Pritchett's Short Story Fly in the Ointment

A more youthful man sees his bankrupt dad, who is depressed following the collapse of his company. The kid is a disappointment to the dad due to his option of career. The daddy seems strong till, during their conversation, a fly goes into the space, with the dad overreacting in an attempt to eliminate this basic fly. This overreaction is perceived as weak point by the boy, and driven by pity, he provides his father some cash. Right away the passion and vigor returns to his father, and the wise, shrewd businessman reemerges and brutally requires to understand why he had actually not been used this money faster.

What does the title indicate? To start with we ought to have a look at the title because it could supply some insight into why particular aspects of this story exist. ‘A fly in the ointment’ is a proverb or saying that basically suggests that something spoils a situation that could have been enjoyable.

This quote is the very first sign that shows the reader that the old guy is concerned with money. The author utilizes 2 statements to show the demise of business, firstly ‘… constructing a company out of absolutely nothing, and then, after a couple of years of success, letting it go to pieces in chafer of rumour, idleness, quarrels, allegations and, at last, bankruptcy.

‘ The kids concerns whether ‘they were telling the truth when they said the old guy was a criminal and that his balance sheets were cooked?’ and after that second of all, later in the story the narrator shows the boy’s ideas when he believes the daddy will tell him the humiliating truth which he currently learns about, that of ‘individuals you’ve defrauded’. These reveal the daddy in a bad light, a cheating businessman that fixed his sheets for recognition and was interested in cash and the class of males it put him with.

The father’s concern with social status is shown when he the author states ‘A small man himself, he was proud to be bankrupt with the big ones; it made him feel rich. ‘ This also foreshadows that despite the old man’s statements about having no need for money, he is still truly concerned about it, since he has a desire to feel rich. The use of foreshadowing and its role together with humor and irony There are many instances of foreshadowing, a few that have been mentioned above.

One that is apparent is the use of ‘his father had two faces. ‘ which shows the contrasting emotions the old man can show and his ability, like a businessman to show the face that will suite his end needs.

This piece of foreshadowing should show the reader the truth behind the father but instead the reader is made to believe the old man, that he no longer has need of money. In the old man’s speech to his son on the irrelevance for money he states, ‘If you came in now and offered me a thousand pounds I should laugh at you. ‘ this shows the reader that the father has outgrown his cruel, greedy ways.

The irony emerges when the son does in fact merely mention raising cash when the father, instead of refusing it, brutally demands why it had not been forthcoming. This complete ‘change of face’ (intended pun) is ironic since it goes against what the reader expects. It is almost humorous in the emergence that the father has not changed, and the reader will see the amusing side behind the fly. An actual fly foreshadows the proverb, that pleasantry will be spoiled, by the fathers demands of cash after his apparent no longer need for fiscal bounds.