The Spider And The Fly

“The Spider to the Fly” is written as a cautionary tale for its child readers, yet with themes that are also applicable to older audiences. Howitt’s subtitle calls it “A new Version of an old Story,” one that involves temptation and succumbing to poor choices. Howitt borrows from the architecture of a spider’s web and a spider’s feeding on prey. She creates a parable, or simple work that reveals a truth, of human seduction. As J. W. Searson and George E. Martin put it in 1913, “we follow the cunning invitation [. . .] of the spider, and the hesitancy and final yielding of the silly little fly, not as games insects might play, but as powerful forces at work in the great world of men and women” (See: Further Reading & Resources).

The narrative begins with Spider, later revealed to be male, inviting the “little Fly” (Line 5), who is later revealed to be female, to “walk into [his] parlour” (Line 1). Spider appeals to Fly’s love of attractive items as well as her curiosity. Spider notes that his room is “the prettiest [. . .] that ever you did see” (Line 2) and explains how his home contains “curious things” (Line 4) he will show her if she consents. While this alludes to the natural entity of a spider’s web, it also suggests a wealthy man’s home and possessions. Spider seems, at first, to be offering the use of these to Fly.

Fly, however, knows this offer comes with a dangerous price. Several previous visitors have disappeared before her. No one who has gone up Spider’s “winding stair [comes] down again” (Line 6). Spider offers physical and emotional comfort: He insists she might enjoy his “little bed” (Line 8) and suggests he “snugly tuck [her] in” (Line 10). He notes the bed has “pretty curtains” (Line 9) and “sheets [that] are fine and thin” (Line 9). Care and comfort are appealing, but readers may know that the common garden spider wraps his prey in silk sheets to immobilize it before giving its fatal bite. This creates a sense of dramatic irony, where the reader is aware of something a character is not. Symbolically, the poem implies that Fly’s acquiescence would land her in a web of trouble, as Spider is asking for an intimate encounter. Fly protects her virtue, knowing that others have not been so lucky: “They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed” (Line 12), she notes.

Spider continues to lure Fly with material goods and with seemingly nice words: He assures Fly that she is his “dear friend” (Line 13) for whom he has “warm affection” (Line 14) and offers up his “pantry [which has a] good store of all that’s nice” (Line 15). Fly is of value to him, he insists. Fly again resists, but this time does note that he is “kind” (Line 17). This shows him he is making inroads on her psyche. Even though she’s “heard what’s in [his] pantry and [does] not wish to see” (Line 18), Spider sees a chink in her armor.

Spider downplays Fly’s concern, a common tactic of human predators who often make their targets doubt their own perceptions. Spider is invested in making sure Fly perceives that he’s not so bad, so he offers several compliments to soften her resolve. He mentions “[her] gauzy wings” (Line 20) and her “brilliant. . .eyes” (Line 20). Then, he offers her a mirror—a rarity at the time period—so she can see for herself how pretty she is. Fly tells him she will see him “another day” (Line 24), but she also thanks him and calls him “gentle” (Line 23), the opposite of what he is.

Now knowing what type of temptation works best, Spider is confident he can land his mark with a “subtle web” (Line 27). When he goes “out to his door again” (Line 29), he uses an amplified version of his previous compliments to lure Fly to “come hither” (Line 30). Once more, he calls Fly “pretty” (Line 30) and notes her exterior of “pearl and silver wings, / [y]our robes are green and purple” (Lines 30-31). He also compliments the “crest upon [her] head” (Line 31) which might, in human terms, be a hat or hairdo, and her “diamond bright” (Line 32) eyes. This commands her attention and Fly, taking his flattery as truth rather than guile, draws closer until Spider “jump[s] up [. . .] and fiercely held her fast” (Line 38). Spider takes Fly up his stairs and into his now “dismal den” (Line 39) and she, like others before her, never “[comes] out again” (Line 40).

The poem’s speaker, who is speaking to some “dear little children” (Line 41), comments on the tragedy as a cautionary tale. Like many French fairy tales such as “Little Red Riding Cap” and “Bluebeard,” there is a lesson to be had in the example of “The Spider and the Fly.” The narrator warns the children—and perhaps in particular, young ladies—to “ne’er give heed” (Line 42) to flattery. The narrator urges those listening to “close [their] heart and ear and eye” (Line 43) to those who might creep into their lives like Spiders, promising comfort but delivering doom.