An Instance of Tension in the Story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings - Paper Example

In the story, A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings tension is evident when Pelayo notices a strange and creepy object moving at the rear of his courtyard. The reader is gripped with a tense feeling when the author goes ahead to describe Pelayos observation as a groaning thing with wings and having the appearance of an old man (Garcia 144). The instance of tension as described above results from the fact that, the reader is first of all taken through the description of a peculiar background that seemingly has nothing to offer, all of a suddenly the reader is introduced to a strange creature amid suspense (Garcia 144). As a keen reader, one is likely to grapple on the various possible outcomes at that instance and afterwards. Questions like, will the creature harm Pelayo using its enormous wings?, Will the creature still be present when Pelayo returns with his wife Elisenda?, Could there be more similar creatures waiting to invade the frail courtyard?, run through the readers minds as he or she reads on to find out what happens next.

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Most Essential External Conflict within the Story

The most essential external conflict occurs immediately at the beginning of the story when the alien creature invades the human territory. Apparently, the natives like Pelayo, his wife and others in their community appear to be preoccupied with enough problems like, poor health care, poor housing and a degraded environment, that not only appears to have strained their livelihood, but had also built on their skepticism (Garcia 144). Immediately the creature intrudes the setting, a conflict occurs in which people are seen trying to fight the creature and repel any welcome attempts. The natives for instance go to an extent of burning the creature in an attempt to provoke it and arouse it into action, the conflict is further heightened when the priest, father Gonzaga fails to give a satisfactory response about the nature of the creature and whether it truly recognizes their supreme being (Garcia 147).

The instances of external conflicts described above have the most significant effect on the propulsion of the story. That is mainly because they form the basis on which the rest of the story follows, which be seen in two folds. One, the trail taken by the story after the first moment of external conflict occurs is expected to lead to a resolution, which in that case revolves around determining what happens between the creature and the natives. Two, the rest of the story unfolds as the reader awaits the verdict from the Supreme Pontiff at father Gonzagas request (Garcia 146). The two essential instances of external conflict in the story therefore define the entire story and all that unfolds in the same way suspense does in narratives.

Most Essential Internal Conflict

The most essential internal conflict in the story occurs when Pelayo attempts to determine his next move before helping the creature free its wings from the mud. At first, he appears to be in shock before drawing closer to get a better view, and also after he gets certain that the creature is alien and looks like an angel (Garcia 144). We are told that Pelayo is frightened by his apparent nightmare before rushing inside to get his wife Elisenda. The moment is an instance of internal conflict for Pelayo, which is because his next move appears to be as a result of fear and confusion, compelling him to make fast decisions. This however, does not seem to be an easy thing to do since he moves over to his neighbors house in search of a better insight into the matter. Pelayo also spends the next several hours looking after the creature, maybe monitoring its next move, and in case it made the wrong one, he appears to be prepared since we are told that he is armed with a bailiffs club (Garcia 144).

Coupled with other stylistic devices, the instance of internal conflict described is essential because it helps the author maintain the suspense that urges the reader to read on. A similar case of the propelling effect of suspense is observed on the creatures demeanor, though undefined, it appears to be in a state of internal conflict throughout the story leaving both the reader and characters in suspense.

The Ending of the Story

The story ends with a resolution. This is because much of the suspense that is created at the beginning is resolved before the end of the story. For instance, the possible question among readers from the introduction about what would befall Pelayo and his people from the creatures intrusion is resolved. The story is however not entirely resolved since it ends without any relevant response from the Supreme Pontiff being made, or a clear explanation of the origin and nature of the angelic creature. However, the fact that the creature regains its flight ability and leaves Pelayos courtyard is a source of relief for the reader, and as such, many of the possible questions raised by readers at the storys beginning are solved.

Work Cited

Garcia, Marquez G, and Gregory Rabassa. A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: And the Sea of Lost Time. , 2014. Print.