The Spider and the Fly
Mary Botham Howitt
A. Read the following lines from the poem and answer the questions in a sentence or two:
1. “The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I’ve many curious things to show when you are there”
a) How can the fly reach the spider’s parlour?
Ans: The spider’s parlour can be reached through a winding stair.
b) What will the fly get to see in the parlour?
Ans: The fly will get to see many curious things in the parlour.
2. “Oh no, no,” said the little Fly, “kind Sir, that cannot be,
I’ve heard what’s in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!”
a) Is the fly willing to enter the spider’s pantry?
Ans: No, the fly is not willing to enter the spider,s pantry.
b) Can you guess what was in the pantry?
Ans: Only remains of dead flies may be found in the pantry.
3. “Sweet creature!” said the Spider, “You’re witty and you’re wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!”
a) List the words used by the spider to describe the fly?
Ans: Sweet, witty, wise, handsome, gauzy, brilliant.
b) Why does the spider say that the fly is witty?
Ans: The spider calls the fly witty because the fly is clever to avoid entering the web.
4. The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
a) Why is the poet using the word ‘den’ to describe the spider’s web?
Ans: The spider is like a lion in its web. So the poet uses the word.
b) Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?
Ans: The spider has flattered the fly of its beauty, so he was sure it would come back again.
5. With buzzy wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue-
a) Who does ‘she’ refer to?
Ans: She refers to the fly.
b) What was ‘she’ thinking of?
Ans: She was thinking of her beautiful eyes and the colours of her wings.
6. And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne’er give heed:
a) Who does ‘I’ refer to?
Ans: I refers to the poet.
b) What is the advice given to the readers?
Ans: The poet advises us not to fall prey to flattery and sweet words.
B. Complete the summary by filling in the spaces with suitable words:
Ans: The poem begins with the spider’s pursuit of the fly. He chats to the fly to come into its home. The spider describes his parlour as the prettiest one. The spider kindles the curiosity of the fly so that she may enter his home. Fortunately, the fly was witty and refused to get into his home. Now the spider pretends to be a host and asks her to come and rest in his home. He offers her food and a bed to rest. This time also the fly declines the spider’s offer very politely. The next weapon that the spider uses is flattery. The spider praises the wings and eyes of the fly and also praises her wisdom. He invites her to to look at herself in the mirror which is in his parlour. The fly is tempted by the words of the spider and she falls prey to his flattery.
C. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words:
1. Write a character sketch of the spider?
Ans: This poem takes us through a spider’s ultimately successful attempts in enticing a fly into its web. The spider is cunning in capturing its victim. It ensnares the fly through the use of seduction and flattery. In stanza one, it does best to trap the fly into its parlour with the promises of pretty things to see. Next, it tries different tactics, offering the fly a pretty and a comfortable place to sleep, and lovely food. Finally, it tries to flatter the fly by praising its beauty and traps the fly into his den.
2. What happens if we fall a prey to flattery? Give instance from the poem ‘The Spider and the Fly’.
Ans: If we fall a prey to flattery, we have to face evil consequences, just like the fly who falls a prey to the spider’s flattery and seduction. The spider uses different tactics to entice the fly into its web. It invites the fly into its parlour with the promises of pretty things to see. When the fly refuses, it entices him by offering a pretty, comfortable bed and lovely food. When the fly gets flattered and gets trapped into its den. This poem teaches us that we should be cautious against those who use flattery and charm to disguise their true intentions.
3. In your own words, give a detailed description of:
a) The spider’s Parlour:
Ans: The spider’s Parlour had winding stairs. It is the prettiest parlour that had ever been seen by the fly. It had been filled with many pretty things, which would arouse the curiosity of the fly. There are also pretty curtains, whose sheets are fine and thin. It had a pretty and a comfortable bed.
b) The Fly’s Appearance:
Ans: The fly had gauzy wings and brilliant eyes. But the spider flattered it saying that it had pearl and silver wings, green and purple body and its antenna is like a crown on him.
To watch this poem explanation video with Tamil meaning: CLICK HERE
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| SamacheerKalvi 9th English The Spider and the Fly Unit 4 Poem Book back question and answers |
