High School

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,
"’Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
And I have many curious things to show when you are there."

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair can ne’er come down again."

"I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
And if you like to rest a while, I’ll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "for I’ve often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do
To prove the warm affection I’ve always felt for you?
I have, within my pantry, good store of all that’s nice;
I’m sure you’re very welcome—will you please to take a slice?"

"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!"

"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you’re witty and you’re wise;
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
If you’ll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you’re pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon be back again;
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing:
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple, there’s a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by:
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew—
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;
Thinking only of her crested head—poor foolish thing!
At last, up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
Within his little parlor—but she ne’er came out again!

The poet organizes the poem as she does in order to —

A) explain how a spider traps a fly
B) tell a story about a spider and a fly
C) show how the home of a spider is different than a fly’s home
D) highlight the reasons a fly is taken in by flattery

Answer :

Final Answer:

The poet uses a narrative format to depict the interaction, emphasizing the consequences of the fly's gullibility and creating a cautionary tale.Therefore the correct option is B) Tell a story about a spider and a fly.

Explanation:

The poet organizes the poem in a narrative format to convey a story about the interaction between a spider and a fly. The verses depict a conversation between the two characters, with the spider using cunning and flattery to lure the unsuspecting fly into its trap. The narrative structure allows the poet to unfold the sequence of events, creating suspense and emphasizing the consequences of the fly's gullibility.

The poem's organization serves the purpose of storytelling, employing vivid imagery and dialogues to engage the reader's imagination. Each stanza contributes to the development of the plot, revealing the spider's deceptive tactics and the fly's gradual enticement. The use of dialogue and descriptive details enhances the narrative's impact, creating a cautionary tale about the dangers of being deceived by charm and false promises.

By choosing a narrative structure, the poet effectively communicates the themes of deception, flattery, and the consequences of naivety. The unfolding story captures the reader's attention and delivers a moral message about being wary of superficial allurements. Overall, the organization of the poem as a narrative serves to convey a compelling and cautionary tale. Therefore the correct option is B) Tell a story about a spider and a fly.

Learn more about cautionary tale

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