Gabriel Garca Marquz’s short story is a well-known work of magic realism that makes some pretty bold statements about human nature. Look up magic realism to have a better understanding why Garca Marquz would use this genre.
So far, we’ve covered narration, description, definition, and comparison and contrast as organizational patterns.Write an analysis in a min. 875 words of this short story, using a combination of these patterns to analyze what Garca Marquz is telling us about human nature.
Here are some questions to guide you, if you are stuck:
- Can this story be classified as a fairy tale, myth or an allegory? Which characteristics make you think this?
- Compare/contrast this story with the genres of fairy tale, myth or an allegory.
- In western culture, what are some ways we define angels? Is the old man an angel?
- Look at the variety of descriptions Garcia Marquez uses throughout this very short story. What purpose does such description serve?
Be sure to start with a strong thesis, and support your thesis with specific, quoted examples from the story. Feel free to include any research you have done on magic realism.