Chapter 5 – The Fly Solutions

Content Structure

  • 1. About the author – Katherine Mansfield
  • 2. Summary of The Garden Party
  • 3. Word meanings

1. About the author – Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield Beauchamp was a famous New Zealand-English writer and critic, born on 14 October 1888 in Thorndon. She was an important figure in the modernist movement and is widely considered one of the best writers of her time. Her renowned works have been published in twenty-five languages. Mansfield wrote short stories and poetry under a variation of her name, Katherine Mansfield, exploring themes such as anxiety, sexuality, Christianity, and existentialism, along with a developing sense of New Zealand identity. She was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in 1917 and died in France on 9 January 1923 at only the age of 34.

2. Summary


Katherine Mansfield’s The Fly tells the story of a boss and how a small encounter with a fly affects him. The story has three parts. In the first part, Mr. Woodifield meets the boss and tells him that his daughters have accidentally found the grave of the boss’s son, Reggie, which he had almost forgotten. This news upsets the boss. In the second part, the boss remembers his son, who died six years ago. He thinks about how he wanted his son to take over the business, but his early death destroyed all his hopes. Feeling deep sadness, the boss cries to relieve his pain. In the third part, the boss experiments with a fly. He drops it into an inkpot and watches it struggle to get out. When the fly dies, the boss realizes that no matter how hard one fights, death cannot be avoided. This leaves him feeling scared and disturbed, and the story ends sadly.

The Fly Extra Questions and Answers

WB 11 all notes

3. Word Meanings

WordMeaning
1.PramA small vehicle used to carry a baby 
2.PipedSpoke in a high voice
3.FlippedHit or moved something quickly and lightly. 
4.SolidStrong
5.TreacleSweet syrup 
6.TiltedSloped 
7.ExultantlyJoyfully 
8.StaringLooking hard 
9.RosyPink 
10.WistfullySadly 
11.AdmiringlyShowing respect or approval
12.Midst The center part of something
13.Sausages Meat rolls 
14.Grave-looking Serious 
15.Windor castleA famous castle and royal home in England 
16.Patches Small pieces 
17.WonderinglyCuriously 
18.Groaned Made a low sound of pain or sadness 
19.Cocked Turned or lifted slightly 
20.Faintly Weakly 
21.Sacrilege Disrespect 
22.Admiration Respect 
23.Plunged Fell or jumped suddenly into something 
24.Scythe Cutting tool 
25.Slaved Worked hard 
26.Marvellously Wonderfully 
27.Stern Strict 
28.Grinding Crushing 
29.Seized Grabbed 
30.Wretchedness Misery 

Related Links

WB 11 all notes