Student Question
In "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," why does Elisenda sigh in relief for herself and him?
Quick answer:
Elisenda sighs in relief because the old man, initially a source of income, becomes a nuisance once his novelty fades. With the arrival of the spider woman, he loses his appeal, and his constant presence irritates Elisenda. His departure frees her from this annoyance and brings relief for him as well, as he might return home and escape the threat of dying in her care. Thus, he becomes "an imaginary dot on the horizon of the sea."
At first having the old man around was a boon to Elisenda and her husband. They had become very rich from selling tickets for people to see the "angel." As the weeks go on, however, the old man becomes a nuisance to her. He is no longer a curiosity, and everybody in town who wanted to see him has already done so. There is a new show in town--the spider woman. Besides the loss of money, the old man seems to be following her and to be constantly in her way. When he finally flies away, Elisenda is relieved for both of them--for herself because she'll no longer have this annoyance; for him because they were worried that he might die and because maybe she feels some sympathy for the poor old man who might now return to his home.
The answer to your question is given in the last sentence: "he was no longer an annoyance in her life but an imaginary dot on the horizon of the sea."
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