refers to people of about the same age: grandparents, parents and children are all different generations

smug, self-satisfied, uncritical of yourself

expressing disapproval or disappointment with someone or something

Debating different interpretations of Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’

English

In 'A World at War: Short Stories', pupils explore the reasons for writing war literature and how it seeks to convey the suffering of soldiers and civilians, in times of conflict. In 'Power and Conflict Poetry', students explore the many types of conflict that arise through war, with themes including patriotism, propaganda, fear, guilt and duty.

In 'The Tempest', pupils are encouraged to write from the viewpoint of Caliban and Ariel, adopting character voices in creative writing. In 'A World at War', pupils emulate the writing styles of the authors that they encounter, to create an authentic voice in their writing. 

Literary perspectives from the First World War

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as {{ }}, that is, empty, and having no thoughtfulness or intelligence.

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as {{ }}, that is, smug and self-satisfied.

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as {{ }}, that is, childish.

“New carpet,” […] “New furniture,” […] “Electric heating!”

“Poor old chap, he’s on his last pins, thought the boss.”

“The boss turned the bottle and lovingly showed him the label.”

““I’ll see nobody for half an hour, Macey,” said the boss.”

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as materialistic. Which quotations best prove this?

“On Tuesday he was dressed and brushed and allowed to cut back to the City”

““Y'are very snug in here,” piped old Mr. Woodifield”

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as infantile. Which quotation best proves this?

““Quite right, quite right!” cried the boss”

“only a quiver in his [the boss's] eyelids showed that he heard”

“It gave him [boss] a feeling of deep, solid satisfaction to be planted there”

Arguably, at points in Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, the older generation are presented as complacent. Which quotations best prove this?

Katherine Mansfield’s brother is killed in a military accident

Match these dates, all important to ‘The Fly’, to their event. 

They are remembered for their poetry about the realities of trench warfare.

They both used World War One as stimulus for their writing.

They were both significant British figures in the early 20th century.

They are best remembered for their poetry.

Katherine Mansfield and Wilfred Owen are both important writers to the unit World at war: short stories. What is true of both writers? 

Mr. Woodifield admires the boss’s office.

We find out Mr. Woodifield is quite frail.

The boss enjoys showing off his office to Mr. Woodifield.

Mr. Woodifield enjoys the whiskey that the boss gives him.

Mr. Woodifield mentions his family were in Belgium.

Mr. Woodifield says his family saw the boss’s son’s grave.

Mr. Woodifield leaves, unaware he has upset the boss.

Starting with the first, put these plot points relating to Mr. Woodifield from Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’ in chronological order.

In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, what is Mr. Woodifield compared to at the start of the story?

In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, how is the boss described at the start of the story?

His son has only just died – there hasn’t been time.

He didn’t know where his son was buried – Woodifield tells him.

In Katherine Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’, why hasn’t the boss visited Belgium to see his son’s grave?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision required

Starter Quiz