The Fly, William Blake: Summary & Analysis
Table of Contents
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 sum…