1. by Katherine Mansfield
“The Fly”
by Katherine Mansfield

2. A “theme” can be defined as a “comment about life” that an author expresses in a story. It is through the theme that most of us can relate to a story.
Every Essay 2 probably will explain
a character or characters
a conflict
a resolution

3. Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way?
The Flies say, In the story “The Fly”, the boss seems very cynical and controlling. When he tortures the fly, it makes him feel better about himself and overcome his own sadness. The boss wants to make the fly die in the most painful way.

4. Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way?
The Mild Ones say, The Boss in this story faces an internal conflict with himself, and he shows on the outside he looks young and healthy. On the inside though he is falling apart due to the loss of his son.

5. Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way?
Team Pup n Suds says, The boss is a man not in mourning, but I feel he is a man finally coming to grips with the fact that his son had passed. The way he reacts when Mr. Woodfield first brings up his son’s grave might leave you to think otherwise. He was at a loss for words when Mr. Woodfield had first brought up his son. When Mr. Woodfield leaves the boss’ office he tells Macey that he is not to see anyone for a half an hour. …

6. Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way?
Team Pup n Suds says, As he begins to look at the picture he’s saddened by the fact that the way his son truly was, wasn’t represented in the photograph. He ponders about how he was grooming his son to lead the company, and how he had been taken from him so early. When the boss sees the fly in the ink, he almost forgets about what he was thinking about. …

7. Choose one character from the story and tell us what you think about that character. What facts from the story cause you to see the character in this way?
Team Pup n Suds says, Almost seemed to be infatuated with if the fly could pick himself back up after having ink dropped on him. After the third time the fly had died, and the boss had forgotten all what he was even sad about.

8. What types of conflict--person versus person, society, self, nature, and God/fate—do you think are in the story, and how are the conflicts shown?
No Fly Zone says, The most apparent conflict in “The Fly” is “person versus self” and the person experiencing this conflict is the boss. This conflict is shown in the quote describing the boss’s thoughts about what had happened six years ago. Additionally, a “person versus fate” conflict is shown by the boss’s inability to come to terms with the fact his son had passed and that he couldn’t have helped.

9. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story?
Lil Uzi Vert says, The “medicine,” also known as whiskey, is a symbol for escape. He can’t naturally accept the fact his son is dead. So he brings a depressant drug into the matter. To help him cope with the undying lust for his sons life.

10. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story?
Heuer Noah says, The fly is symbolic. The fly represents his son and how all of his father’s expectations eventually led to his death. The boss in the story never gives the fly time to recover and pushes him to move forward. This seems to be the case with his son as well because, not only was his son in the military, but he also wanted his son to continue the business he has created. He puts a lot of weight on his son’s shoulders.

11. Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story?
The Koalos say, The fly symbolizes the Boss in a way that the Boss is putting the fly through an obstacle in which he has to find a way to overcome it. Doing so, he’s making the fly suffer the way he has throughout the years without his son.

12. What else could the fly and the ink symbolize?
Identify at least one thing in the story that you think might be symbolic. What might this symbolism contribute to the story?
What else could the fly and the ink symbolize?

13. A final thought . . .
Excellent work!