Comprehending surface reading through The Fly

Abstract

Surface reading is a lesser-used yet effective method of critical reading. The more commonly practiced method of symptomatic reading focuses on unearthing meaning from a depth that texts supposedly hide on the surface. On the contrary, surface reading positions all interpretations of the text on its surface itself. The text presents all its interpretations through its verbal structure, critical descriptions, patterns, et al. Renowned short story writer Katherine Mansfield’s works present best interpretations best when surface reading is employed. She connects themes, characters and textual content in an intricately and carefully designed web on the surface. In particular, her short story - ‘The Fly’ - is a classic case where methods of surface reading as a verbal structure of language, critical descriptions, patterns that exist across and within text(s), et al. can be studied exhaustively. This article elucidates the benefits and techniques of surface reading through a case study of Mansfield’s ‘The Fly’.