Explain the theme of "The Spider and The Fly" by Mary Howitt.

The theme of "The
Spider and the Fly" is that people should not allow themselves to be manipulated by others
who prey on their vanity. In the poem, the spider first tries to inveigle the fly into entering
the spider's house by telling the fly how comfortable his parlor is and how welcoming he will be
to the fly. The spider then promises the fly a rest on his bed and treats from his pantry. The
fly wisely resists these attempts to get her to enter the spider's house; however, she cannot
resist the spider's flattery, as he praises her wings and eyes and offers her the chance to look
into his mirror. Motivated by her great vanity, the fly enters the spider's lair and is
entrapped. The poet tells the reader not to be tricked by "idle, silly, flattering
words" at the end of the poem. The theme is that vanity will make people susceptible to
doing foolish things, so people need to be wary of others who flatter them only to deceive
them.