The Fly Essay Questions

What is the dynamic between Mr. Woodifield and the boss at the start of "The Fly," and how does that dynamic evolve throughout the story?

At the beginning of "The Fly," a strong power dynamic exists between Mr. Woodfield and the boss. Mr. Woodifield has recently had a stroke and is compared to a baby, whereas the boss is still a business executive in a position of power. This dynamic is illustrated in Mr. Woodifield's compliments and the boss' pride and satisfaction in his newly renovated office. Yet by the end of the story, the boss' veneer of status and masculinity has fallen away. He is overcome by grief and, unable to process his sorrow, vicious and forgetful.

What do you think "The Fly" represents?

The tragic, unnecessary demise of the fly parallels the huge sacrifice of Britain's population in sending their sons to be killed in World War I. At the same time, the fly's attempts and failure to begin life again seem to represent the boss' struggle to overcome his grief. Finally, the fly might symbolize the inevitability of death; both Mr. Woodifield and the boss are old men, losing their grip on memory, and even Mansfield herself was nearing death at the time of writing.