"A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" [Symbolism and Meaning]

There is a lot of controversy as to what the meaning of the "Angel" in Gabriel García Márquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous wings." There are ideas the the "Angel" was sent to the family when the son was very ill. Just the way the "Angel" was described, from his wings to his full appearance, gives off a sort of "Religious Symbol" or an act of faith. The "Angel" had torn up wings, but was seen to have suited him. In the Christian tradition, angels are often represented as beautiful winged figures, and García Márquez plays off of this cultural symbolism because, ironically, the wings of the “angel” in the story convey only a sense of age and disease. (Sparknotes-Themes etc.)The way the family and the society treated him, made it seem like he was an animal rather than a miracle. Still a mystery as to why, he so happened to show up, in the time when the family was in need, showing maybe a sign of representing "Prosperity". While the family accumulates large amounts money from the entertainment of the "Angel", they can't see or realize that the Angel helped in a way. Shows the level of stubbornness and blindness the average human being has. Maybe that is what Gabriel is trying to show the reader. That even when the evidence is right in front of them, humans will never comprehend it or see it.




Links
http://www.sparknotes.com/short-stories/a-very-old-man-with-enormous-wings/themes.html
http://www.enotes.com/very-old-man-with-enormous-wings
http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/ncw/marquez.htm