Setting

The short story “The Fly” by Katherine Mansfield is set in the UK, sometime after the end of World War I, most likely in 1922, when the text was published. Markers of physical setting are references to “Windsor Castle” (p. 744, l. 5) which is in the UK but also to “the City” (p. 743, l. 13) which was a common name for London.

Time setting

The time setting is indicated by references to the war and Belgium,...

...

Physical setting

The main physical setting is the office of the boss, which is thoroughly described and suggests the comfort of the British upper middle-class:​

...

Social setting

The social setting is equally important as it depicts a post-World War I, ageing British middle class. Both Mr Woodifield and the boss have lost their only boys in the war and are now ageing without...

...