Metamorphosis

How does Gregor entertain himself?

"Gregor tried to avoid being seen at the window during the day. But it was hard to just lie quietly, so, to entertain himself, he took to crawling up and down the walls and ceiling. He especially liked hanging from the ceiling- his body had a swing to it up there, he was almost happy. He felt he had now had far better control of his body than before becoming a bug.

What words would you use to describe Kafka's style?

"Kafkaesque" got its name from Kafka very own style.. The term 'Kafkaesque' as a style is seen by many as a surreal. His stories are strange, symbolize and show absurdity of life. He goes deep into the psychology of the characters. He enjoyed playing with metaphors and his expression was metaphorical in articulation. Though his points were simple and straight but it was complex and critical to understand completely.

*Part*

*II.*

*PART*

*III*

*Overall*

*Impressions*

What does Gregor's running out and protecting the picture reveal about his mental state?

-he has lost his mental abilities to think logically about how his mother and sister would respond to his actions

What actions does Gregor take to minimize his family seeing him

-he hides under the sofa so as not to scare Grete -a month after his transformation, Grete is shocked to see him in the chair, he covers the sofa completely with a sheet

What changes takes place because of their financial needs? How does make Gregor feel;?

-his father must go back to work despite his old age, -mother supplements the income -Grete also goes to work Gregor feel shame and grief at having inconvenienced his family

What changes does Gregor notice about his family now that he is home all the time?

-the father no longer read the newspaper to Grete because he is too tired from working all day as a bank clerk -the mom sews undergarments for people -Grete gets a job as shop girl -he hears the family must dismiss the cook because they can no longer afford to pay her. She is released only if she won't tell anyone about the family secret.

How has Gregor's attitude toward his family changed? Gregor tries to show compassion for his family, when he dies. How has Grete's treatment of Gregor changed? Why do you think Grete's attitude toward Gregor changed?

After his transformation, Gregor's attitude towards his family shifts from adoration and sacrifice to the acknowledgement that his family no longer cares for him. The Samsa's blatant dislike of Gregor's new physical condition is met with feelings of guilt and a need to be loved. He becomes a creature of great disappointment and sullenness, not helped by his parents' obvious resentment towards him. His feelings of duty and responsibility toward his family concern him much more than his bizarre physical predicament. His family wanted the burden of Gregor to be lifted off of them and they command him to die. When he does he is thinking about how much he loves them and how much they loved him, this is ironic because of the way they have been treating him lately but still this shows his compassion for his loved ones.) Grete had the most sympathy for Gregor in the beginning but even she reaches her limit She stops feeding hi and no longer cleans his room. Tells her parents the should get rid of Gregor. If he were himself would not want to burden his family. She tells her mother and father, If this were Gregor, he would have realized long ago that human beings can't live with such a creature and he'd have gone away..." She justifies this position by choosing not to believe that the cockroach is her brother anymore, and characterizes him as selfish and rude. The readers, on the other hand, are aligned with Gregor, since we see the story from his head. As he runs back and forth in dismay, we feel his pain, even as we wish that he could reassure his family by acting a little more human, or by being more responsible and independent. Still, Grete's assumption may be true—Gregor in this new shape might not be her brother anymore. By the end of the story, he's not so much a human trapped in an insect's body, as a very thoughtful insect, which to all outward appearances acts like an insect. But even though he's not really human anymore, does he deserve the same amount of sympathy as a human? The story suggests that he does, but it also demonstrates how that's impossible. His sister doesn't bother to pick out his food any more and cleans his room very hastily and poorly. She insists, however, in being the only one to clean his room and, when his mother does this once, Grete yells at her starting a fight with the father who reprimands them both. Gregor is angry that they did not close his door to spare him the noise.

How does Gregor's family try to make life seem "normal" for themselves?

After the apple wounding incident, his family feel a small amount of sadness for Gregor. Gregor, who is now described as shuffling around with his wound like an "old war veteran", is now granted the gift of a peek at his family in the evenings.The door to his room is left slightly open so that he can watch them eating dinner and hanging out together in the living room. All of the members of his family are now employed. After dinner, as his father falls asleep in his bank messenger's uniform, his mother works quietly sewing lingerie and his sister, who's taken a day job as a salesgirl, practices shorthand and French.

Describe what life was like for Gregor before his metamorphosis, at home and work.

Almost exactly like a life of a bug he got up went to work to get money for food and shelter went home after work went straight to his room to go to bed. He then did it all over again the next day. Life was going to work to get money for food and shelter for his family.

How is the theme of alienation evident in Gregor's life prior to his transformation?

As a traveling salesman, he was often on the road for months on end. The limited human contact is very limited and not meaningful. He is estranged from his family because of his job. Even when he is home, Gregor has made no attempt to create any meaningful relationships with anyone at his workplace or outside of his home.

Describe how each family member reacts when they hear that Gregor is dead.

Early the next morning the cleaning woman discovers Gregor's body in the middle of the room. After poking him a couple of times to see if he's actually dead, the cleaning woman charges into Mr. and Mrs. Samsa's bedroom to announce that "it" has died. The cleaning lady discovers Gregor's lifeless body. Hearing of the news, the family gathers around the corpse and without grieving, simply feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off their shoulders. Grete points out how skinny Gregor had gotten.

How does Gregor's opinion of his job performance differ from the manager's?

For FIVE years, Gregor has never been late to work or even been absent. He feels he is doing his best as an exemplary, dependable worker to meet the quotas and demands of the company. Gregor is disappointed and disgusted at hearing the manager disparage about his recent unsatisfactory performance and is horrified that the manager is threatened to fire him for not arriving to work that day.

A person changed into an animal, or vice versa, is a common theme of fairy tales. In what ways is The Metamorphosis similar to fairy tales you know? In what ways is it different?

For example, a frog to prince when kissed by Snow White the end was positive. and the frog and the princess were happier. Positive results with a happy ending. Most fairy tales work in a positive way for the character people like. The stories usually go fro sad to happy. Gregor is not an enchanted prince in a fairy tale, yearning for deliverance from his animal state; instead, he is a rather average salesman who awakens and finds himself transformed into an insect. He is the good guy but his changes do not have a happy ending.

Describe how and what Gregor eats.

Gregor eats, creates a disgusting and grotesque image of how he "sucked greedily" and "quickly devoured" the cheese, clearly not very human-like. Also, it is important to note that Gregor's preference for rotten food like the "inedible" piece of cheese, the "old, half-decayed vegetables", and the "congealed white sauce", as well as "the bones from last night's supper", all contrasting with the "other delicacies" his sister, Grette, had served for him. Gregor's animalistic character as his legs "whirred in his rush to get food", quickly and in a desperate way.

What is Gregor's response when Grete decides to remove the furniture from his room? What does this response tell you about him?

Gregor feels as though he is being stripped of his possession and in a panic, covers the framed picture of the woman in order to keep it in his possession. He struggles at first when his sister removes his furniture, which linked him to his humanity, but ultimately prefers the comfort of a bare room. He is becoming more like a bug in his thinking.

Describe the scene of Gregor's death.

Gregor finds himself unable to move, but he's actually comfortable. His pains seem to dwindle, and even the pesky apple in his back doesn't really bother him anymore. He thinks of his family with "deep emotion and love". He also agrees with his sister that he ought to disappear. These thoughts occupy Gregor until the clock strikes 3 am. He notices that it's getting light outside. His head falls to the floor—and he dies.

What happens?

Gregor looks like a bug but he still thinks like a human. He does not know people can not understand him now when he talks. His boss leaves Gregor quickly attempts to explain his situation and pleads with his boss to justify his absence at work but the horrified office manager continues to flee. Mr. Samsa, Gregor's father starts beating him with a newspaper to get him back into his room while his mother is screaming and panicking out about Gregor and what they were going to do.

Describe Gregor's own attitude and his reaction to his new predicament.

He acts like he is sick and that in a few hours of sleep all of his problems are just going to go away. Gregor discovers how easy his new method of mobility is. Nevertheless, he is anxious to get to the office, where he works as a traveling salesman.

What is Gregor's attitude toward the boarders? Why?

He did not like that they were being fed well, taking his place in the family, listening to his sister play the violin. He did not like that his family took care of strangers and not him. Gregor felt great deal of resentment, and he thinks that he is starving while the borders stuff themselves and the family caters to the boarders needs.

What causes Gregor to feel guilty about his family's situtation?

He feels badly that at least two members always remain home as they feel safer together. Later in the novel, Gregor realizes that his family feels like they are prisoners in their own home.

How does Gregor feel about his job? What evidence in the story reveals his feelings?

He is a traveling salesman, and he hates traveling because he dislikes worrying and getting up early. Gregor's chief at work is extremely tyrannical, and Gregor wants to quit the job but cannot do so until he has paid off the debts that his parents owe the chief.

What is Gregor's role in his family? Gregor is the sole support of his family before his metamorphosis.

He paid the rent & all the bills. He was paying off his parents' private debts to the chief of his firm.

How does father respond when he finds out about the furniture incident?

He throws apples and one lodges in between his shell on his back.

How does Gregor respond to his sister's violin playing? What might Kafka be implying about Gregor by describing this reaction? What is the significance of Gregor's reaction to his sister's violin performance?

He was proud of her and wanted to pay for her to go to a musical conservatory. He was also protective of her when he thought the three boarders dismissed her when she played for them. He decides that he must crawl out and tug at Grete's skirt to let her know that she must play in his room, because no one else in the room seems to enjoy her music as much as he does. He fantasizes about telling his sister about his plan, before he got turned into a bug, to send her to the music conservatory. In his fantasy, his sister bursts into tears of joy and he manages to give her a kiss on the neck. He still has human feelings. This shows that he cares about his sister and Gregor continues to enjoy his sister's playing.

In what ways do you think Gregor was like a "bug" even before his metamorphosis? What circumstances in Gregor's life might have caused him to feel dehumanized even before the metamorphosis took place?

His life was parallel like a bug he went to work all day to get food for his family like a bug went to get food all day for his family after that Gregor goes home and falls asleep just like a bug goes and finds shelter then falls asleep. Then, did all over again the next day Gregor's life felt dehumanized even before he was morphed into a bug. He has become a money machine for his family and has no social life outside of his job.

Which character reveals Gregor's absence of personal life?

His mother . . . she explains that Gregor comes home every night and has no desire to go hang out with friends. She worries about his lack of social life.

What kind of changes does Gregor notice in his father?

In Gregor's own observation, he realizes that his father looks much more healthy and clean since acquiring a job as a bank attendant. As time passes Gregor notices that his father no longer removes his uniform upon coming home which eventually becomes filthier every day.

What changes take place in Gregor's room?

In order to make room for the boarders, the family starts storing random stuff in Gregor's room, including the trash cans and useless furniture they're unwilling to sell. Gregor amuses himself with moving the stuff around his room, but afterwards he just gets depressed.

Does his writing remind you of other books you have read, music you have heard, or films you have seen?

In the movie, "The Fly" the main character morphs into a fly after a scientific experiment goes wrong. Like Gregor, the main character in the movie also becomes more fly like than human and eventually dies as a fly.

Describe Gregor's room. What is the picture hanging on the wall?

It's a dull and normal room but small. A picture of a woman in furs that he tore out of a magazine and framed hangs on his wall.

In what does Grete gradually transform in her care for Gregor?

Just Gregor has lost his mental capacity to think as a human, Grete also begin growing weary of taking care of Gregor. After the picture incident, Grete no longer leaves the door cracked open. She slams the door shut on Gregor after the picture incident. Grete doesn't mind bringing Gregor food. It's only when she sees him in his bug form that she realizes how grotesque Gregor is. As she assumes more financial responsibility for her family, she become weary of taking care of Gregor.

How is the opening of the novel absurd?

No one in Part I consider the absurdity of Gregor's transformation, including Gregor himself. No on questions how or why he was transformed: all characters just "adjust" to his change.

What does Gregor's father reveal about the family's financial status? What is Gregor's reaction when he learns the truth about their finances?

On the first day of his transformation, his father gave a lengthy explanation of their financial situation. Apparently they aren't so bad off. When his father's business collapsed, there was still a little money remaining, and it's been gathering interest. This news was a pleasant surprise to Gregor, who thought they had been completely ruined. Gregor knows that he could have used the money to pay off the debt to his chief and leave his job earlier, but he agrees that his father's planning was best since it now left the family with some money. Every time money is mentioned, Gregor feels extremely ashamed even though he is the one being used by his family.

Why do the boarders threaten to leave?

One of the boarders suddenly spots Gregor and cries out in fear. All three boarders are picky about cleanliness and say that they will no longer pay rent due to the poor living conditions of the house.

What do the changes in his eating habits signify?

Previously, he enjoyed milk but found it to be distasteful. He gravitates towards rotting food, demonstrating his changing taste as a cockroach.

Describe everyone's reaction as they see Gregor come out of his room to meet the office manager.

Seeing Gregor's new transformation, the terrified office manager begins to flee especially when Gregor tries approaching him and "talking" to him; his mother scream and then faints from the shock of seeing her son's transformation; his father grabs the cane and newspaper and tries his best to drive Gregor back to his room by hissing at him. Gregor gets stuck in the doorway and his father manages to push him into his room. They were confused, shocked, and frightened.

How does the mother respond to seeing Gregor? to her husband's actions?

She begs her husband not to kill Gregor

How does Gregor's sister treat him differently from the way he is treated by his parents?

She is sympathetic and empathetic. She understands he doesn't feel good about his transformation.. She is in touch with his emotions, so much so that Gregor comes out of his room to hear her. His change in appearance is too much for her or anyone to bear, but she is the one sad link to humanity that Gregor has. He has put money aside for her music lessons, and he loves her. She loves him too. Gregor's parents want to use him as a meal ticket.

How does Grete's actions prove she still cares for Gregor?

She takes the effort to accommodate his new eating habits. Furthermore, she senses that Gregor doesn't want her to watch while he eats his food, so she leaves the room. She feeds Gregor before her parents are awake and during their midday nap, to spare them anymore difficulty than what they have been experiencing. She moves a chair near the window, so that Gregor can look outside. Finally, she moves out all of the furniture, so that he can have space to move around.

What is the significance of the Gregor's protecting the picture of the lady in the fur?

Symbolically, the picture reminds Gregor of his link to humanity.

What prompts Grete into asking her mother for assistance?

The chest of drawers was too heavy for her to move by herself. She didn't want to ask the servant girl or the father to help her.

Who do you think is responsible for Gregor's fate? To what extent do you think he is responsible?

The entire family plays a role in Gregor's fate. Gregor's father may bear the major responsibility for his death because of injuring him with the apple, but no one in the family is blameless. He is responsible to an extent because he allowed his family, especially his father to use him for money even before he morphed into a bug. His heart was broken also because of how alienated he felt from his family and did not want to burden them. Gregor feels terrible about the trouble and pain he's causes his family. Gregor returns to his room and begins thinking about his family's suffering and that he must go away in order to alleviate it. The next morning, Gregor dies.

What is the significance of the furniture to Gregor?

The furniture (especially the desk), symbolizes Gregor's humanity. When all the furniture is removed, Gregor feels his transformation is complete.

What is his family situation like?

The social, emotional and physical changes affect all the characters. One of these main views is alienation or estrangement which is demonstrated by Gregor's relationship with his family, his social life, and the way he lives his life after the metamorphosis. The family's finances seem to get harder and they sell their jewels. Physically, Gregor changes the most from human to vermin. His father and mother both have health problems.

What prevents the family from moving to a smaller apartment?

They often complain about the expense of staying in their enormous apartment, which they have to do because they have no idea what to do with Gregor if they move. Gregor, however, believes that the family simply doesn't have the strength to move; they have reconciled themselves to suffering misfortune.

What effect does Gregor's metamorphosis ultimately have on his family? What does this effect suggest about his relationship with his family?

They used him for money and he was no longer useful to them when he could not work and take care of the family. Also, in this story, even close family bonds can't win over the unequal relationship and the disgust caused by having a cockroach as a family member. The family gets rid of the boarders and fires the cleaning lady, who has gotten rid of the body in a dust pan. The family decides to leave their apartment and take a trolley ride to the countryside in order to discuss their next move. While discussing their finances, they realize that they've saved up a large sum of money. They decide to move to a smaller apartment and seeing what a beautiful young woman Grete has become, they also decide to find her a husband.

How do they try to manage financially?

They've had to sell the family jewelry. All of the members of his family are now employed. The father now works as a bank messenger. The mother works sewing. His sister has a job as a salesgirl.

Who comes to live with the Samas? What might be the significance of these new characters? Why did Kafka not give them names or other individual characteristics?

Three boarders who pay rent to the family. The three boarders often take their meals in the living room where the family used to eat, so the door to Gregor's room remains closed. In a way they replace the money Gregor's is no longer providing. They eat and now Gregor is not fed. They take over Grego's place and role in the family. If they never thought much of their son and only saw him as their money maker, perhaps the boarders were not thought of as valuable either; just a means to make life easier for Gregor's parents and sister.

The narrator strongly implies that Gregor starves himself to death. What other forces might have led to Gregor's death?

Understanding how his family had grown to wish he were gone was hard for Gregor. After his sister, Grete urges her parents to consider getting rid of Gregor because he has become a nuisance and is no longer the same person they knew. Knowing they Mr. Samsa wishes that Gregor would understand the reason as to why they need him to leave but Grete confronts this notion by telling him that if Gregor did indeed comprehend the situation, he would have left long ago and spared the family.Hearing this, Gregor feels terrible about the trouble and pain he's caused his family. Gregor returns to his room and begins thinking about his family's suffering and that he must go away in order to alleviate it. The next morning, Gregor dies.

What does this episode reveal about Gregor's father?

When Gregor's father. Mr. Samas shoves him through the doorway with a newspaper, injuring Gregor and slamming the door. He was more concerned about how he and his family were feeling rather than how Gregor felt.

Why does he have so much responsibility?

When his father loses his job five years earlier, his family has to dependent of him for financial reasons. His parents owed money and Gregor was expected to be the one to make the money. He was paying off his parents' private debts to the boss of his firm.

How is Gregor wounded?

When his mother suddenly sees Gregor in his room she faints and then Grete yells at Gregor after which Gregor crawls into the living room. Grete runs in and tells her father of the news but he misunderstands the situation and assumes that Gregor attempted to attack his mother. He begins to chase him around the living room. His father throws an apple at Gregor which becomes lodged in his back. Wounded, Gregor now heads for the door before hearing his mother pleading with his father to stop hurting their son.