Analyze the symbolism of the weather. How is weather used to intensify mood?
On the first page of the story, when Gregor first awakens to discover that he has transformed in to an enormous bug, it’s raining outside. Rain in this context could symbolize new beginnings; when it rains everything is washed away and cleansed. Gregor, in a sense, has just started his life again; his old life has been washed away. The rain gives a sleepy dreamy atmosphere; when it’s raining outside and you just wake up people generally want to go back to sleep because it’s so calm and the world appears to be still. This contradicts Gregor’s situation. He’s extremely calm for being turned into a bug. On page 31 it reads ‘in which the gray sky and the gray earth blended.’ This passage is from several days after his metamorphosis. It insinuates that the area in which Gregor lives is always gray. Gray is a bleak color that is used when there’s no more hope and they world is dull and sad. At this point Gregor is loosing his vision so he can no longer see the outside world, thus adding to his isolation. The insistent gray weather reveals Gregor’s sadness and isolation. On the last page of the story, page 52, the weather is pleasant and sunny as the family decides to go to the countryside. The sunny weather also symbolizes new beginnings; spring is when the sun comes out and new animals are born and the trees and flowers bloom. Also the sunny bright weather gives a feeling of happiness and relief. You know from the weather that they have a bright future ahead of them. The weather gives the reader a conclusion to the story even though we are never told what happens after.
The book is in three parts as is an actual metamorphosis in insects. In the first chapter Gregor awakens to find that he has been turned into a bug; everything is new to him as if he is the larva. He is like a child because he doesn’t know how to move himself, talk or open doors. His family responds to his change by locking him in his room and they slowly begin their change. So both the family and Gregor are new to him being turned into an insect. In the second chapter Gregor is settling down and starting to become accustomed to being fed and having his room cleaned. His family has basically come to terms with his change although not completely because they cannot stand to see him. By the end of this chapter Gregor has discovered that he can walk on walls, doesn’t like to eat fresh food, can use his antennae to find his way around the room and is losing his eyesight. The family realizes that they don’t have enough money to support themselves and so decide to get jobs. These jobs lead to their embitterment and the father taking the position of authority in the house, which appears to turn him cold. Gregor is stuck in his house as if he’s in his cocoon. In the final and third chapter of the book the family has to bring boarders to their house because they need more money to support themselves. Gregor is presumed to be slowly dying. The night after sneaking out of his room to listen to his sister play the violin he dies. This releases his family from their responsibility of taking care of him. In the end it’s his family that turns into the bug and blooms. It’s also noteworthy that the story takes place in only three rooms; the living room, Gregor’s room and Grete’s room and there are three members of his family. In Christianity the number three has to do with the Holy Spirit, the father and the son but I can find no connection to the story.
The real metamorphosis is what happens to his family, not what happens to Gregor. Comment.
Gregor may have magically transformed into an enormous bug but his thoughts remain the same. He constantly thinks of his responsibility of supporting his family while the rest of his family change in both appearance and personality. The family begins to eat and drink less and begin to work. This physical exertion causes them to become fatigued and tired looking. They also appear to become bitter towards Gregor; by the end of the tale even his sister has stopped caring for him as much as she did before. Gregor continues to love his sister after his transformation however his sister still cannot stand to look at him after a month of him being a bug and this leads to a decline in her caring for him. This is the biggest tragedy in the story because Gregor had intended to send her to music school before he turned into an insect. One night when she’s playing the violin for the people staying at their house Gregor comes out of his room to try and listen to her better when he is shooed back into his room. His family appears to not care for him as much as they once did, mostly because of the misery his transformation has brought on the family; they don’t have as much money as they used to which leads them to getting jobs and boarders. Gregor has stayed true to his family in his thoughts and actions; he takes them into consideration throughout the novel but his family changes gradually. They become embittered which brings out the worst in their personalities, but comes across as them changing completely.
In the dictionary metamorphosis is defined as ‘(in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages’ and ‘a transformation as if by magic or sorcery in stories or a marked change in appearance, character, condition or function.’ This implies that the story will be about either an amphibian or an insect, upon the reading the story it is apparent that Gregor is transformed into an insect. Kafka’s style of writing describes situations that involve alienation, anxiety, isolation and distortion. When you consider Kafka’s style and you read the title its understandable that there is going to be some dramatic change in a person, probably not a change in personality or habit, but a change in physical appearance which will somehow lead them to discovering how lonely the world really is. The title is not simply ‘Metamorphosis’ it’s ‘The Metamorphosis.’ The use of ‘the’ says that this is a one time special event that never happens, if it had simply been called ‘metamorphosis’ it could have been a gradual change in a person, either into an insect or amphibian or a change in personality. ‘The’ makes it seem sudden and unexpected. So, considering Kafka’s manner of writing and the title of the book, it can be deduced that the story will be about the sudden change of someone or something into an amphibian or insect and by transforming they will realize how lonely and distant they are from either their family, which mirrors Kafka’s relation to his family, or the world.
People react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
How often have you heard the phrase “it’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s about what’s on the inside”? How often are you truly curious about what’s on the inside without having been attracted by the outside? The question I ask myself is: Is a person not defined by both his inside and his outside? If your answer is yes, then think about the use - the meaning - of the societal rule. Personally, I believe the moral expectation is there to help us separate ourselves from our animalistic nature; to remind us that we are a superior race and that we should care about what is moral – what is right. I believe ethics are an artificial illusion, a wall that separates us from the truth. In Kafka’s famous novel, “The Metamorphosis”, we find ourselves in a setting where this societal wall does not exist… perhaps we are confronted to our true nature. In the first line of the story, Gregor Samsa finds himself “transformed … into an enormous bug”. Having read the story, we know how Gregor’s family is going to react regarding the transformation. Personally, I believe everyone would be disgusted. That is, everyone would look at the outside. After having struggled to unlock his door, Gregor finally shows himself to the audience awaiting him outside his room, and the reactions are as follows: the chief clerk “stepped slowly backward as if driven away by some invisible force” (20), Mrs. Samsa “collapsed in the midst of her petticoat … her face completely lost view and her on her chest” (20), and Mr. Samsa “shaded his eyes with his hands and wept” (20). The reactions towards Gregor’s transformation clearly demonstrate how little respect is given to his inside (which is the same as when he was human). Although we do feel sorry for Gregor as he is confronted with expressions of horror, we cannot help but agree with the fact that the vermin-like image of Gregor is repulsive and shocking. In opposition to the way we act, I believe it is true that “people react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside”. However, I think that unconsciously, we know that a person is made up of two parts: the outside and the inside. Our first impression/reaction of a person is therefore based on their exterior; but our true understanding of them is based on their inside.
This was posted by Marius (im just not sure how to put my name)
According to the Encarta dictionary, a martyr is defined as “somebody who makes sacrifices or suffers greatly in order to advance a cause or principle”. It can therefore be argued that Gregor is a martyr for three reasons. Gregor’s first act of martyrdom is working as a travelling salesman in order to service his father’s debt. Although he hates his job for several reasons, Gregor continues to work hard every day of the week in order to pay off the debt his dad owes his boss… the reason for which is actually unknown to Gregor. On page 15, Gregor asks himself “Why he is the only one condemned to work for a firm, where people immediately conceived the greatest suspicions at the smallest sign of negligence?” The first important part of the quote is the description of the corporate culture that seems to dominate the business. According to Gregor’s description, the firm is made up of people who not only never miss a day at work, and the management seems to have little trust in its workers – they keep a close eye on every single salesman. The fact that Gregor’s dad owes money to the boss of such a company raises questions about the origin of the debt. Could it be that he once worked for the company (this would explain his dominant character)? Secondly it is important to notice the importance of the word ‘condemned’. According to the definition of the word martyr, a martyr is someone who makes sacrifices willingly for a good cause. However, the fact that Gregor feels condemned (or is condemned) to work there might is contradictive to the nature of martyrdom. Also, Gregor has the intention of working there, and bearing the torture, for as long as the debt isn’t recovered. Ironically though, his father knows the debt has been serviced but decides to continue playing the game in order for the family to have a stable income. Whether Gregor exhibits enough characteristics of a martyr is a personal decision to make. I personally believe he isn’t because he is forced to work; he does not suffer willingly. The second act of martyrdom is his death towards the end of the story. After hearing his sister state “If it were Gregor, he would long since have realized that it’s impossible for people to live side by side with an animal like that, and would have gone away of his own free will”, Gregor returns to his room where he will die during the night. In this case, I believe we can call Gregor a martyr because the pain of going back inside his dark room and deciding to die is a personal decision he makes. However, the fact that he dies seems to be more of a relief than suffering. In fact, it seems like dying eases the suffering of living. Therefore, comparing this to the definition, it could be argued that Gregor is helping himself... and it is not an act of martyrdom. The final reason for which Gregor might be called a martyr is the suffering inflicted upon him through his transformation. The fact that he turns into a bug is already an important part of the suffering. However, what is more painful to Gregor is seeing the pain he inflicts upon his relatives. He notices the change that takes place in the family, the obligations that each of the members has to take up in order to keep the family afloat, and the character transformation that is occurring. Personally, I believe that Gregor’s life is the example that fits best with the definition of a martyr. Although it could be argued that the suffering is forced upon him, examples such as hiding under the couch to spare his relatives the horror suggest that it is not entirely forced upon him – that there is a degree of willingness in the psychological torture. The answer to whether Gregor is a martyr is entirely dependent on which part of the suffering you consider the most important. Personally, I would say that Gregor is a martyr because in most cases, he undergoes pain in order to spare his family.
Why is Gregor a martyr? Gregor went through constant suffering, discomfort, and alienation in order to provide for his family and settle the amount of debt his father had. He had spent his whole career working as a travelling salesman. The job forced him to eat food that he disliked and prevented him from maintaining relationships with other people which further alienated him from not only his family, but also from society. Despite the shortcomings of his job, Gregor continued to work so that he could pay the debt that his father owed, and saved some money to send his sister Grete to music school. Even after his transformation, Gregor seems to sympathize for his family and worry about the anxiety and stress he was making them go through because of his metamorphosis. Gregor was concerned about who would provide and how the family would cope with his absence. Despite his state, Gregor still attempted to make things right with his family by trying to talk to them, which they refused to do, and he still cared for his father even after he found out that he had paid off the debt but his father was keeping the money away from him.
Explain how Mrs.Samsa and Grete’s attempts to remove furniture from Gregor’s room make him feel When Grete and Mrs.Samsa attempt to remove the furniture from Gregor’s room, Gregor is not happy with their decision and tries to stop them. The furniture in his room is symbolic of parts of his old human life being taken away from him. The picture of the woman on his wall symbolizes the relationships with the opposite sex that he was unable to maintain due to his stressful and time consuming job. The glass is also a symbol of what separates Gregor from females. Gregor’s act of jumping on the picture while his mother and sister are taking it out, illustrate how upset and angry he was at their attempt. After his transformation, Gregor longs for the life that he had hated when he was human. Gregor frequently looks through his window to the outside world and earns to be back in it.
Contrast the woman in fur with Grete The woman in fur is depicted to be a sex symbol and also a symbol of the relationship that Gregor has wanted but was unable to maintain with the opposite sex. The fur coat enhances her sexuality. Gregor did not always have a good relationship with the opposite sex. But with the exception of a few women he met on the road. Grete is the innocent sister of Gregor that he has always maintained a good brother sister relationship with until his transformation. Grete cared for Gregor at the beginning of his metamorphosis until she got her job and stopped caring for him.
This is the story of the rejection of an individual's appeals for love in the modern world. Comment.
This really is a story of the rejection of Gregor's appeals for love, acceptance, companionship, family and support in the modern world. His job gave him no time at all for long lasting friendships or relationships. His family alienated him, and used him. He was enslaved by his job, a job he didn’t even like, a job that stressed him out and only brought him frustration, but a job he had to do in order to support his dysfunctional family. As a human being, Gregor tried reaching out to his family but his work schedule did not allow any time for his family or any friends. His appeal for love here was rejected by his job and lack of free time from it. After turning into a bug, we see time and time again, Gregor trying to reach out to his family. On Page 21, we see him open the door to his locked room to let in his family and show them what he had become. He wanted to show to his chief Clark that he wasn’t a lazy employee. Perhaps he hoped, perhaps he expected his family would love him enough to accept his transformation, that’s why he was so calm, but his good intentions were utterly misread, the chief Clark ran off screaming and terrified at Gregor’s sight. His mother fainted, his father became hostile, and all in all, Gregor was locked up in his room, alienated from the rest of his family, cut off from their love because of what he had become. Moments when he would leave the room, he was only to be aggressively harassed back into it, getting injured in the process even though he would try to communicate to them that he meant no harm and just wanted to be part of them again. He was treated like a vermin by his own family and finally died alone in his dark room, from the injuries he got from his own father, his appeal for love to the modern world rejected.
Analyze the statement “…they thought it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband…It was like confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions…” Discuss the plans Mr. and Mrs. Samsa has for Grete and whether or not they will transfer their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. (Chapter 3)
The Samsas plan on finding Grete a husband. By “good” husband, I have the feeling they mean a husband from a well to do family, a husband, who through Grete can support them just like Gregor did. Their dreams and good intentions revolve around finding someone new to enslave with the duty of looking after them for nothing in return. They are planning on transferring their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. As soon as she is ready, which they are planning on being soon, they are going to marry her off, then live off her and her family for the rest of their lives, just like they did with Gregor. They used him; they lived off him unnecessarily when they were all physically capable of making money for themselves. They burdened him with the task of looking after them and they are planning to do the same with Grete. They will enslave Grete just like they did Gregor and bind her with the guilt of family duty. To them work and money are important and they value it more than they do family relationship and support. They see their children as investments that must take care of them later. And thus is Grete fate not that Gregor is gone.
Our modern technological society crushes the humanity from a person. Discuss in relation to The Metamorphosis.
Franz Kafka, author of The Metamorphosis portrayed this statement through his character Gregor Samsa literally by having him transform into an inhuman creature. Modern technological society crushed the humanity out of Gregor and turned him into a vermin. We see on page 1 after Gregor discovers his metamorphosis he starts complaining about his job, he has chosen a strenuous profession, he travels day in and day out, he has to worry about train connections and bad meals at irregular hours, and irregular human contact that never lasts, never becomes a friendship or relationship. Gregor was the epitome of a modern man in a modern technological society and he ended up inhuman after all the humanity was crushed out of him. He was enslaved and overworked and alienated and isolated, he lost his personal identity. He lived for his job, not for his own fulfillment. He was burdened by the duty of looking after his lazy family. He lived in a world where work and money were everything. No time for fun, family of friends. Complete loss of the basics of humanity. He ended up dying alone, in a dark room, a vermin, alienated from his family, with no way of ever getting a job in his current state. The modern technological society he lived and worked for had crushed the humanity from him. He was now a bug.
Comment on Rahama and Marius’ post on “Why is Gregor a martyr?”
You both have excellent points in supporting this and I agree completely, however allow me to play devil’s advocate, let’s say we looked at this book as Kafka trying to portray a state of existentialism where individuals are responsible for the decisions they make and have complete freedom over what to choose. Then one would say that Gregor made his choice, he could have chosen to not take that stressful job, he could have chosen to not take on the burden of paying back someone else’s debt, he could have chosen to spend more time with his family, he had that freedom, but he chose to work to pay back his father’s debt, and with this he chose to travel, he chose the stress, he chose the alienation, yes, he hated it all, but why didn’t he just stop, why didn’t he choose a better life for himself, if he had, all this would have been avoided, he would have been happier, he wouldn’t have become a martyr, he wouldn’t have even died under such horrendous circumstances. Existentialists believe in the individual, and how one has to face the consequences of his individual choices. Gregor was free to make an individual choice but because of love for his family he chose to carry their burden, completely sacrificing his own happiness and feelings. To some this might be looked at as martyrdom but to existentialists this is an individual not embracing his freedom and making bad choices.
Response to faith's comment on: Analyze the statement “…they thought it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband…It was like confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions…” Discuss the plans Mr. and Mrs. Samsa has for Grete and whether or not they will transfer their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. (Chapter 3)
Although the points you made were valid, don't you think it's possible that her parents simply meant for their daughter to find a husband that would love Grete and help her get passed the nightmare that they had all been through. Mr.Samsa and Mrs.Samsa don't need to be taken care of anymore at this point because they have both gone back to working and are earning salaries. Beside that, Mr.Samsa has the money that he was keeping hidden which Gregor thought he was paying his debt for. Also, it has almost always been a tradition or a way of life for women to marry as soon as they reach a certain age. The Samsa family seems to be an old-fashioned family, so it is very possible for them to practice these traditions In this case, Grete has reached that age, and thus is able to get married, move on with her life, and as stated in the book, take her part in the society.
How does this work reflect the struggles of Kafka’s own life? To some extent, Kafka’s own life is reflected in The Metamorphosis. The Metamorphosis opens with Gregor transformed into a vermin. Early on, Gregor’s dreary work as a salesman and his apathy towards it is described to the reader. Like Gregor, Kafka himself worked a dull job at an insurance office. However, Kafka wanted to pursue literature, and therefore, like Gregor, did not enjoy his job and did it out of mere necessity. Furthermore, Kafka studied law, and pursued this work, because his father approved of it. Similarly, Gregor Samsa works as a travelling salesman for his father- to pay of his father’s debt. Kafka, like the character of Gregor Samsa, also lived with his parents (until he was thirty three). In The Metamorphosis Kafka portrays the Samsa family as dysfunctional and broken. Mr. Samsa is a domineering father, subjugating his own son. Gregor worked to pay off his father’s debt, yet it was already paid off. His father merely used him and viewed him as a source of income rather than his son. The tensions described and implied between Mr. Samsa and Gregor parallel Kafka's own strained relationship with is father. Mr. Samsa attacks Gregor with apples, permanently hurting him, and this reflects the violent manner of Kafka’s own father. Kafka suffered extreme punishments from his overbearing father. The poor and strained relations between Kafka and his father, led to lifelong guilt, anxiety and lack of self-confidence. As Gregor begins to contemplate the implications of his transformation, he is overridden with shame and guilt (as he is no longer able to provide for his family). However, Gregor’s poor relations are not just between him and his father. For example, Gregor is attached to the picture hanging in his room, implying he does not form authentic relationships. The picture and his attachment to it symbolizes his alienation and strained relationships- particularly with women. This reflects on Kafka’s own insecurities with women. He called off numerous engagements, tortured by self doubt. As the story progresses, Gregor’s health deteriorates- covered in dust, he stops eating, his father has permanently caused him physical damage. Kafka himself had numerous health problems, suffering from fatigue, chronic headaches and insomnia. In The Metamorphosis Gregor’s hunger is no longer for food but for love and attention from his family, emphasizing his alienation from them. Like Gregor Samsa, Kafka was also very isolated. Gregor Samsa forms physical barriers between himself and his family, for example, by locking his door. Similarly, Kafka lived in self-imposed isolation form his three younger sisters. However Kafka did have a “favorite” sister, Ottla – the relationship between Gregor and Grete perhaps reflects the relationship between Kafka and Ottla. Not only was Kafka isolated from his family, but also, in society, as a member of Prague’s Jewish yet German speaking minority.
Describe how Gregor is gradually dehumanized? Gregor awakes to find he has transformed into a monstrous vermin. He has lost his physical humanity and identity however he still possesses human thought and emotion. For example, his primary concern is time and how to get to work. Hence, despite his physical appearance, he remains human inside. However, as he attempts to talk to his parents and the chief clerk, Gregor eventually realize his voice in intangible. This further dehumanizes him- his inability to communicate with humans. In fact, at first, he himself can not recognize his own voice, suggesting he is still accustomed to his human voice, to his human self. His adaptation to his vermin voice, therefore, to some extent, strips him from his human identity. Similarly, Gregor initially, is unable to maneuver his body- he does not know how to. However, he eventually, becomes obsessed with crawling around his room and develops vermin mannerisms. A After Gregor’s transformation, Grete, his sister, has the responsibility of feeding him. She offers him milk, his favorite beverage. Gregor however, despite enjoying it as human, dislikes milk as a vermin. He adapts a new taste for rotten food- rotten vegetables and moldy cheese. This also, further strips him of his human identity. Despite these initial transformations, Gregor still attempts to hold on to his human past. For example, he resists his sister’s decisions to remove the furniture from his room- the furniture becomes a symbol for Gregor’s humanity. Therefore, when it is removed, it is implied that Gregor is further dehumanized. Gregor’s initial emotions are for his family. He is repressed by guilt and shame as he is no longer able to provide for them. His primary concerns are for his family, not for himself. He often presses himself up against his door, listening to the family’s conversations. This changes however, as the story goes on. Gregor becomes increasingly preoccupied with his vermin needs rather than his family. This further dehumanizes him. The family themselves are a part of Gregor’s increasing dehumanization. The family isolates Gregor, Grete being the only one who goes into his room, hence, contact with them diminishes. The lack of contact, with not only his family, but generally, humans dehumanizes him. Moreover, to begin with, Grete cares for Gregor. For example, she cleans Gregor’s room, removes the furniture to make more space for him. However, later on, as Grete grows tired of caring for Gregor, his room becomes a dumping ground. Gregor lays in the junk, dust collecting on him. This dirty depiction and imagery of Gregor and his room further dehumanizes him. In addition to that, in contrast to his obsession at the start, Gregor becomes no longer aware at the speed at which time passes. Despite his dehumanization, Gregor is reminded of his human past as he hears Grete play the violin for the lodgers. He enjoys the sound of the music and this reinforces his human nature. Furthermore, Gregor’s final act is very humane; Gregor dies as a sacrifice for his family.
Characterize Grete by Gregor’s memories, her actions, and her thoughts Grete is Gregor’s adoring and devoted sister. It seems the only strong relationship Gregor has, is with her. Grete’s first words of The Metamorphosis are “Gregor? Aren’t you well? Are you needing anything?” This introduces and depicts Grete’s genuine concern and love for Gregor. Once the family is aware of Gregor’s transformation, Grete is the one who takes on the responsibility of looking after him. Aware that Gregor’s favorite beverage is milk, she places some in a bowl for him. This act shows Grete knows Gregor- his likes and dislikes. Again, this implies her close relationship with him. Grete furthermore, initially, pays attention to Gregor’s actions and tries to help him. She notices he dislikes the milk, and brings him a variety of food to taste. Her character is polite; she knows Gregor would not eat in her presence, and hence, steps out. Later on, after cleaning, she places the chair in front of the window after “noticing twice that the chair was standing by the window”. Grete cares for Gregor’s well being, the way she would before his transformation. Overall, a kind-hearted and considerate character is portrayed. Taking on this role as Gregor’s caretaker, Grete became “the expert” on Gregor and his needs. She is the only one who dares enter his room. It is stated, “Nobody except Grete would ever dare to enter a space in which Gregor on his own dominated the bare walls”. It suggests Grete has developed confidence. In addition, it implies she is willing to sacrifice for the family, perhaps, in the way Gregor did before the transformation. However, Grete begins to become increasingly protective toward the responsibility of taking care of Gregor. She begins to use Gregor’s transformation to show her responsibility. This shows perhaps, that no longer is she concerned about Gregor’s welfare but instead, is trying to prove herself helpful, indicating that she is somewhat selfish. Furthermore, Grete gains power as she cares for Gregor yet it can be argued that she abuses this power. She begins to decide who can visit him and what is to be done to his room. For example, when the decision is made to take out Gregor’s furniture, she is firm. Mrs. Samsa opposes it however Grete’s decision is final. This is the turning point. Grete did it to make room for Gregor however she stripped him of part of his humanity, which he did in fact want to hold onto. Despite the good intentions, she made the wrong decision. From then on, Grete’s relations with Gregor are increasingly strained. She can no longer stand the sight or smell of him, and stops cleaning his room. His room, in fact, becomes a dumping ground, a direct contrast to Grete’s insistence on removing the furniture. The one time she directly refers to him, for example, she threatens him, “‘Just wait Gregor!’… with raised fist and piercing glances.” Eventually, she no longer believes the vermin is her brother, referring to Gregor as “it”, demanding to get rid of “it”. Her caring, considerate character has been washed away by her brother’s transformation.
Analyze the symbolism of the weather. How is weather used to intensify mood? I agree with much of what is said. Gregor is unusually composed, and “melancholy”. The sound imagery of the “raindrops beating against the window gutter” intensifies Gregor’s sleepy and dazed demeanor. Kafka perhaps uses this imagery, therefore, to shock the reader by portraying an unresponsive Gregor, in a devastating situation. However, the gloomy weather at the beginning of The Metamorphosis also intensifies the absurd, depressing notion of Gregor turning into a vermin. When Gregor finally opens the door, and reveals himself, it is stated,” Meanwhile it had become much brighter outside…” This gives insight to the character emotions. It perhaps, conveys and symbolizes Gregor’s relief and hope, in the moment, as he is finally able to communicate his problem to his parents. Furthermore, he feels liberated, once he can show the chief clerk that he was unable to get to work, and that he is serious about his job. In addition to that, Gregor, perhaps, feels that with his family aware of the situation, they can help him. However, it is also stated, that the rain continues to fall. This may symbolize the eventual fate of the unpromising situation, despite Gregor’s temporary relief. The “gray sky” I agree, also suggests and highlights Gregor’s hopeless situation. It not only gives insight into the general situation, though, but also perhaps, symbolizes Gregor’s own despair. Again I agree with N wander in that there is direct contrast between the weather at the beginning and at the end of The Metamorphosis. Dark, rainy and “dismal” weather introduces and epitomizes the unfortunate and horrific event. It, perhaps, also foreshadows the pain to come ahead. On the other hand, the sunny, bright weather depicts the end of this strife. The weather symbolizes a new beginning for the Samsa family. In addition to that, the “gray sky” also contrasts with the sun coming out. This perhaps depicts an end to Gregor’s own sorrow, and his meaningless life as a vermin.
Identify two symptoms of Gregor’s alienation of his family.
Already before his transformation into a vermin, Gregor seemed like a man who was distant from society. However, alienation from society, though to some it may seem like the most ridiculous thing, is not so uncommon. What I believe is more bizarre in Gregor’s case, especially considering the fact that he is a man who lives with his parents, is the alienation from his family. The first clear symptom of this alienation is the fact that Gregor locks his door whenever he sleeps at home: “But Gregor had not the slightest intention of opening the door; in fact, he was now glad he had formed the cautious habit, an offshoot of his business trips, of locking all his doors at night even at home.” On its’ own, the fact that Gregor does not seem able to distinguish between home and work (in terms of safety) is quite bizarre. In addition, the fact that he carries his travelling habit of locking doors clearly illustrates his alienation, how distant he is, from his family. In a bigger context, the fact that he locks his doors also suggests that his relationship with his relatives is very shallow. Perhaps this is due to his work which does not allow him to be home very often. Another symptom already mentioned earlier which illustrates Gregor’s alienation from his family is the shallow relationships he has with each member of the family. For example, the relationship with Mr. Samsa revolves around his job and the money he earns. As we know, Gregor took on the job of travelling salesman in order to provide money for his family. What we learn from reading the story is that the family is in financial troubles as a result of the dad’s failing business venture. Is it really fair that Gregor has to sacrifice his social life in order to make up for his dad’s mistakes? This shallow relationship between the two characters is further highlighted when Gregor is transformed and can no longer support his family. As soon as his son is unable to help, the dad seems to accuse Gregor and no longer considers him useless to the family. Mrs. Samsa is a weak, sick, lady who does not seem to play a big role in the family (other than the role of the sick who everyone cares for). Gregor is often out on business trips and it is therefore hard to imagine what their relationship was like. However, the fact that she proposes to leave the furniture in Gregor’s room (which is what Gregor wants) shows that there is some kind of mystical understanding and connection between both of them. Gregor’s relationship with Grete, in comparison to the others, seems to have several sides. On one hand, it seems that she is the closest to him. For example, she feeds him his preferred food and discovers that, now that he is transformed, he prefers junk. Noting this, she feeds him a platter of junk food every day. On the other hand, she is the one who forces her mother to take out all of Gregor’s furniture, showing that perhaps she doesn’t understand her brother that well.
Comment on Faith's : "Our modern technological society crushes the humanity from a person. Discuss in relation to The Metamorphosis."
Faith, I agree completely with what you are saying about how Gregor, or real life men and women for that matter, are affected by their jobs. I also think it is important to note that Gregor does not enjoy his profession - a common scenario in our present day world. I especially like the use of the word 'enslaved' to describe the relatioship between Gregor and his job. However, I believe there are more factors that should be taken into account when it comes to the effect society has on an individual. The reaction, for one, is important to note. In our era, people are strongly judged by their looks. I believe that Kafka tried to illustrate this through the reactions of the audience. However, one important factor which you briefly mentioned, is the importance of money in both our society and the story. Basically, the reason for the enourmous transformation in the family is caused by the abrupt removal of the breadwinner. I believe Kafka purposefully added the element of job oppression and poor family bonding, in order to highlight how ridiculous money makes our society look...we deem it more important to go out and work hard in order to provide money for our family, rather than actually spending time with them. And perhaps, in a money-oriented society like ours, we have no choice but to prioritize earning money. What I ask myself though, is whether all of these factors really 'crush the humanity out of people'? In order to answer this question, we have to know what humanity really is, don't you agree? And if jobs, money, hard work, education, etc... are part of our daily lives; then is that not what defines us... what makes us human? In other words,(maybe it is better to phrase it like this), is what we want to do in life that makes us human?
The real metamorphosis is what happens to his family, not what happens to Gregor.
I think that this has a certain truth to it. At the beginning we are faced with a peculiar occurrence. The main character introduced to us in the story has just been transformed into a large bug. The initial reaction of Gregor’s mother, is for her to faint, and of his fathers, is for him to try and shoo him away with a stick and hissing noises. We recognize that this is something strange just from reading about it, but from the actions of his parents, it is emphasized. There is a strong theme of change throughout the book and this change is, on the surface, very much centered around Gregor, but when we look deeper, we start to realize that his is the one that has been changed physically, but the rest of his family are the ones that have been changed emotionally, without wanting to, the family has been transformed also. Gregor was the bread winner. He was the family member that brought home all the money and supported the rest of the family. Gregor supporting his family is where his value and importance rooted from, which meant that when he was summoned to his room, he had no more significance in the family, he was being completely ignored. It was Gregor’s transformations that transformed his family. Before, when he was bringing in the money, to pay off his father’s debt, he was merely tolerated and taken for granted, it got to a point when his family was just leeching off of him, and they were a burden to him, but he would never complain. When his transformation happened, his family started to see him as a burden, and even worse, an unwanted and unacceptable burden that wouldn’t be tolerated any longer. This made it seem as though they had been so generous allowing their son to stay at home. The family soon became ashamed of Gregor and this is when the real transformation happened. The family that Gregor would have been depending on, to help him through this strange time and to help him get better was leaving alone, just how they had always done before. The final transformation is the sigh of relief that the whole family breathes when Gregor dies, and along with him, his large, ‘dirty’ shell.
This is the story of the rejection of an individual’s appeals for love in the modern world.
Gregor is very much rejected by his family after he is turned into a bug. He was very close with his sister and she showed him much love and affection before his transformation. This may have been one of the few things that he appreciated and felt appreciated over. Even before his transformation we can see signs of him appealing for love. For example the picture of the lady in the fur coat. It is very much all ‘hopes’ that his family would love him even after the transformation, when leaving his room for the first time when the clerk was at his house, he wanted to a) prove to the clerk that he was a worthy employee and that he wasn’t involved in any of the dodgy business that he had questioned about and b) perhaps he wanted to test whether his family would love him through the pain that the transformation had caused him. I think that at the end of the book, we can imagine the pain that the family was put through and maybe understand why they may feel relieved, but we also begin to forget the pain the Gregor is going through, his pain is first hand and pure, it is not clouded by anything, his life has been turned upside down, and inside out, and there is nothing he can do about it, no help he can get for it. I fully understand why he wanted to come out from his room; it was an appeal for love from his family and maybe even an appeal for emotion from the chief clerk. As a member of a family which is for the most part functional, not always appreciative, but fairly functional, it would seem normal for Gregor to expect some sort of understanding from his immediate family, but the reactions were the opposite. Later on, he tried with his sister but she just wants to push him further away, because of him new appearance. This kind of reaction is common with people who are met with a dilemma of whether to help a sick person who disgusts you to some effect or just let them be, and in the case of “Metamorphosis,” they begin to help him, by cleaning his room and giving him food and water through the door, but slowly these actions stop and Gregor gets nothing but bad looks, violence, abuse and essentially hurt. And actually, the mother and sister thought that they would be helping and showing that they cared for Gregor by cleaning his room, but it hurt him, because they were close enough for him to make some kind of effort, but it was also clear to him that they didn’t want to, as if they were doing it out of duty and reluctantly. The alienation started at the moment of the transformation, with his bedroom door being locked. Within your own family there is normally enough respect for privacy but also trust that you shouldn’t have to lock your door, but Gregor’s door being locked begun his alienation. Perhaps at this time it was not purposeful and didn’t seem so significant, but soon Gregor started to become more and more alienated. I can see that maybe, Gregor’s death at the end was a symbol of a new and better life for him, maybe his appeals for love had been answered, and that when we was really truly gone, his family would miss him a little more.
Gregor starts out turning into a vermin which is the climax of the book and what the story revolves around even though it is at the beginning. After becoming a vermin, Gregor can’t seem to do what he normally does every day such as get to work on time as he can barely get out of bed or leave his room. He starts out struggling and adjusting with what he has become and what to do though he thinks not of himself; but of how he cannot perform his daily tasks. Gregor also begins to lose his voice which leaves his family and his boss wondering as his mother frantically exclaimed that “that was an animal’s voice.” This is when Gregor realized his words were now unintelligible to humans. Gregor already accepted his fate in being dehumanized once he found out he was a vermin and could not do the things he used to. This is supported when his family and the Chief Clerk were concerned, Gregor thought to himself; “[feeling] once more drawn into the circle of humanity.” (19) Such simple acts of concern anyone could have had if one does not come out of their room, was seen as enormous by Gregor in his new state showing that being human again would mean the world to him. When Gregor showed himself, the reactions were enough to express what they all felt- shock and fear of Gregor like anyone would fear a certain type of animal. His mother shrieked, his father wept and Gregor’s employer was slowly trying to leave their home. These are typical reactions of what people do when they come across animals they are afraid of no matter what kind. His relationship with his family changed after Gregor turned into a vermin because they no longer treated him like a son but like an unwanted thing they could not get rid of. They also began referring to him as “it.” Calling him “it” made it seem as though he was not part of the family, let alone human anymore. The family kept him in his room and brought him food there and Grete, his once adoring sister, no longer cared and now thought of him as a burden in their lives. This is ironic because Gregor was the only one sustaining them as a family and now that he was not doing anything and looked like a vermin; they did not want anything to do with him leaving him feeling worthless and inhuman.
A martyr is regarded as someone who endures great suffering and Gregor is a martyr because of this. He doesn't like his job because as a traveling salesman. There is no time to make close friends or establish deep relationships but Gregor perseveres because of his parents' debt which he feels is his obligation to pay. Therefore Gregor sacrifices his social life for his family plus every penny earned for their benefit yet later in the book we discover out that the debt has already been paid and Gregor's family was just living off his earnings. He also saves up extra money for his sister Grete so she can play the violin at the conservatory. Throughout the book Gregor is seen as selfless as he is always thinking of others before himself; traits of a true Martyr. An example of this is at the very beginning of the story where Gregor has been transformed into a vermin and instead of worrying about himself and what has happened to him, he worries about getting to work on time. It seems really strange for anyone to be thinking about work at a time like that but Gregor, being the martyr he is, has no time for himself even when he is about to breathe his last breath. Gregor thinks about his family with "affection and love" no matter how much suffering they had caused him.
People react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
Though it is always taught that people should not judge other people by their appearance, it is inevitable for humans to ignore the exterior at all times and this is truly the case in The Metamorphosis. Gregor turns into a vermin. If any human turned into some sort of vermin, almost everyone’s reactions would be the same; fear, horror and shock just to mention a few. Humans are naturally judgmental so if something so unbelievable and inconceivable happened; that person would probably be observed closely by scientists in a lab and kept away from society. Being different is almost always a bad thing in society which is wrong because everyone should be different and should be themselves no matter how hard it may be to look at that person. Gregor learns the hard way that if someone changes so drastically in appearance, they may no longer be regarded as the person they once were. Gregor was a dedicated employee plus a generous and loving son and brother but all this changed after he turned into a vermin. This resulted into horrible treatment, isolation and general irritableness on his family’s part. Though it may be understandable for Gregor’s family to have been frightened, it was unfair of them to leave him to die instead of fighting to find a way to help their only son who sacrificed and did so much for them. They should have sought ways to help him but instead, they abandoned him and treated him like dirt. I think Kafka portrayed the flaws in society and how much being so different can hurt a person and how following societal rules and blending in is what keeps one from becoming alienated and eventually dying alone. It is very unfortunate if that is the way the world works; forgetting people’s inner beauty and inner goodness just by focusing on their not so good looking exterior.
Response to Alishia's Post: "This is the story of the rejection of an individual’s appeals for love in the modern world."
I agree with Alishia's post for the most part especially the part about Gregor maybe being missed a little more after he longed so much for love and affection from the people in his life and of course; appreciation. It's sad that Grete changes in her affectionate behavior towards her brother but their relationship was great before and Gregor really valued it as it was the only deep connection he had with anyone in his life. :( It is horrible what Gregor's family was going through but I disagree with the way they treated him because he was selfless his whole life and for once, they should have tried to be selfless and think about his pain and what he was going through because they weren't the ones who were vermin, Gregor was the one who was really suffering. I also agree wholeheartedly with your point about their reluctance in caring for Gregor; they did it because they felt they had to and not out of the goodness of their heart or because they wanted to which was wrong because they are family and I think family is supposed to really care so somehow you wonder why they do not get over it and help Gregor. Gregor's alienation made The Metamorphosis really sad because no one would want to be treated like that. That is why Gregor yearned for love so much and instead all he got was rejection so you are right; maybe his death would be the beginning of all the affection he rightfully deserved.
Examine the office manager’s tactics as he attempts to get Gregor out of his room. Apply the adage, “Getting what you ask for and not wanting what you get” to the managers actions.(Chapter 1)
The manager’s tactics actually show something very important about the whole story; that perhaps Gregor could be more himself when he was at the factory than when he was at home. When he was at home, he was always just being used for money for this, money for that. Perhaps Gregor’s real nature is a work horse, and that his work was the most important and meaningful thing to him. I wonder is this is because o the duty that the felt towards him family, to help them, and help his father repay the debt, which we find he was actually faking. Or whether Gregor really just liked being away from that house, we know for certain that the environment wasn’t every nice or comfortable at work and he was always being teased by his co-workers. But it is only when the chief clerk suggests that there had been some mal-practice in Gregor’s work, he feels that he needs to come out. The adage, “getting what you ask for, and not wanting what you get” can mimic this turn of events. The family and the clerk are so eager for him so open the door and come out, but when he does, I’m sure that they are all wishing that he’d never come out and that they wouldn’t have to deal with this, neither physically nor emotionally. The manager wanted Gregor o come out so badly, we don’t know if it was just curiosity or that he actually wanted to catch him out for being guilty, but he pushed and pushed and in the end he found the right button, semi accusing Gregor of being a cheat or a fraud made him come out, conceivably, he may have wanted to prove that he was still the same character and still had the same morals, but just, as they were about to find out, in a different body. Going back to the adage, it is also symbolic of the book, sometimes we want something so much, that when we get it, we don’t like it or want to trade back. Perhaps because Gregor was so sad, he was wishing that some things in his life would change a little, and maybe this is what he got, maybe this was his large change, to be transformed, and then after he ‘got what he asked for’ he was in the long and never ending stage of ‘not wanting what you get.’
Comments on Marius's post: Identify two symptoms of Gregor’s alienation of his family.
I think that his shallow relationship is a very important symptom too, because it is also a little like the superficial relationship that he may feel that he has with the picture of the woman in the fur coat. He does not seem such an emotionally mature person, so maybe it is that he can keep a deep relationship going, but this is also why I think that it was so easy for the alienation to happen to him. He may have seemed oblivious to it at first because he may have not seen the difference, untill his sister turned on him, and I think that that is when it hit home. Furthermore, I think another significant symptom could be that, it was the clerk who knew how to get him to come out of the room the best, this shows just like Marius was saying, that the factory took up a lot of time and that perhaps his time was limited at home, thus the reason for the door being locked.
Contrast the woman in fun with Grete The woman in the fur is a large symbol of Gregor wanting more in his life. It’s as if he just needed a friend to sometimes turn to, and to sometimes remind him that there is more to his life than working in a factory. The woman in the fur is also seen as a sex symbol and perhaps sometimes depresses Gregor, because it reminds him of something this he has never been able to sustain himself, meaning that he hasn’t been able to have a relationship on any level with a woman, except for his sister. Maybe this is why he finds it so comforting to be around his sister, they are two very different characters, because he will not see his sister in that light at all but she is there to care for him, because it is a different kind of caring. Grete keeps loving and caring for Gregor all through his pain, but sometimes we can’t see it, because she is doing it in a personal way that is inside her head. She is trying to keep the memories of her brother alive, and that might mean sometimes that she can’t stand to look at him like that, in his bug/creature form because it makes her sad to know that he is really lost, and she is actually the one that make the first step in trying to make the family accept that the human Gregor will never return. Whereas, the lady in the fur is there in his mind and imagination because although she has no feelings for Gregor or any feelings at all, she is, in a way, just as much there as a fantasy as his sister is there for real comfort. Gregor was a fairly poor man, in emotions and love. The largest difference between the two is that Gregor may have seen the woman in the fur as more reliable because she never moved and would never leave, he would never have to beg her for love or attention. I also don’t think this is crazy, I think that it is just a further bit that Kafka shows us of Gregor’s character.
I agree with you saying that one of the reasons is because he sacrifices his social life for him family. This is something that can be looked upon very well. At the beginning i didn't know what was a Martyr, but now I understand, I think that Gregor is a true Martyr, it takes a very good person, and a very pure person with a big heart to sacrifice the way he has, and all the time, he never knew that he was being kind of fooled by his parents. But from the character we see, I think he ever wouldn't have minded or been mad at them.
Family is very important, and they should always support the other ones who need help, for example in my family and in my culture it is very important that you do all that you can, and that you don't let one person suffer if you can help it. Gregor has a bad situation but the family doesn't really do anything to help him, and actually I can see that they do the opposite. They treat him liek he is not part of the family, even if he doesn't look them anymore, they still have memories, and in the beginnign you can still see that his sister Grete still wants to keep those memories and some of her actions are okay, like her not wanting to see him hurting because she is doing them for a pure reason, but Mr & Mrs Samsa, their actions are very hurtful to Gregor. The treat him like such an outsider and are ashamed of him, when really, they should be ashamed of themselves for treating someone who loved them, and someone that did so much for them, treating them so badly and with no respect. I think that Gregor deserves a lot of respect because he has put a lot of effort into keeping the family going. And if they cannot see that, or appreciate that, then they are vermine themselves, they do not deserve the help that he previously gave. Taking someone for granted is almost a sin to me, you should never use someone, because one day they may be gone, and this is exactly what happened in "Metamorphosis."
The families behavior disgusts me, and I think that, it is far worse than Gregor being a vermin. There is a saying 'takes one to know one' and if they were judging him for his new insides as well as outsides, they must have something nasty in themselves.
People act to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
This is one of my favourite sayings. People judge too much by what they see, often people want to know someone if they are good looking and they assume that 'good looking' only mean from the outside. I think that someone can be good looking- inside. The transformation of Gregor shows this so much, that people who used to respect him, like the clerk, 5 minutes before realising the transformation, the clerk was talking about knowing that Gregor was a good person and that he wouldn't do something bad at the factory, but then as soon as he sees Gregor in the form of a vermin, his mind is completely changed, he is actually scared and can't say anything. This has been seen many times, I have noticed things like this, when someone is not attractive people don't take time for them, but if they get a makeover or put some effort people are not busy all of a sudden. I think that this is very bad. I can't say that i wouldnt be afraid of Gregor, or a litlte bit find it gross, but i would try and see his real, old personality, because that is what matters most. I think that Gregor was trying to show that to his family, but they were too proud to notice or try make an effort.
One problem that we face in the world is that, people want to jump so fast to make a first impression of a person, they want to know immediately what someone is like, so they don't give time to get to know the inside, this is why 'People act to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside.' And why, the family of Gregor could not give him a second chance in his new life.
Analyze the symbolism of the weather. How is weather used to intensify mood?
ReplyDeleteOn the first page of the story, when Gregor first awakens to discover that he has transformed in to an enormous bug, it’s raining outside. Rain in this context could symbolize new beginnings; when it rains everything is washed away and cleansed. Gregor, in a sense, has just started his life again; his old life has been washed away. The rain gives a sleepy dreamy atmosphere; when it’s raining outside and you just wake up people generally want to go back to sleep because it’s so calm and the world appears to be still. This contradicts Gregor’s situation. He’s extremely calm for being turned into a bug.
On page 31 it reads ‘in which the gray sky and the gray earth blended.’ This passage is from several days after his metamorphosis. It insinuates that the area in which Gregor lives is always gray. Gray is a bleak color that is used when there’s no more hope and they world is dull and sad. At this point Gregor is loosing his vision so he can no longer see the outside world, thus adding to his isolation. The insistent gray weather reveals Gregor’s sadness and isolation.
On the last page of the story, page 52, the weather is pleasant and sunny as the family decides to go to the countryside. The sunny weather also symbolizes new beginnings; spring is when the sun comes out and new animals are born and the trees and flowers bloom. Also the sunny bright weather gives a feeling of happiness and relief. You know from the weather that they have a bright future ahead of them. The weather gives the reader a conclusion to the story even though we are never told what happens after.
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ReplyDeleteExamine the use of the number three in the novel.
ReplyDeleteThe book is in three parts as is an actual metamorphosis in insects. In the first chapter Gregor awakens to find that he has been turned into a bug; everything is new to him as if he is the larva. He is like a child because he doesn’t know how to move himself, talk or open doors. His family responds to his change by locking him in his room and they slowly begin their change. So both the family and Gregor are new to him being turned into an insect.
In the second chapter Gregor is settling down and starting to become accustomed to being fed and having his room cleaned. His family has basically come to terms with his change although not completely because they cannot stand to see him. By the end of this chapter Gregor has discovered that he can walk on walls, doesn’t like to eat fresh food, can use his antennae to find his way around the room and is losing his eyesight. The family realizes that they don’t have enough money to support themselves and so decide to get jobs. These jobs lead to their embitterment and the father taking the position of authority in the house, which appears to turn him cold. Gregor is stuck in his house as if he’s in his cocoon.
In the final and third chapter of the book the family has to bring boarders to their house because they need more money to support themselves. Gregor is presumed to be slowly dying. The night after sneaking out of his room to listen to his sister play the violin he dies. This releases his family from their responsibility of taking care of him. In the end it’s his family that turns into the bug and blooms.
It’s also noteworthy that the story takes place in only three rooms; the living room, Gregor’s room and Grete’s room and there are three members of his family. In Christianity the number three has to do with the Holy Spirit, the father and the son but I can find no connection to the story.
The real metamorphosis is what happens to his family, not what happens to Gregor. Comment.
ReplyDeleteGregor may have magically transformed into an enormous bug but his thoughts remain the same. He constantly thinks of his responsibility of supporting his family while the rest of his family change in both appearance and personality. The family begins to eat and drink less and begin to work. This physical exertion causes them to become fatigued and tired looking. They also appear to become bitter towards Gregor; by the end of the tale even his sister has stopped caring for him as much as she did before.
Gregor continues to love his sister after his transformation however his sister still cannot stand to look at him after a month of him being a bug and this leads to a decline in her caring for him. This is the biggest tragedy in the story because Gregor had intended to send her to music school before he turned into an insect. One night when she’s playing the violin for the people staying at their house Gregor comes out of his room to try and listen to her better when he is shooed back into his room.
His family appears to not care for him as much as they once did, mostly because of the misery his transformation has brought on the family; they don’t have as much money as they used to which leads them to getting jobs and boarders. Gregor has stayed true to his family in his thoughts and actions; he takes them into consideration throughout the novel but his family changes gradually. They become embittered which brings out the worst in their personalities, but comes across as them changing completely.
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ReplyDeleteDiscuss the implications of the title
ReplyDeleteIn the dictionary metamorphosis is defined as ‘(in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages’ and ‘a transformation as if by magic or sorcery in stories or a marked change in appearance, character, condition or function.’ This implies that the story will be about either an amphibian or an insect, upon the reading the story it is apparent that Gregor is transformed into an insect. Kafka’s style of writing describes situations that involve alienation, anxiety, isolation and distortion. When you consider Kafka’s style and you read the title its understandable that there is going to be some dramatic change in a person, probably not a change in personality or habit, but a change in physical appearance which will somehow lead them to discovering how lonely the world really is.
The title is not simply ‘Metamorphosis’ it’s ‘The Metamorphosis.’ The use of ‘the’ says that this is a one time special event that never happens, if it had simply been called ‘metamorphosis’ it could have been a gradual change in a person, either into an insect or amphibian or a change in personality. ‘The’ makes it seem sudden and unexpected. So, considering Kafka’s manner of writing and the title of the book, it can be deduced that the story will be about the sudden change of someone or something into an amphibian or insect and by transforming they will realize how lonely and distant they are from either their family, which mirrors Kafka’s relation to his family, or the world.
People react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
ReplyDeleteHow often have you heard the phrase “it’s not about what’s on the outside, it’s about what’s on the inside”? How often are you truly curious about what’s on the inside without having been attracted by the outside? The question I ask myself is: Is a person not defined by both his inside and his outside?
If your answer is yes, then think about the use - the meaning - of the societal rule.
Personally, I believe the moral expectation is there to help us separate ourselves from our animalistic nature; to remind us that we are a superior race and that we should care about what is moral – what is right. I believe ethics are an artificial illusion, a wall that separates us from the truth. In Kafka’s famous novel, “The Metamorphosis”, we find ourselves in a setting where this societal wall does not exist… perhaps we are confronted to our true nature. In the first line of the story, Gregor Samsa finds himself “transformed … into an enormous bug”. Having read the story, we know how Gregor’s family is going to react regarding the transformation. Personally, I believe everyone would be disgusted. That is, everyone would look at the outside.
After having struggled to unlock his door, Gregor finally shows himself to the audience awaiting him outside his room, and the reactions are as follows: the chief clerk “stepped slowly backward as if driven away by some invisible force” (20), Mrs. Samsa “collapsed in the midst of her petticoat … her face completely lost view and her on her chest” (20), and Mr. Samsa “shaded his eyes with his hands and wept” (20). The reactions towards Gregor’s transformation clearly demonstrate how little respect is given to his inside (which is the same as when he was human). Although we do feel sorry for Gregor as he is confronted with expressions of horror, we cannot help but agree with the fact that the vermin-like image of Gregor is repulsive and shocking.
In opposition to the way we act, I believe it is true that “people react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside”. However, I think that unconsciously, we know that a person is made up of two parts: the outside and the inside. Our first impression/reaction of a person is therefore based on their exterior; but our true understanding of them is based on their inside.
This was posted by Marius (im just not sure how to put my name)
Why is Gregor a martyr?
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Encarta dictionary, a martyr is defined as “somebody who makes sacrifices or suffers greatly in order to advance a cause or principle”. It can therefore be argued that Gregor is a martyr for three reasons.
Gregor’s first act of martyrdom is working as a travelling salesman in order to service his father’s debt. Although he hates his job for several reasons, Gregor continues to work hard every day of the week in order to pay off the debt his dad owes his boss… the reason for which is actually unknown to Gregor. On page 15, Gregor asks himself “Why he is the only one condemned to work for a firm, where people immediately conceived the greatest suspicions at the smallest sign of negligence?” The first important part of the quote is the description of the corporate culture that seems to dominate the business. According to Gregor’s description, the firm is made up of people who not only never miss a day at work, and the management seems to have little trust in its workers – they keep a close eye on every single salesman. The fact that Gregor’s dad owes money to the boss of such a company raises questions about the origin of the debt. Could it be that he once worked for the company (this would explain his dominant character)? Secondly it is important to notice the importance of the word ‘condemned’. According to the definition of the word martyr, a martyr is someone who makes sacrifices willingly for a good cause. However, the fact that Gregor feels condemned (or is condemned) to work there might is contradictive to the nature of martyrdom. Also, Gregor has the intention of working there, and bearing the torture, for as long as the debt isn’t recovered. Ironically though, his father knows the debt has been serviced but decides to continue playing the game in order for the family to have a stable income. Whether Gregor exhibits enough characteristics of a martyr is a personal decision to make. I personally believe he isn’t because he is forced to work; he does not suffer willingly.
The second act of martyrdom is his death towards the end of the story. After hearing his sister state “If it were Gregor, he would long since have realized that it’s impossible for people to live side by side with an animal like that, and would have gone away of his own free will”, Gregor returns to his room where he will die during the night. In this case, I believe we can call Gregor a martyr because the pain of going back inside his dark room and deciding to die is a personal decision he makes. However, the fact that he dies seems to be more of a relief than suffering. In fact, it seems like dying eases the suffering of living. Therefore, comparing this to the definition, it could be argued that Gregor is helping himself... and it is not an act of martyrdom.
The final reason for which Gregor might be called a martyr is the suffering inflicted upon him through his transformation. The fact that he turns into a bug is already an important part of the suffering. However, what is more painful to Gregor is seeing the pain he inflicts upon his relatives. He notices the change that takes place in the family, the obligations that each of the members has to take up in order to keep the family afloat, and the character transformation that is occurring. Personally, I believe that Gregor’s life is the example that fits best with the definition of a martyr. Although it could be argued that the suffering is forced upon him, examples such as hiding under the couch to spare his relatives the horror suggest that it is not entirely forced upon him – that there is a degree of willingness in the psychological torture.
The answer to whether Gregor is a martyr is entirely dependent on which part of the suffering you consider the most important. Personally, I would say that Gregor is a martyr because in most cases, he undergoes pain in order to spare his family.
Why is Gregor a martyr?
ReplyDeleteGregor went through constant suffering, discomfort, and alienation in order to provide for his family and settle the amount of debt his father had. He had spent his whole career working as a travelling salesman. The job forced him to eat food that he disliked and prevented him from maintaining relationships with other people which further alienated him from not only his family, but also from society. Despite the shortcomings of his job, Gregor continued to work so that he could pay the debt that his father owed, and saved some money to send his sister Grete to music school. Even after his transformation, Gregor seems to sympathize for his family and worry about the anxiety and stress he was making them go through because of his metamorphosis. Gregor was concerned about who would provide and how the family would cope with his absence. Despite his state, Gregor still attempted to make things right with his family by trying to talk to them, which they refused to do, and he still cared for his father even after he found out that he had paid off the debt but his father was keeping the money away from him.
Explain how Mrs.Samsa and Grete’s attempts to remove furniture from Gregor’s room make him feel
ReplyDeleteWhen Grete and Mrs.Samsa attempt to remove the furniture from Gregor’s room, Gregor is not happy with their decision and tries to stop them. The furniture in his room is symbolic of parts of his old human life being taken away from him. The picture of the woman on his wall symbolizes the relationships with the opposite sex that he was unable to maintain due to his stressful and time consuming job. The glass is also a symbol of what separates Gregor from females. Gregor’s act of jumping on the picture while his mother and sister are taking it out, illustrate how upset and angry he was at their attempt. After his transformation, Gregor longs for the life that he had hated when he was human. Gregor frequently looks through his window to the outside world and earns to be back in it.
Contrast the woman in fur with Grete
ReplyDeleteThe woman in fur is depicted to be a sex symbol and also a symbol of the relationship that Gregor has wanted but was unable to maintain with the opposite sex. The fur coat enhances her sexuality. Gregor did not always have a good relationship with the opposite sex. But with the exception of a few women he met on the road.
Grete is the innocent sister of Gregor that he has always maintained a good brother sister relationship with until his transformation. Grete cared for Gregor at the beginning of his metamorphosis until she got her job and stopped caring for him.
This is the story of the rejection of an individual's appeals for love in the modern world. Comment.
ReplyDeleteThis really is a story of the rejection of Gregor's appeals for love, acceptance, companionship, family and support in the modern world. His job gave him no time at all for long lasting friendships or relationships. His family alienated him, and used him. He was enslaved by his job, a job he didn’t even like, a job that stressed him out and only brought him frustration, but a job he had to do in order to support his dysfunctional family. As a human being, Gregor tried reaching out to his family but his work schedule did not allow any time for his family or any friends. His appeal for love here was rejected by his job and lack of free time from it. After turning into a bug, we see time and time again, Gregor trying to reach out to his family. On Page 21, we see him open the door to his locked room to let in his family and show them what he had become. He wanted to show to his chief Clark that he wasn’t a lazy employee. Perhaps he hoped, perhaps he expected his family would love him enough to accept his transformation, that’s why he was so calm, but his good intentions were utterly misread, the chief Clark ran off screaming and terrified at Gregor’s sight. His mother fainted, his father became hostile, and all in all, Gregor was locked up in his room, alienated from the rest of his family, cut off from their love because of what he had become. Moments when he would leave the room, he was only to be aggressively harassed back into it, getting injured in the process even though he would try to communicate to them that he meant no harm and just wanted to be part of them again. He was treated like a vermin by his own family and finally died alone in his dark room, from the injuries he got from his own father, his appeal for love to the modern world rejected.
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ReplyDeleteAnalyze the statement “…they thought it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband…It was like confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions…” Discuss the plans Mr. and Mrs. Samsa has for Grete and whether or not they will transfer their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. (Chapter 3)
ReplyDeleteThe Samsas plan on finding Grete a husband. By “good” husband, I have the feeling they mean a husband from a well to do family, a husband, who through Grete can support them just like Gregor did. Their dreams and good intentions revolve around finding someone new to enslave with the duty of looking after them for nothing in return. They are planning on transferring their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. As soon as she is ready, which they are planning on being soon, they are going to marry her off, then live off her and her family for the rest of their lives, just like they did with Gregor. They used him; they lived off him unnecessarily when they were all physically capable of making money for themselves. They burdened him with the task of looking after them and they are planning to do the same with Grete. They will enslave Grete just like they did Gregor and bind her with the guilt of family duty. To them work and money are important and they value it more than they do family relationship and support. They see their children as investments that must take care of them later. And thus is Grete fate not that Gregor is gone.
Our modern technological society crushes the humanity from a person. Discuss in relation to The Metamorphosis.
ReplyDeleteFranz Kafka, author of The Metamorphosis portrayed this statement through his character Gregor Samsa literally by having him transform into an inhuman creature. Modern technological society crushed the humanity out of Gregor and turned him into a vermin. We see on page 1 after Gregor discovers his metamorphosis he starts complaining about his job, he has chosen a strenuous profession, he travels day in and day out, he has to worry about train connections and bad meals at irregular hours, and irregular human contact that never lasts, never becomes a friendship or relationship. Gregor was the epitome of a modern man in a modern technological society and he ended up inhuman after all the humanity was crushed out of him. He was enslaved and overworked and alienated and isolated, he lost his personal identity. He lived for his job, not for his own fulfillment. He was burdened by the duty of looking after his lazy family. He lived in a world where work and money were everything. No time for fun, family of friends. Complete loss of the basics of humanity. He ended up dying alone, in a dark room, a vermin, alienated from his family, with no way of ever getting a job in his current state. The modern technological society he lived and worked for had crushed the humanity from him. He was now a bug.
Comment on Rahama and Marius’ post on “Why is Gregor a martyr?”
ReplyDeleteYou both have excellent points in supporting this and I agree completely, however allow me to play devil’s advocate, let’s say we looked at this book as Kafka trying to portray a state of existentialism where individuals are responsible for the decisions they make and have complete freedom over what to choose. Then one would say that Gregor made his choice, he could have chosen to not take that stressful job, he could have chosen to not take on the burden of paying back someone else’s debt, he could have chosen to spend more time with his family, he had that freedom, but he chose to work to pay back his father’s debt, and with this he chose to travel, he chose the stress, he chose the alienation, yes, he hated it all, but why didn’t he just stop, why didn’t he choose a better life for himself, if he had, all this would have been avoided, he would have been happier, he wouldn’t have become a martyr, he wouldn’t have even died under such horrendous circumstances. Existentialists believe in the individual, and how one has to face the consequences of his individual choices. Gregor was free to make an individual choice but because of love for his family he chose to carry their burden, completely sacrificing his own happiness and feelings. To some this might be looked at as martyrdom but to existentialists this is an individual not embracing his freedom and making bad choices.
Response to faith's comment on: Analyze the statement “…they thought it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband…It was like confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions…” Discuss the plans Mr. and Mrs. Samsa has for Grete and whether or not they will transfer their dependence on and control of Gregor to Grete. (Chapter 3)
ReplyDeleteAlthough the points you made were valid, don't you think it's possible that her parents simply meant for their daughter to find a husband that would love Grete and help her get passed the nightmare that they had all been through. Mr.Samsa and Mrs.Samsa don't need to be taken care of anymore at this point because they have both gone back to working and are earning salaries. Beside that, Mr.Samsa has the money that he was keeping hidden which Gregor thought he was paying his debt for. Also, it has almost always been a tradition or a way of life for women to marry as soon as they reach a certain age. The Samsa family seems to be an old-fashioned family, so it is very possible for them to practice these traditions In this case, Grete has reached that age, and thus is able to get married, move on with her life, and as stated in the book, take her part in the society.
How does this work reflect the struggles of Kafka’s own life?
ReplyDeleteTo some extent, Kafka’s own life is reflected in The Metamorphosis. The Metamorphosis opens with Gregor transformed into a vermin. Early on, Gregor’s dreary work as a salesman and his apathy towards it is described to the reader. Like Gregor, Kafka himself worked a dull job at an insurance office. However, Kafka wanted to pursue literature, and therefore, like Gregor, did not enjoy his job and did it out of mere necessity. Furthermore, Kafka studied law, and pursued this work, because his father approved of it. Similarly, Gregor Samsa works as a travelling salesman for his father- to pay of his father’s debt. Kafka, like the character of Gregor Samsa, also lived with his parents (until he was thirty three).
In The Metamorphosis Kafka portrays the Samsa family as dysfunctional and broken. Mr. Samsa is a domineering father, subjugating his own son. Gregor worked to pay off his father’s debt, yet it was already paid off. His father merely used him and viewed him as a source of income rather than his son. The tensions described and implied between Mr. Samsa and Gregor parallel Kafka's own strained relationship with is father. Mr. Samsa attacks Gregor with apples, permanently hurting him, and this reflects the violent manner of Kafka’s own father. Kafka suffered extreme punishments from his overbearing father. The poor and strained relations between Kafka and his father, led to lifelong guilt, anxiety and lack of self-confidence. As Gregor begins to contemplate the implications of his transformation, he is overridden with shame and guilt (as he is no longer able to provide for his family). However, Gregor’s poor relations are not just between him and his father. For example, Gregor is attached to the picture hanging in his room, implying he does not form authentic relationships. The picture and his attachment to it symbolizes his alienation and strained relationships- particularly with women. This reflects on Kafka’s own insecurities with women. He called off numerous engagements, tortured by self doubt.
As the story progresses, Gregor’s health deteriorates- covered in dust, he stops eating, his father has permanently caused him physical damage. Kafka himself had numerous health problems, suffering from fatigue, chronic headaches and insomnia. In The Metamorphosis Gregor’s hunger is no longer for food but for love and attention from his family, emphasizing his alienation from them. Like Gregor Samsa, Kafka was also very isolated. Gregor Samsa forms physical barriers between himself and his family, for example, by locking his door. Similarly, Kafka lived in self-imposed isolation form his three younger sisters. However Kafka did have a “favorite” sister, Ottla – the relationship between Gregor and Grete perhaps reflects the relationship between Kafka and Ottla. Not only was Kafka isolated from his family, but also, in society, as a member of Prague’s Jewish yet German speaking minority.
Describe how Gregor is gradually dehumanized?
ReplyDeleteGregor awakes to find he has transformed into a monstrous vermin. He has lost his physical humanity and identity however he still possesses human thought and emotion. For example, his primary concern is time and how to get to work. Hence, despite his physical appearance, he remains human inside. However, as he attempts to talk to his parents and the chief clerk, Gregor eventually realize his voice in intangible. This further dehumanizes him- his inability to communicate with humans. In fact, at first, he himself can not recognize his own voice, suggesting he is still accustomed to his human voice, to his human self. His adaptation to his vermin voice, therefore, to some extent, strips him from his human identity. Similarly, Gregor initially, is unable to maneuver his body- he does not know how to. However, he eventually, becomes obsessed with crawling around his room and develops vermin mannerisms. A
After Gregor’s transformation, Grete, his sister, has the responsibility of feeding him. She offers him milk, his favorite beverage. Gregor however, despite enjoying it as human, dislikes milk as a vermin. He adapts a new taste for rotten food- rotten vegetables and moldy cheese. This also, further strips him of his human identity. Despite these initial transformations, Gregor still attempts to hold on to his human past. For example, he resists his sister’s decisions to remove the furniture from his room- the furniture becomes a symbol for Gregor’s humanity. Therefore, when it is removed, it is implied that Gregor is further dehumanized.
Gregor’s initial emotions are for his family. He is repressed by guilt and shame as he is no longer able to provide for them. His primary concerns are for his family, not for himself. He often presses himself up against his door, listening to the family’s conversations. This changes however, as the story goes on. Gregor becomes increasingly preoccupied with his vermin needs rather than his family. This further dehumanizes him. The family themselves are a part of Gregor’s increasing dehumanization. The family isolates Gregor, Grete being the only one who goes into his room, hence, contact with them diminishes. The lack of contact, with not only his family, but generally, humans dehumanizes him. Moreover, to begin with, Grete cares for Gregor. For example, she cleans Gregor’s room, removes the furniture to make more space for him. However, later on, as Grete grows tired of caring for Gregor, his room becomes a dumping ground. Gregor lays in the junk, dust collecting on him. This dirty depiction and imagery of Gregor and his room further dehumanizes him. In addition to that, in contrast to his obsession at the start, Gregor becomes no longer aware at the speed at which time passes.
Despite his dehumanization, Gregor is reminded of his human past as he hears Grete play the violin for the lodgers. He enjoys the sound of the music and this reinforces his human nature. Furthermore, Gregor’s final act is very humane; Gregor dies as a sacrifice for his family.
Characterize Grete by Gregor’s memories, her actions, and her thoughts
ReplyDeleteGrete is Gregor’s adoring and devoted sister. It seems the only strong relationship Gregor has, is with her. Grete’s first words of The Metamorphosis are “Gregor? Aren’t you well? Are you needing anything?” This introduces and depicts Grete’s genuine concern and love for Gregor. Once the family is aware of Gregor’s transformation, Grete is the one who takes on the responsibility of looking after him. Aware that Gregor’s favorite beverage is milk, she places some in a bowl for him. This act shows Grete knows Gregor- his likes and dislikes. Again, this implies her close relationship with him. Grete furthermore, initially, pays attention to Gregor’s actions and tries to help him. She notices he dislikes the milk, and brings him a variety of food to taste. Her character is polite; she knows Gregor would not eat in her presence, and hence, steps out. Later on, after cleaning, she places the chair in front of the window after “noticing twice that the chair was standing by the window”. Grete cares for Gregor’s well being, the way she would before his transformation. Overall, a kind-hearted and considerate character is portrayed.
Taking on this role as Gregor’s caretaker, Grete became “the expert” on Gregor and his needs. She is the only one who dares enter his room. It is stated, “Nobody except Grete would ever dare to enter a space in which Gregor on his own dominated the bare walls”. It suggests Grete has developed confidence. In addition, it implies she is willing to sacrifice for the family, perhaps, in the way Gregor did before the transformation. However, Grete begins to become increasingly protective toward the responsibility of taking care of Gregor. She begins to use Gregor’s transformation to show her responsibility. This shows perhaps, that no longer is she concerned about Gregor’s welfare but instead, is trying to prove herself helpful, indicating that she is somewhat selfish. Furthermore, Grete gains power as she cares for Gregor yet it can be argued that she abuses this power. She begins to decide who can visit him and what is to be done to his room. For example, when the decision is made to take out Gregor’s furniture, she is firm. Mrs. Samsa opposes it however Grete’s decision is final. This is the turning point. Grete did it to make room for Gregor however she stripped him of part of his humanity, which he did in fact want to hold onto. Despite the good intentions, she made the wrong decision. From then on, Grete’s relations with Gregor are increasingly strained. She can no longer stand the sight or smell of him, and stops cleaning his room. His room, in fact, becomes a dumping ground, a direct contrast to Grete’s insistence on removing the furniture. The one time she directly refers to him, for example, she threatens him, “‘Just wait Gregor!’… with raised fist and piercing glances.” Eventually, she no longer believes the vermin is her brother, referring to Gregor as “it”, demanding to get rid of “it”. Her caring, considerate character has been washed away by her brother’s transformation.
Response to N Wander
ReplyDeleteAnalyze the symbolism of the weather. How is weather used to intensify mood?
I agree with much of what is said. Gregor is unusually composed, and “melancholy”. The sound imagery of the “raindrops beating against the window gutter” intensifies Gregor’s sleepy and dazed demeanor. Kafka perhaps uses this imagery, therefore, to shock the reader by portraying an unresponsive Gregor, in a devastating situation. However, the gloomy weather at the beginning of The Metamorphosis also intensifies the absurd, depressing notion of Gregor turning into a vermin.
When Gregor finally opens the door, and reveals himself, it is stated,” Meanwhile it had become much brighter outside…” This gives insight to the character emotions. It perhaps, conveys and symbolizes Gregor’s relief and hope, in the moment, as he is finally able to communicate his problem to his parents. Furthermore, he feels liberated, once he can show the chief clerk that he was unable to get to work, and that he is serious about his job. In addition to that, Gregor, perhaps, feels that with his family aware of the situation, they can help him. However, it is also stated, that the rain continues to fall. This may symbolize the eventual fate of the unpromising situation, despite Gregor’s temporary relief.
The “gray sky” I agree, also suggests and highlights Gregor’s hopeless situation. It not only gives insight into the general situation, though, but also perhaps, symbolizes Gregor’s own despair.
Again I agree with N wander in that there is direct contrast between the weather at the beginning and at the end of The Metamorphosis. Dark, rainy and “dismal” weather introduces and epitomizes the unfortunate and horrific event. It, perhaps, also foreshadows the pain to come ahead. On the other hand, the sunny, bright weather depicts the end of this strife. The weather symbolizes a new beginning for the Samsa family. In addition to that, the “gray sky” also contrasts with the sun coming out. This perhaps depicts an end to Gregor’s own sorrow, and his meaningless life as a vermin.
Identify two symptoms of Gregor’s alienation of his family.
ReplyDeleteAlready before his transformation into a vermin, Gregor seemed like a man who was distant from society. However, alienation from society, though to some it may seem like the most ridiculous thing, is not so uncommon. What I believe is more bizarre in Gregor’s case, especially considering the fact that he is a man who lives with his parents, is the alienation from his family.
The first clear symptom of this alienation is the fact that Gregor locks his door whenever he sleeps at home: “But Gregor had not the slightest intention of opening the door; in fact, he was now glad he had formed the cautious habit, an offshoot of his business trips, of locking all his doors at night even at home.” On its’ own, the fact that Gregor does not seem able to distinguish between home and work (in terms of safety) is quite bizarre. In addition, the fact that he carries his travelling habit of locking doors clearly illustrates his alienation, how distant he is, from his family. In a bigger context, the fact that he locks his doors also suggests that his relationship with his relatives is very shallow. Perhaps this is due to his work which does not allow him to be home very often.
Another symptom already mentioned earlier which illustrates Gregor’s alienation from his family is the shallow relationships he has with each member of the family. For example, the relationship with Mr. Samsa revolves around his job and the money he earns. As we know, Gregor took on the job of travelling salesman in order to provide money for his family. What we learn from reading the story is that the family is in financial troubles as a result of the dad’s failing business venture. Is it really fair that Gregor has to sacrifice his social life in order to make up for his dad’s mistakes? This shallow relationship between the two characters is further highlighted when Gregor is transformed and can no longer support his family. As soon as his son is unable to help, the dad seems to accuse Gregor and no longer considers him useless to the family. Mrs. Samsa is a weak, sick, lady who does not seem to play a big role in the family (other than the role of the sick who everyone cares for). Gregor is often out on business trips and it is therefore hard to imagine what their relationship was like. However, the fact that she proposes to leave the furniture in Gregor’s room (which is what Gregor wants) shows that there is some kind of mystical understanding and connection between both of them. Gregor’s relationship with Grete, in comparison to the others, seems to have several sides. On one hand, it seems that she is the closest to him. For example, she feeds him his preferred food and discovers that, now that he is transformed, he prefers junk. Noting this, she feeds him a platter of junk food every day. On the other hand, she is the one who forces her mother to take out all of Gregor’s furniture, showing that perhaps she doesn’t understand her brother that well.
Comment on Faith's : "Our modern technological society crushes the humanity from a person. Discuss in relation to The Metamorphosis."
ReplyDeleteFaith, I agree completely with what you are saying about how Gregor, or real life men and women for that matter, are affected by their jobs. I also think it is important to note that Gregor does not enjoy his profession - a common scenario in our present day world. I especially like the use of the word 'enslaved' to describe the relatioship between Gregor and his job. However, I believe there are more factors that should be taken into account when it comes to the effect society has on an individual. The reaction, for one, is important to note. In our era, people are strongly judged by their looks. I believe that Kafka tried to illustrate this through the reactions of the audience. However, one important factor which you briefly mentioned, is the importance of money in both our society and the story. Basically, the reason for the enourmous transformation in the family is caused by the abrupt removal of the breadwinner. I believe Kafka purposefully added the element of job oppression and poor family bonding, in order to highlight how ridiculous money makes our society look...we deem it more important to go out and work hard in order to provide money for our family, rather than actually spending time with them. And perhaps, in a money-oriented society like ours, we have no choice but to prioritize earning money.
What I ask myself though, is whether all of these factors really 'crush the humanity out of people'? In order to answer this question, we have to know what humanity really is, don't you agree? And if jobs, money, hard work, education, etc... are part of our daily lives; then is that not what defines us... what makes us human? In other words,(maybe it is better to phrase it like this), is what we want to do in life that makes us human?
The real metamorphosis is what happens to his family, not what happens to Gregor.
ReplyDeleteI think that this has a certain truth to it. At the beginning we are faced with a peculiar occurrence. The main character introduced to us in the story has just been transformed into a large bug. The initial reaction of Gregor’s mother, is for her to faint, and of his fathers, is for him to try and shoo him away with a stick and hissing noises. We recognize that this is something strange just from reading about it, but from the actions of his parents, it is emphasized. There is a strong theme of change throughout the book and this change is, on the surface, very much centered around Gregor, but when we look deeper, we start to realize that his is the one that has been changed physically, but the rest of his family are the ones that have been changed emotionally, without wanting to, the family has been transformed also.
Gregor was the bread winner. He was the family member that brought home all the money and supported the rest of the family. Gregor supporting his family is where his value and importance rooted from, which meant that when he was summoned to his room, he had no more significance in the family, he was being completely ignored.
It was Gregor’s transformations that transformed his family. Before, when he was bringing in the money, to pay off his father’s debt, he was merely tolerated and taken for granted, it got to a point when his family was just leeching off of him, and they were a burden to him, but he would never complain. When his transformation happened, his family started to see him as a burden, and even worse, an unwanted and unacceptable burden that wouldn’t be tolerated any longer. This made it seem as though they had been so generous allowing their son to stay at home.
The family soon became ashamed of Gregor and this is when the real transformation happened. The family that Gregor would have been depending on, to help him through this strange time and to help him get better was leaving alone, just how they had always done before. The final transformation is the sigh of relief that the whole family breathes when Gregor dies, and along with him, his large, ‘dirty’ shell.
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ReplyDeleteThis is the story of the rejection of an individual’s appeals for love in the modern world.
ReplyDeleteGregor is very much rejected by his family after he is turned into a bug. He was very close with his sister and she showed him much love and affection before his transformation. This may have been one of the few things that he appreciated and felt appreciated over. Even before his transformation we can see signs of him appealing for love. For example the picture of the lady in the fur coat. It is very much all ‘hopes’ that his family would love him even after the transformation, when leaving his room for the first time when the clerk was at his house, he wanted to a) prove to the clerk that he was a worthy employee and that he wasn’t involved in any of the dodgy business that he had questioned about and b) perhaps he wanted to test whether his family would love him through the pain that the transformation had caused him. I think that at the end of the book, we can imagine the pain that the family was put through and maybe understand why they may feel relieved, but we also begin to forget the pain the Gregor is going through, his pain is first hand and pure, it is not clouded by anything, his life has been turned upside down, and inside out, and there is nothing he can do about it, no help he can get for it. I fully understand why he wanted to come out from his room; it was an appeal for love from his family and maybe even an appeal for emotion from the chief clerk.
As a member of a family which is for the most part functional, not always appreciative, but fairly functional, it would seem normal for Gregor to expect some sort of understanding from his immediate family, but the reactions were the opposite. Later on, he tried with his sister but she just wants to push him further away, because of him new appearance. This kind of reaction is common with people who are met with a dilemma of whether to help a sick person who disgusts you to some effect or just let them be, and in the case of “Metamorphosis,” they begin to help him, by cleaning his room and giving him food and water through the door, but slowly these actions stop and Gregor gets nothing but bad looks, violence, abuse and essentially hurt. And actually, the mother and sister thought that they would be helping and showing that they cared for Gregor by cleaning his room, but it hurt him, because they were close enough for him to make some kind of effort, but it was also clear to him that they didn’t want to, as if they were doing it out of duty and reluctantly.
The alienation started at the moment of the transformation, with his bedroom door being locked. Within your own family there is normally enough respect for privacy but also trust that you shouldn’t have to lock your door, but Gregor’s door being locked begun his alienation. Perhaps at this time it was not purposeful and didn’t seem so significant, but soon Gregor started to become more and more alienated. I can see that maybe, Gregor’s death at the end was a symbol of a new and better life for him, maybe his appeals for love had been answered, and that when we was really truly gone, his family would miss him a little more.
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ReplyDeleteDescribe how Gregor is gradually dehumanized?
ReplyDeleteGregor starts out turning into a vermin which is the climax of the book and what the story revolves around even though it is at the beginning.
After becoming a vermin, Gregor can’t seem to do what he normally does every day such as get to work on time as he can barely get out of bed or leave his room. He starts out struggling and adjusting with what he has become and what to do though he thinks not of himself; but of how he cannot perform his daily tasks.
Gregor also begins to lose his voice which leaves his family and his boss wondering as his mother frantically exclaimed that “that was an animal’s voice.” This is when Gregor realized his words were now unintelligible to humans.
Gregor already accepted his fate in being dehumanized once he found out he was a vermin and could not do the things he used to. This is supported when his family and the Chief Clerk were concerned, Gregor thought to himself; “[feeling] once more drawn into the circle of humanity.” (19) Such simple acts of concern anyone could have had if one does not come out of their room, was seen as enormous by Gregor in his new state showing that being human again would mean the world to him.
When Gregor showed himself, the reactions were enough to express what they all felt- shock and fear of Gregor like anyone would fear a certain type of animal. His mother shrieked, his father wept and Gregor’s employer was slowly trying to leave their home. These are typical reactions of what people do when they come across animals they are afraid of no matter what kind.
His relationship with his family changed after Gregor turned into a vermin because they no longer treated him like a son but like an unwanted thing they could not get rid of. They also began referring to him as “it.” Calling him “it” made it seem as though he was not part of the family, let alone human anymore. The family kept him in his room and brought him food there and Grete, his once adoring sister, no longer cared and now thought of him as a burden in their lives. This is ironic because Gregor was the only one sustaining them as a family and now that he was not doing anything and looked like a vermin; they did not want anything to do with him leaving him feeling worthless and inhuman.
Why is Gregor a Martyr?
ReplyDeleteA martyr is regarded as someone who endures great suffering and Gregor is a martyr because of this.
He doesn't like his job because as a traveling salesman. There is no time to make close friends or establish deep relationships but Gregor perseveres because of his parents' debt which he feels is his obligation to pay. Therefore Gregor sacrifices his social life for his family plus every penny earned for their benefit yet later in the book we discover out that the debt has already been paid and Gregor's family was just living off his earnings.
He also saves up extra money for his sister Grete so she can play the violin at the conservatory. Throughout the book Gregor is seen as selfless as he is always thinking of others before himself; traits of a true Martyr.
An example of this is at the very beginning of the story where Gregor has been transformed into a vermin and instead of worrying about himself and what has happened to him, he worries about getting to work on time. It seems really strange for anyone to be thinking about work at a time like that but Gregor, being the martyr he is, has no time for himself even when he is about to breathe his last breath. Gregor thinks about his family with "affection and love" no matter how much suffering they had caused him.
People react to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
ReplyDeleteThough it is always taught that people should not judge other people by their appearance, it is inevitable for humans to ignore the exterior at all times and this is truly the case in The Metamorphosis.
Gregor turns into a vermin. If any human turned into some sort of vermin, almost everyone’s reactions would be the same; fear, horror and shock just to mention a few. Humans are naturally judgmental so if something so unbelievable and inconceivable happened; that person would probably be observed closely by scientists in a lab and kept away from society.
Being different is almost always a bad thing in society which is wrong because everyone should be different and should be themselves no matter how hard it may be to look at that person. Gregor learns the hard way that if someone changes so drastically in appearance, they may no longer be regarded as the person they once were. Gregor was a dedicated employee plus a generous and loving son and brother but all this changed after he turned into a vermin. This resulted into horrible treatment, isolation and general irritableness on his family’s part.
Though it may be understandable for Gregor’s family to have been frightened, it was unfair of them to leave him to die instead of fighting to find a way to help their only son who sacrificed and did so much for them. They should have sought ways to help him but instead, they abandoned him and treated him like dirt.
I think Kafka portrayed the flaws in society and how much being so different can hurt a person and how following societal rules and blending in is what keeps one from becoming alienated and eventually dying alone.
It is very unfortunate if that is the way the world works; forgetting people’s inner beauty and inner goodness just by focusing on their not so good looking exterior.
Response to Alishia's Post: "This is the story of the rejection of an individual’s appeals for love in the modern world."
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alishia's post for the most part especially the part about Gregor maybe being missed a little more after he longed so much for love and affection from the people in his life and of course; appreciation.
It's sad that Grete changes in her affectionate behavior towards her brother but their relationship was great before and Gregor really valued it as it was the only deep connection he had with anyone in his life. :(
It is horrible what Gregor's family was going through but I disagree with the way they treated him because he was selfless his whole life and for once, they should have tried to be selfless and think about his pain and what he was going through because they weren't the ones who were vermin, Gregor was the one who was really suffering.
I also agree wholeheartedly with your point about their reluctance in caring for Gregor; they did it because they felt they had to and not out of the goodness of their heart or because they wanted to which was wrong because they are family and I think family is supposed to really care so somehow you wonder why they do not get over it and help Gregor.
Gregor's alienation made The Metamorphosis really sad because no one would want to be treated like that. That is why Gregor yearned for love so much and instead all he got was rejection so you are right; maybe his death would be the beginning of all the affection he rightfully deserved.
Examine the office manager’s tactics as he attempts to get Gregor out of his room. Apply the adage, “Getting what you ask for and not wanting what you get” to the managers actions.(Chapter 1)
ReplyDeleteThe manager’s tactics actually show something very important about the whole story; that perhaps Gregor could be more himself when he was at the factory than when he was at home. When he was at home, he was always just being used for money for this, money for that. Perhaps Gregor’s real nature is a work horse, and that his work was the most important and meaningful thing to him. I wonder is this is because o the duty that the felt towards him family, to help them, and help his father repay the debt, which we find he was actually faking. Or whether Gregor really just liked being away from that house, we know for certain that the environment wasn’t every nice or comfortable at work and he was always being teased by his co-workers. But it is only when the chief clerk suggests that there had been some mal-practice in Gregor’s work, he feels that he needs to come out. The adage, “getting what you ask for, and not wanting what you get” can mimic this turn of events. The family and the clerk are so eager for him so open the door and come out, but when he does, I’m sure that they are all wishing that he’d never come out and that they wouldn’t have to deal with this, neither physically nor emotionally. The manager wanted Gregor o come out so badly, we don’t know if it was just curiosity or that he actually wanted to catch him out for being guilty, but he pushed and pushed and in the end he found the right button, semi accusing Gregor of being a cheat or a fraud made him come out, conceivably, he may have wanted to prove that he was still the same character and still had the same morals, but just, as they were about to find out, in a different body. Going back to the adage, it is also symbolic of the book, sometimes we want something so much, that when we get it, we don’t like it or want to trade back. Perhaps because Gregor was so sad, he was wishing that some things in his life would change a little, and maybe this is what he got, maybe this was his large change, to be transformed, and then after he ‘got what he asked for’ he was in the long and never ending stage of ‘not wanting what you get.’
Comments on Marius's post: Identify two symptoms of Gregor’s alienation of his family.
ReplyDeleteI think that his shallow relationship is a very important symptom too, because it is also a little like the superficial relationship that he may feel that he has with the picture of the woman in the fur coat. He does not seem such an emotionally mature person, so maybe it is that he can keep a deep relationship going, but this is also why I think that it was so easy for the alienation to happen to him. He may have seemed oblivious to it at first because he may have not seen the difference, untill his sister turned on him, and I think that that is when it hit home.
Furthermore, I think another significant symptom could be that, it was the clerk who knew how to get him to come out of the room the best, this shows just like Marius was saying, that the factory took up a lot of time and that perhaps his time was limited at home, thus the reason for the door being locked.
Contrast the woman in fun with Grete
ReplyDeleteThe woman in the fur is a large symbol of Gregor wanting more in his life. It’s as if he just needed a friend to sometimes turn to, and to sometimes remind him that there is more to his life than working in a factory. The woman in the fur is also seen as a sex symbol and perhaps sometimes depresses Gregor, because it reminds him of something this he has never been able to sustain himself, meaning that he hasn’t been able to have a relationship on any level with a woman, except for his sister. Maybe this is why he finds it so comforting to be around his sister, they are two very different characters, because he will not see his sister in that light at all but she is there to care for him, because it is a different kind of caring. Grete keeps loving and caring for Gregor all through his pain, but sometimes we can’t see it, because she is doing it in a personal way that is inside her head. She is trying to keep the memories of her brother alive, and that might mean sometimes that she can’t stand to look at him like that, in his bug/creature form because it makes her sad to know that he is really lost, and she is actually the one that make the first step in trying to make the family accept that the human Gregor will never return.
Whereas, the lady in the fur is there in his mind and imagination because although she has no feelings for Gregor or any feelings at all, she is, in a way, just as much there as a fantasy as his sister is there for real comfort. Gregor was a fairly poor man, in emotions and love. The largest difference between the two is that Gregor may have seen the woman in the fur as more reliable because she never moved and would never leave, he would never have to beg her for love or attention. I also don’t think this is crazy, I think that it is just a further bit that Kafka shows us of Gregor’s character.
Response to Tesi: Why is Gregor a Martyr?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you saying that one of the reasons is because he sacrifices his social life for him family. This is something that can be looked upon very well. At the beginning i didn't know what was a Martyr, but now I understand, I think that Gregor is a true Martyr, it takes a very good person, and a very pure person with a big heart to sacrifice the way he has, and all the time, he never knew that he was being kind of fooled by his parents. But from the character we see, I think he ever wouldn't have minded or been mad at them.
Gregor's family are the real vermin.
ReplyDeleteFamily is very important, and they should always support the other ones who need help, for example in my family and in my culture it is very important that you do all that you can, and that you don't let one person suffer if you can help it. Gregor has a bad situation but the family doesn't really do anything to help him, and actually I can see that they do the opposite. They treat him liek he is not part of the family, even if he doesn't look them anymore, they still have memories, and in the beginnign you can still see that his sister Grete still wants to keep those memories and some of her actions are okay, like her not wanting to see him hurting because she is doing them for a pure reason, but Mr & Mrs Samsa, their actions are very hurtful to Gregor. The treat him like such an outsider and are ashamed of him, when really, they should be ashamed of themselves for treating someone who loved them, and someone that did so much for them, treating them so badly and with no respect. I think that Gregor deserves a lot of respect because he has put a lot of effort into keeping the family going. And if they cannot see that, or appreciate that, then they are vermine themselves, they do not deserve the help that he previously gave. Taking someone for granted is almost a sin to me, you should never use someone, because one day they may be gone, and this is exactly what happened in "Metamorphosis."
The families behavior disgusts me, and I think that, it is far worse than Gregor being a vermin. There is a saying 'takes one to know one' and if they were judging him for his new insides as well as outsides, they must have something nasty in themselves.
People act to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside. Comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favourite sayings. People judge too much by what they see, often people want to know someone if they are good looking and they assume that 'good looking' only mean from the outside. I think that someone can be good looking- inside. The transformation of Gregor shows this so much, that people who used to respect him, like the clerk, 5 minutes before realising the transformation, the clerk was talking about knowing that Gregor was a good person and that he wouldn't do something bad at the factory, but then as soon as he sees Gregor in the form of a vermin, his mind is completely changed, he is actually scared and can't say anything. This has been seen many times, I have noticed things like this, when someone is not attractive people don't take time for them, but if they get a makeover or put some effort people are not busy all of a sudden. I think that this is very bad. I can't say that i wouldnt be afraid of Gregor, or a litlte bit find it gross, but i would try and see his real, old personality, because that is what matters most. I think that Gregor was trying to show that to his family, but they were too proud to notice or try make an effort.
One problem that we face in the world is that, people want to jump so fast to make a first impression of a person, they want to know immediately what someone is like, so they don't give time to get to know the inside, this is why 'People act to the exterior of others, not to what they really are inside.' And why, the family of Gregor could not give him a second chance in his new life.