The Fly, William Blake: Summary & Analysis

In "The Fly" by William Blake, the poet presents a contemplation on the interconnectedness of life and mortality. Through the imagery of a fly's brief existence, Blake delves into the philosophical concepts of existence, thought, and the significance of life's fleeting moments.

The Fly by William Blake

Little Fly,
Thy summer’s play
My thoughtless hand
Has brushed away.
Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?
For I dance
And drink, and sing,
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.
If thought is life
And strength and breath
And the want
Of thought is death;
Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.

Critical Analysis

"The Fly" offers a concise but thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the shared experiences between seemingly dissimilar beings. The poem employs the metaphor of a fly to illustrate the transient nature of existence and the universal truths that apply to all life forms.

The opening lines, "Little Fly, / Thy summer’s play / My thoughtless hand / Has brushed away," immediately establish the fleeting nature of the fly's existence. The image of the fly's summer play being interrupted by the poet's "thoughtless hand" symbolizes the abruptness of mortality and the insignificance of human actions in the grand scheme of life and death.

The poem's second stanza introduces a philosophical dialogue between the speaker and the fly. The questions "Am not I / A fly like thee?" and "Or art not thou / A man like me?" underscore the shared essence of life, regardless of the form it takes. The speaker contemplates the similarities between himself and the fly, emphasizing the universal experiences of joy, consumption, and song.

The stanza "If thought is life / And strength and breath / And the want / Of thought is death;" delves into the theme of existence and thought as the essence of life. The fly's existence is equated with its capacity to think and experience, highlighting the interconnectedness of consciousness and life itself.

The poem's conclusion, "Then am I / A happy fly, / If I live, / Or if I die," encapsulates the essence of the poet's contemplation. The fly's happiness is not confined to life or death but rather resides in the experience of existence itself. The poem challenges traditional notions of mortality and suggests that embracing the present moment is a source of contentment.

Overall, "The Fly" is a meditation on the shared essence of life and the intrinsic value of existence, regardless of its duration.

Themes of the Poem

• Transience of Life: The poem explores the fleeting nature of life and the concept of mortality.
• Shared Experiences: The poem emphasizes the shared experiences and common essence of life across different beings.
• Philosophical Contemplation: The poem delves into philosophical questions about existence, thought, and the significance of life's moments.

Stylistic Analysis

• Metaphorical Language: The metaphor of the fly serves as a symbol for transient existence and prompts contemplation on life's meaning.
• Rhythm and Rhyme: The poem follows an AABB rhyme scheme, contributing to its musicality and rhythm.

Attitudes/Feelings

• Contemplation: The poem reflects the speaker's contemplative mood as they ponder the nature of life and existence.
• Acceptance: The poem suggests a sense of acceptance and contentment with the experiences of life, regardless of its duration.

Language

• Concise Language: The poem's brevity contributes to its focused exploration of philosophical themes.
• Conversational Tone: The dialogue-like structure and questions create a conversational and introspective tone.

Sound Devices

• Rhythm and Repetition: The poem's rhythm and repetition of phrases like "Thy summer’s play" and "If thought is life" enhance its auditory quality.
• Alliteration: The repetition of the "s" sound in "strength," "breath," "thought," and "death" adds auditory impact to the lines.