Bring out the importance of the character of woodifield in the fly
Answers
Answer:
The Old Triumvirate: Ketherine Mansfield has presented three old men in her story, “The Fly” – the old Boss, Old Woodifield and Old Macey. The Boss is the Central character in the story; Old Woodifield, an old and infirm man, who is only allowed to leave his house on Tuesdays and who lives with his wife and daughter, is a minor figure, but he is of much importance in the story. He fulfills some important function in the story. Farther his story displays sensitivity to emotion by giving attention to the inner conflicts of his character.
Woodifield: His Helplessness and Despair, a post-war Depression in “The Fly”: Katherine Mansfield has given a picture of post-war depression in Europe. After the First World War one might come across many unhappy old men like Woodifield in England. The Fly is a critique of such an war and patriarchy, as well as a metaphysical exploration of humans' place in the world. It is further one of the starkest expressions of post-World War I existential helplessness and despair. Woodifield’s son Reggie died in the battlefield. Woodifield had a stroke. After his retirement he becomes absolutely helpless and depressed. His wife and daughter kept him confined in the house every day of the week except Tuesday. On a Tuesday he paid a visit to the Boss. During his conversation with the Boss Woodsfield appeared as a pathetic figure. He did not remember what he wanted to tell the Boss. The Boss took pity on him and offered him a few drops of whisky to revive his account of the visit of his daughters to Belgium. The girls saw the grave of Reggie during their visit. They saw the grave of the Boss’s son in the same graveyard. As Woodifield narrated the story of his daughters’ recent visit to Belgium, he indulges in incoherent and irrelevant talk.
Explanation: