“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Short response questions
1. List the characters in the story. Write one to two sentences
on the defining characteristics of each one, providing at least
one citation (direct quotation) to illustrate (support) your
comments. (15)Pelayo, Elisenda, Angel, Priest, villagers
2. Why do you think the story is called “A Very Old Man with
Enormous Wings” rather than “An Angel”? Provide at least
three citations to support your argument: choose details that
support what you think, not that summarize. (10)
3. How does the priest respond to the man with wings? What
do you think his response symbolizes? Provide at least two
citations to illustrate your argument. (10)
4. How do the villagers respond to the spider girl? What does
their response symbolize—and how does it relate to the rest
of the story? Provide at least two citations to support your
argument. (10 points)