This short story was an interesting mix of fantasy and religion, while also addressing ideas about what constitutes a person as an "other" and and outcast. I thought that the author made is clear that religious people rejected this angel and that normal people, with normal issues found hope in the pitiful man. I think the implication is that when people have hardships in their lives, they turn to whatever crazy things come their way, because they are so desperate. On a completely different note, the sad angel/man is seen as an outcast by society. The attributes that set him apart and make him an "other", are his physical appearance and the fact that he cannot communicate with people. The language barrier between himself and the people puts him at a huge disadvantage. WIthout communication, he cannot speak his truths and people cannot speak to him. Márquez really emphasizes this idea when the spider lady is brought into the story. Because she can share her riveting tale with lessons and morals, she is viewed as more interesting and therefore the attention is brought away from the sad angel man. The one time, however, that we see people understanding the angel, is when they pour hot iron on him and he cries.
Questions I have about this story:
(a). Why would religious people reject an angel, a messenger of God?
(b). In this society, what makes someone an outcast or an "other"? How does that change/shift by the end of the story?
(c). What good came from keeping him even after he was no longer an attraction? Why didn't they let him be free?
-s.sacks
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