summary and analysis of the short story "The Fly" by Katherine Mansfield

The story is set in the office of a man called the Boss, who is visited by an old friend, Woodifield. Woodifield tells the Boss that his son was killed in the war, and that his daughters recently visited his grave in Belgium. This news upsets the Boss, who is still grieving the death of his own son, who was also killed in the war.

After Woodifield leaves, the Boss is left alone in his office. He starts to think about his son, and how much he misses him. He then notices a fly that has fallen into his inkpot. He fishes the fly out and puts it on a piece of blotting paper.

The Boss starts to play with the fly, dropping drops of ink on it. He watches the fly struggle to clean itself off, and he feels a strange sense of admiration for its courage. He keeps dropping ink on the fly, even though he knows it is killing it.

Finally, the fly dies. The Boss throws its body away and then realizes that he has forgotten what he was thinking about before he started playing with the fly. He has forgotten about his son.

The story ends with the Boss sitting at his desk, feeling lost and alone. He has been unable to come to terms with the death of his son, and he is now unable to even remember him.

The story can be interpreted in many different ways. Some people see the fly as a symbol of the Boss's son, and the ink as a symbol of the war. In this interpretation, the story is about the Boss's inability to accept his son's death, and the way in which the war has scarred him.

Others see the fly as a symbol of all life, and the ink as a symbol of death. In this interpretation, the story is about the Boss's fear of death, and the way in which he tries to control it by playing with the fly.

Ultimately, the meaning of the story is up to the reader to decide. However, there is no doubt that it is a powerful and moving story about grief, loss, and the human condition.

Here are some additional thoughts on the story:

•The story is set in the aftermath of the First World War, a time when many people were struggling to come to terms with the loss of loved ones. The Boss's experience is a reminder of the lasting impact that war can have on individuals and families.

•The story also explores the theme of denial. The Boss is unable to accept his son's death, and he tries to avoid thinking about it by playing with the fly. This denial is a coping mechanism, but it is also a barrier to healing.

•The story is ultimately about the power of love. The Boss's love for his son is so strong that it even survives his death. This love gives the Boss hope, even though he is still grieving.