Literary Analysis Essay of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’
Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’ is a short story that examines the experiences of families in the aftermath of World War I. After being presented in The Nation & Atheneum in 1922, the piece is described by critics as a dark story due to numerous symbolisms that highlight death and man’s unwillingness to accept the truth surrounding the event. Bringing themes related to death and time alongside the use of symbolisms, this story by Mansfield enables readers to appreciate the piece and uncover the social criticism that the author is trying to portray.
Looking closely at the story, the theme that stands out is death. Specifically, characters such as Mr. Woodfield and the boss have their own respective ways of trying to cope with the loss of their sons during World War I. Like many families who lost their sons during the war, the continued inclination of fathers in the story highlight their continued resistance to accept the fate of their sons, and to some extent unwilling to visit their graves in Belgium (Mansfield 1). Likewise, death also brings forward numerous ways for characters to cope with such reality. Though Mr. Woodfield has a different way of coping, he and the boss continue to depict an individual who has lost direction in their life.
Time is also another important component that enables the progression and development of characters. Since the setting happened six years after the war, the impact to both Mr. Woodfield and the boss are not that intense as what happened in the previous years. Though Mansfield does not elaborate on this part, it is evident in the way Mr. Woodfield and the boss respond to the situations of the past. Though both still remain hesitant to visit the graves of their sons in Belgium, each one was able to show signs of coping, though memories of the past continue to be manifested, especially on the case of the boss.
This story of Mansfield is also credited for the use of multiple symbolisms. There is of course, the fly. Analyzing the piece, the insect arguably represents the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of political goals and objectives. It is through the fly and how the boss tortured it until death illustrates the fate of soldiers who blindly followed orders only to be innocently slaughtered by competing parties. All these present the brutality and the malignant forces that continue to influence the outcome of many (Jansson 1). This ability to showcase control among a few individuals or group is one way that the author advances criticism on the necessity for violence and conflict.
Mansfield depiction of ‘the boss’ is also another symbolism that helps describe her allegorical piece. Arguably, the lack of identity by this individual allow readers to understand that his character represents many, who continue to exercise control and tries to toy with the life of individuals under him. Though he was depicted early as good by Mansfield, readers slowly uncover his true self and emphasize his masochistic behavior with his torture of the fly (Burke 65). Also, this anonymity of the boss’ character emphasizes that the level of control can be seen to many. It gives impression that many continue to be influenced by their own self-vested interests and heartlessness. This in turn led further to the demise of the boss as he lost one of the things he holds value.
In the end, Katherine Mansfield piece ‘The Fly; can be considered an allegorical piece due to its ability to portray hidden symbolisms and meaning in the piece. The use of straightforward storytelling enabled the author to advance her symbolisms and themes to readers. Like many of Mansfield’s work, the story is written from the vantage point of an observer and offers readers the use of realism wherein it emphasized the setting during post-World War I to further emphasize the story as well as character development.
Works Cited
Burke, Daniel. ‘Mansfield’s “The Fly” and the Vulnerable Boss’ Beyond Interpretation: Studies in the Modern Short Story, 1991. Web. Accessed 18 August 2014.
Jansson, Kai. The Use of Symbolisms in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’ n.d. Web. Accessed 18 August 2014.
Mansfield, Katherine. The Fly. n.d. Web. Accessed 18 August 2014.