“The Fly” is set in the boss’ small office which is newly furnished. The only time referred to was the fact that it had been about six years since the death of the boss’ only son. Within the context of this story, the setting of the story is not important, however the time frame is. It is significant that it has been six years since the death of the boss’ son because it portrays how long the boss has been grieving for. The boss is persistent in the idea that no amount of time will take away from his grieving, “Time, he had declared then, he had told everybody, could make no difference.” However, at the end of the short story the boss begins to heal. Narration- Is it being told in the third person? Is this narrator omniscient (all knowing and seeing) or limited to the thoughts of one character?The narrator in this short story is omniscient. The narrator tells the reader of the actions the characters display and also the background of each character. The narrator tells the reader thoughts of both the boss and of Mr. Woodifield throughout the story. In this manner, the reader thoroughly learns the terms of the story and the events through different points of view. At the beginning of the short story the narrator begins by telling Woodifield’s stroke and the limitations set following the stroke. Later, the narrator turns to the past of the boss. Imagery and Metaphor- An image is anything that appeals to a reader’s imagination through one or more of the senses. Some images are auditory, some visual, some olfactory (smell); how do recurring images enhance certain elements of the story? Katherine Mansfield uses imagery in specific parts of the short story “The Fly”. First, imagery is used in the presentation of the setting in which the short story will be told. After which, imagery is used in the struggling efforts of the fly, “the draggled fly lay in it and did not stir. The back legs were stuck to the body; the front legs were not to be seen.” Imagery is used in this event of the short story to emphasize the battle of emotions in the boss, and how hard the feelings force themselves upon such a weak person.Language and Style- Does the author use long complex sentences, short simple sentences, sentence fragments? How do these stylistic choices contribute to the overall meaning of the story?Katherine Mansfield, the author of “The Fly” begins the short story with short simple sentences, and as the story progresses creates longer, more complex sentences. The less confrontation in the story, the more complex the sentences become, as they are explaining both the thoughts and reason behind the characters actions and therefore require greater detail. Mansfield’s simple writing, turning into complex sentences, shows how complicated life can get when influenced by such a tragic event, as losing a son. Contextual Issues- What does the story tell us about our own society/culture? By reading this short story, the reader is allowed the ability to see how much the human population holds onto wicked events, and how holding onto such events can destroy one’s life. Through letting go of problems and not forcing feelings that are expected by society, “Something seemed to be wrong with him.”, he wasn’t feeling as he wanted to feel.” the person is able to be freed from the chains of the past and able to produce a new future. Theme- Keeping all of the above in mind, what is the intention of this story—what is its main idea? What is it trying to tell us?