“The Fly” Having read many pieces of literature through short stories, it is evident that each story has its own unique use of symbolism. Diverse characters in each work of literature are used to demonstrate these forms of symbolism. The boss and his inner conflict illustrate a great deal of symbolism in “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield. The boss’s perception of the actions of the fly creates an interesting view of the comparison of his father-son, father-fly relationship. Katherine Mansfield, a famous realist, who uses concrete images, appeals to many readers because she incorporates her life into the stories she writes. Much attention is paid to the central character, the boss and his life (Schoenberg). It is interesting
He points out the new carpet, new furniture, and new electric heating. The boss ignores the ‘old’ photograph of a grave-looking boy in uniform, his son. Mr. Woodifield relates to his wife and daughters, the boss only to “things”. Both men lost their sons in World War I so they share the inner pain of such a terrible loss. Mr. Woodifield tells the boss about his wife and children visiting the grave where both their sons are buried. He explains how beautiful and well cared for the grave was with broad paths and flowers growing on all the plots. Although these are all good things about the grave, Mr. Woodifield triggers the boss’s inner conflict. Talking about the boss’s son and his grave brings the reality of the son’s death to the boss. For six years the boss has been denial about his son’s death and this can be seen by him not visiting the grave in Belgium. When Mr. Woodifield leaves, the boss tells Macey “no calls” (Mansfield, 507). He goes to his desk intending as he always has to weep for his loss, and perplexed when the sorrow doesn’t come. Suddenly, the boss becomes away of the fly in the ink. He admires the fly’s strength, struggle, and power as it fights to live. The boss is cruel and kills the innocent fly. Perhaps, the way his innocent son was killed in the war. For me the end was very interesting. I believe the boss returned to denying his son’s death as flinging the fly into the trash was a sign of