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A short story is a distinct form of literary art. It deals with one single theme, unity and brevity are essential to the success of a good short story. The plot of the short story is generally simple and its style suits the theme and atmosphere of the piece. It evokes a mood of psychological atmosphere of mind. Katherine Mansfield's short story The Fly has all these qualities to be considered it as a great short story.
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| The Fly |
The short story describes the deeply felt sorrow of a father's heart and makes a deep probe into the psychological workings through the most symbolic fly episode. As a short story it focuses its searchlight on the mind of the central figure, the Boss in the story. Like true short story it clearly provides a deep psychological insight with the portrayal of characters the Boss and Mr. Woodifield.
The fly episode illustrates the scene of total helplessness and sorrow. The wretched fall in an inkpot and after it escapes the Boss intentionally killed it, by dropping strong blows of ink drop on it. This incident shows the helpless situation of the Boss, is deep psychological, mental torment due to the loss of his only son. At the same time The Fly as a short story maintains the neat structure and methodical way of narrations, having deal with it one sight incident. Thus The Fly is a short story is highly remarkable for its psychological study, its character portrayal along with it the symbolic incident the fly episode also enriches it's appeal to the reader.