In Franz Kafka's the Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa transforms into a giant bug. While Gregor's transformation is both physical and mental, his sister Grete experiences a metamorphosis, as well, in a less complex way. The metamorphoses contribute to the overall meaning of the work: beware of unexpected occurances and changes in life.
Gregor Samsa has a stressful and unhappy life. He has a lot of responsibilities, especially within his family. Gregor adores his sister and does not have a close relationship with his parents. To top off his unhappy life, he hates his job. Gregor's metamorphosis into a giant bug illustrates his deep feelings. The pressures that are put on him may be too great and he may feel as small as a bug in some cases. Before his metamorphosis, he felt as if he was an important link in his family. After, however, he feels like he has no use at all.
Grete samsa has not always been the apple of her parents' eyes and the responsible young lady that she has morphed into. All of this changes when Gregor morphes into a bug. Grete loves her brother and even respects him more than their parents. Grete gets a job to help her family just as Gregor had. With her rising to the occasion, there are no more thoughts of Gregor.
Both metamorphoses are significant to the novella. They contribute to the meaning of the work in different ways, however. Gregor's metamorphosis is more complex and perhaps more unexpected. Gregor deals with a lot and feels alone, he probably does not expect to wake up as a bug one day. Grete's metamorphosis is unexected in that she took on responsibilities because of Gregor's metamorphosis.
Though one metamorphosis is more complex than that of the other, they both have significant roles in the novella. They both contribute greatly to the meaning of the work.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Metamorphosis Chapter 3 Questions
Chapter 3 Questions
1) The family is so selfish and did not help Gregor because they were so concerned with the lodgers as well as their own financial problems. They probably did not even think that it was hope for him to recover from his condition.
4) I believe that it’s Gregor’s father that blames him for the situation more so than his entire family. Gregor’s father shows a lot more hostility towards him than the rest of his family.
6) In some way, I believe that Gregor’s family as a whole felt a slight relief when he died. Grete and his mother probably were sad for a while, but did not show it. The family probably had a plan on how to get through their financial problems without him being there.
10) I believe that Grete called Gregor a monster because in the end, he had turned into a monstrous bug. He was no longer keeping to himself; he went out into the main part of the apartment and started to be angry with the family.
12) Gregor stops eating because he wants to know if his family would even realize that he’s starving himself. He felt as if Grete was even beginning to stop caring for him as much. He wanted to know if anyone cared.
14) Grete played her violin because the lodgers wanted her to play. I think that she may have wanted Gregor to hear too; but she did not think that he was going to come out of his room.
16) Gregor’s family abandons him because they do not want to be bothered with him. He was just a burden to them entirely. He was not physically a human and they probably believed that he was going to act a lot differently too.
20) Grete decides to get a job to gain more responsibility and be more recognized by her mother and father. Maybe she wants to follow in Gregor’s footsteps.
21) I think that there is significance in the maid finding Gregor’s dead body and not his family. His family did not have him on the mind. I wonder when they would even realize that he was no longer living.
23) Kafka made Gregor die because he was dying slowly himself. I believe that it was intended for Gregor to be as much like Kafka as possible.
1) The family is so selfish and did not help Gregor because they were so concerned with the lodgers as well as their own financial problems. They probably did not even think that it was hope for him to recover from his condition.
4) I believe that it’s Gregor’s father that blames him for the situation more so than his entire family. Gregor’s father shows a lot more hostility towards him than the rest of his family.
6) In some way, I believe that Gregor’s family as a whole felt a slight relief when he died. Grete and his mother probably were sad for a while, but did not show it. The family probably had a plan on how to get through their financial problems without him being there.
10) I believe that Grete called Gregor a monster because in the end, he had turned into a monstrous bug. He was no longer keeping to himself; he went out into the main part of the apartment and started to be angry with the family.
12) Gregor stops eating because he wants to know if his family would even realize that he’s starving himself. He felt as if Grete was even beginning to stop caring for him as much. He wanted to know if anyone cared.
14) Grete played her violin because the lodgers wanted her to play. I think that she may have wanted Gregor to hear too; but she did not think that he was going to come out of his room.
16) Gregor’s family abandons him because they do not want to be bothered with him. He was just a burden to them entirely. He was not physically a human and they probably believed that he was going to act a lot differently too.
20) Grete decides to get a job to gain more responsibility and be more recognized by her mother and father. Maybe she wants to follow in Gregor’s footsteps.
21) I think that there is significance in the maid finding Gregor’s dead body and not his family. His family did not have him on the mind. I wonder when they would even realize that he was no longer living.
23) Kafka made Gregor die because he was dying slowly himself. I believe that it was intended for Gregor to be as much like Kafka as possible.
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