13. THE FLY BY KATHERINE MANSFIELD
1. THE THEME OF THE STORY (V.IMP)
Q.No.1: The conquest of time over grief is the theme of the story, “The Fly.” OR What is the theme of the story?
Answer: The story, “The Fly” is a superb stroke by Katherine Mansfield’s pen. It tells us that time is a great healer. No doubt, the death of a dear one shetters one’s mentally, but with the passage of time one conquers one’s grief.
In the story, we come across two characters i.e Woodifield and Boss. Both these persons have lost their sons in the World War. After the death of his son, Woodifield soon forgets the death of his son. During his discussion with Boss, we come to know that Woodifield has not visited the grave of his son. Boss also suffers form the same tragedy. Aftr his son’s death, he does not show any interest in his work. He tells everybody that his life is useless without his son. He cannot live without his son. But with the passage of time he begins to take interest in his work and soon forgets the death of his son. We can say that time heals our wounds. It is truly the story of conquest of time over grief. (Words: 176)
2. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE KILLING OF THE FLY (V.IMP)
Q.No.2: What does the killing of the fly by Boss signify?
Answer: “The Fly” is a symbolic short story. It brings before us a great aspect of our life. It tells that man is just a puppet in the hands of fate. No one can avert his death. Sooner or later, he is to taste death.
We see Boss busy in his working but without any interest. He is in great dejection because his son has been killed in some war. He is lost in his grief when he sees a fly falling into the inkpot. It tries to come out but fails. However, the Boss picks it out with his pen and puts it on the blotting paper. When it is ready to fly, the Boss again throws it into the ink. The Boss throws a drop of ink on its head. It waves its front legs again and again but the Boss drops another drop of water. It dies in the end. At that moment the Boss is disappointed. He forgets all what he has in his mind earlier. The Boss becomes the Fate of the fly. He tries to forget the grief of his son’s death through the killing of the fly. (Words: 193)
The Shadow in the Rose Garden by D.H. Lawrence:
https://englishwithnaeemullahbutt.com/2025/07/20/the-shadow-in-the-rose-garden-dh-lawrence/
Notes on English Literature: http://englishlitnotes.com