Teachers, looking for a short story to teach symbolism? “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield (author of “A Dill Pickle”) may work nicely in your lessons. The story is also historical fiction – set after World War 1 in England – and would complement an historical unit on war. Mansfield’s word choices, details, and narrow point of view all play to the theme of the story. What readers first may believe to be the focus, turns out not to be the focus, and yet completes the story. Two men, one a retired employee and the other his boss, two families, two sons lost in the war, and a fly drowning in ink. And yet it all works. A story for older students who are skilled at close reading, “The Fly” may be a perfect short story to add to your lesson plans.
