(POEMS) Chapter-9 The Spider And The Fly (Important Questions)

Question - 1

  Briefly mention the ways in which the spider tries to entice the fly in Mary Howitt's poem "The Spider and the Fly".

 Answer :-   In Mary Howitt's poem "The Spider And The Fly" the spider invites the fly to come into his parlour and tries to convince her by saying that it is not only the prettiest parlour but it is filled with "many pretty things". The fly replies that it's no good inviting her because she knows full well that anybody who goes in, never comes out.

                    The spider tries to lure the fly enticingly by saying that she may come in his chamber and take rest on his comfortable little bed. The fly's reply is that those who sleep on his bed never wake again. The spider now takes flattery. He calls the fly his friend and tries to assure the fly that he feels a warm affection for her. He tries to tempt her with the offer of nice food from his pantry whereupon she blatantly refuses. The spider then begins flattering the fly by calling her sweet, witty and wise. He goes to the extent of extolling and admiring her beautiful wings and brilliant eyes. He tells her obsequiously to look upon her in his mirror. The naive, innocent and gullible fly feels flattered. She thanks him for appreciating her and says she will call on him another day.

     
Question -2 

  What makes the fly lose its ground and end being trapped in the spider's net?

   Answer :-   In his beast fable "The Spider and the fly", the poet shows how the innocent and gullible can be won over by the wily and wicked predators abound in society.
             
                       In this poem the poor fly was carried away by the flattering words of the cunning spider. The repeated flattery of the spider made her unaware of the impending danger coming into her life. She was far away from the world of reality and falls heading into the illusory world of fantasy. While she was engrossed in thinking of her crested head, her brilliant eyes , her green and purple hue the spider was biding his time to drag her up into his "dismal den". The innocent fly seemed to be drawn to the trap quite unwittingly - the trap as set by the spider. The fly - "a poor foolish thing" became a victim of flattery at the cost of her life.