Structure

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Beginning

"Fly-Paper" by Elizabeth Taylor begins with an exposition, telling the readers of Sylvia’s regular trips to the outskirts of the nearest town for her music lessons. Sylvia hates these music lessons but does not complain about it, because of her “docile manner” (l. 2), foreshadowing her acceptance to follow a strange…

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Middle

In the rising action, the bus arrives, and Sylvia gets on, noticing that there is an elderly man staring at her from the opposite seat. She tries to avoid his glance, assuming he is staring at her because of her winter coat, unsuitable for such a warm day. Her grandmother had advised her to the coat, because “the weather had a threat of change to it” (l. 34). The sudden use of the ominous word “threat” can be taken as foreshadowing, alerting the readers that the old man is a threat.

The tension rises as the man opposite her rema…

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Ending

Sylvia hears footsteps on the path and then sees Herbert stepping confidently into the kitchen. He and Mabel greet each other. This heavily foreshadowed plot twist marks the climax: 

Sylvia turned round as the door opened. With astonished horror, she saw the man from the bus step confidently into the kitchen.
'Well done, Mabel!' he said, closing the door behind him. 'Don't forget one for the pot!' He smiled, smoothing his hands together, surveying the room. (…