These two short stories The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World and A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Marquez deal with the arrival of unusual and rather strange visitors.

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Essay #1 - IB Chronicles

These two short stories "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel Marquez deal with the arrival of unusual and rather strange visitors. One story deals with the arrival of a rather handsome, impressive dead man, while the other story deals with the arrival of a sickly, rather raggedy looking old man with wings, respectively. The subsequent, yet differing reactions of the people in both stories demonstrates a similar view of the human condition, although depicted differently by Marquez in these short stories. In "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" and "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings", Marquez uses characterization and setting to convey his theme that one's reactions towards strangers can have a profound effect on, and can shape one's life.

Both stories satirically examine the human response to those who are weak, withering, and different (or, in the case of Esteban, dead). Marquez effectively uses characterization to portray the people in both stories who take in strangers, and the differing way they treat their respective stranger. From the beginning, the people in the "Handsomest Man" realize that the