Flypaper by Simon Armitage

Flypaper

Flypaper by Simon Armitage is a short story taking place in the world as we know it, England to be specific, however possibly in a parallel universe. It occurs in ‘an age like today’, and therefore not today exactly. People are generally busy, yet they generally still have time to practice interests. The town where the story unfolds is placed in a general vicinity of ‘the north of England'. Not much information is given because not much information is needed. The reality is different, but at the same time almost identical – all additional information is irrelevant.

In this alternate universe, an alternative artist suddenly begins to challenge the norms of art and social etiquette in general for the matter. The man, as he is later uncovered to be, begins as a minor figure with a ‘cult following’, but suddenly gains huge popularity among all parts of the country. He is humble and carries no agenda of achieving fame or riches, instead, he seeks to spread his message (although the content of this is not abundantly clear). The man is a living mystery but has the love of the people.

However, the establishers of norms and society, are naturally unhappy. The man diminishes their power, with his rebellious acts. This is especially true for a particular political leader named Perry, which in its Latin origins means “traveler”, vaguely hinting that this man potentially is a foreigner. Perry does not currently fare well in the game of politics, and thus he needs a success story to reclaim his political esteem. The artist exhibits his installations on public and private property, and hence can technically be called a vandal. Therefore, Perry resolves to ‘nail’ the man. By use of the press, he indirectly invites the artist to create a new work in the drying concrete on the town square. But that same night he betrays him. The artist shows up, dressed only in a loincloth and a crown of barbed wire. He lays in the concrete, arms outstretched, and ankles crossed, as if he knows of the upcoming betrayal, yet voluntarily participates. And when Perry's staff steps into ‘nail' him, the man sinks further down into the concrete, accepting his fate, before he disappears completely.

This story of a man sounds awfully familiar to a story of a man in our own universe, although at a different time; The story of Jesus Christ. Once he too was a minor figure, with only a few disciples, and although not as quickly he becomes known throughout Galilee. Jesus does not care for money and takes no payment for his ‘services'. Instead, he wants to spread his message of love. He is mysterious but loved by the people. But the political leader of Galilee, Pontius Pilatus, a foreigner from Rome, is in political troubles. Although he does not dislike Christ, Pilatus uses Judean laws, which Jesus has broken many of, as an excuse to nail him to the cross, thereby regaining his political esteem. Christ is betrayed by his own but willingly accept his suffering and death. A few days later, however, Jesus disappears from his grave, and the story of him lives on, thereby denying Pilatus the victory that he expected.