A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Research Paper

Good and Evil Can Co-Exist

Salena Barnes

ENG 130 – Introduction to Literature

Colorado State University – Global Campus

Dr. Audra Spicer

May 29, 2016 I felt an unexpected sense of sadness as I read “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings”. The sadness was surprising as the story began with an act of kindness, as Pelayo helps another life that appears to be in need on a rainy night. The kindness later transitions to fear – fear of the unknown. The fear later results in neglect, cruelty and acts of selfishness. The story supports the theory that good and evil can co-exist and that an evil outcome can result from people acting with good intentions.

In the beginning, although Pelayo was concerned with the sickness of his child, he attempted

With the imprisoned old man, believed to be an angel, Paleyo began to enjoy the rewards from all the attention the man in his chicken coop was receiving. He allowed evil actions to take place. As a man was suffering in a cage, having food thrown at him, being poked and prodded and in pain, the family was collecting money from their visitors. Pelayo veered from helpful to hurtful by the influence of others. He allowed his good-natured heart to take immoral actions and profited from his actions to build a mansion.

Through all of the pain and suffering the old man remained hopeful and mentally strong. Kindness began to resurface from Pelayo when he provided the old man a blanket and allowed him to sleep in the shed. Remaining hopeful, the old man survived several years and began to grow feathers again after a long time without them. As his feathers grew so did his confidence. He knew what he needed to do and he remained hopeful, as he would sing in the night. In the end, goodness won as he kept his determination for freedom. After numerous practice attempts, the old man eventually develops the strength to fly