat him as a mundane curiosity rather than a miraculous event.
Why does the community lose interest in the old man?
The community’s interest fades when the old man stops being a novelty and fails to meet their expectations of what a supernatural figure should be.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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