9TH The Spider and the Fly

The Spider and the Fly Textual Questions

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 to reach the spider’s parlour.
Through a winding stair, you can reach the spider’s parlour.

B. What will the fly get to see in the parlour?
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?
No, the fly is not willing to enter the parlour.

B. Can you guess what was in the pantry?
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.
Handsome, gauzy (wings), brilliant (eyes) are the words the spider used to describe the fly.

B. Why does the spider say that the fly is witty?
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?
Wild animals live in their dens. Spider also has its web as its dwelling place. So the poet uses the word ‘den’.

B. Why was the spider sure that the fly would come back again?
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?
‘She’ refers to the fly.

B. What was she thinking of?
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 never give heed:

A. Who does ‘I’ refer to?
I refer to the poet.

B. What is the advice given to the readers?
Never listen to idle, silly flattering words, “is the advice given to the readers”.

 

B. Complete the summary by filling in the spaces with suitable words.

The poem begins with the spider’s (1) …………………. of the fly. He (2) …………….. to the fly to come into its home. The spider describes his parlor as the (3) …………………. one. The spider kindles the curiosity of the fly so that she may enter his home. Fortunately, the fly was (4) ………………… and refused to get into his home. Now the spider pretends to be a (5) …………………. and asks her to come and rest in his home. He offers her (6) ……………………. and a (7) ………………….. to rest. This time also the fly (8) ………………… the spider’s offer very politely. The next weapon that the spider uses is (9) …………………. The spider praises the (10) ……………….. and (11) …………………. of the fly and also praises her (12) …………………….. He invites her to look at herself in the (13) ………………………. which is in his parlour. The fly is (14) …………….. by the words of the spider and she falls a (15) …………………… to her (16) ………………….
Answers

1. welcoming
2. reaches out
3. prettiest
4. wise/intelligent
5. friend
6. sheets
7. bed
8. declines
9. flattery
10. wings
11. eyes
12. crest
13. looking-glass
14. flattered
15. prey
16. enticement/invitation

C. Answer the following questions in about 80-100 words.

Question 1.
Write a character sketch of the spider.
Answer:
This poem takes us through a spider’s ultimately successful attempts at 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 its best to trap the fly into its parlour with the promises of pretty things to see. Next, it tries a 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 in his den.

Slow Learners Paragraph

• The spider invites the fly to his parlour. 
• It offers his bed, food and mirror. 
• But the fly refuses all. 
• The spider praises the beauty of the fly. 
• Later, the fly gets attracted by the spider's words. 
• It falls a prey to it's enemy, the spider.

 

Appreciate The Poem
Figures of speech

1. Consonance: Repetition of similar consonant sounds in the neighbouring words.
Ex: “T is the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
Pick out one more instance of consonance from the poem.
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly.

2. Assonance: Repetition of similar vowel sounds in the neighbouring words.
Ex: “T is the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
Pick out one more instance of consonance from the poem.
The spider tuned him roundabout and went into his den,
“I’m sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high.”

3. Anaphora: Repetition of a word or a phrase at the beginning of a sequence of sentences, paragraphs and lines.
Ex: How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
Identify the figures of speech.
“Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead! ’’
A simile is the figure of speech.

4. Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Pick out the words in alliteration.
“Sweet creature! ” said the Spider, “you’re witty and you ’re wise,”
Sweet – Spider; and witty – wise are alliterated.