Metamorphosis

Explain Gregor's feelings about the chief clerk coming to check on him?

He wanted to talk to him and explain why he didn't leave on the morning train but he didn't have the strength to do it.

What incites Gregor's father's anger?

Gregor escaped his room

How does Gregor's door finally get open?

Gregor uses his bug mouth and body weight to turn the key.

In "The Metamorphosis," what is one disappointing side effect of being a beetle?

He doesn't like the taste of normal food

It is interesting to note that Gregor sees that the breakfast dishes have not been cleaned up. Gregor's father thinks breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and he drags it out over several hours, while reading several newspapers. What does this probably indicate about Gregor's father?

He doesn't work

Why is it that Gregor feels calling in sick would not be a viable excuse for his being late or absent from work?

He has never been sick before.

How had Gregor become the sole provider for the family?

He is the only one who is making money for the family and did it in his room.

In "The Metamorphosis," what is Gregor's biggest regret about his job?

He never has time to make friends

How has Gregor's sister's attitude changed?

She is very agitated by having to help Gregor.

How does Gregor's sister try to help him?

She tries to remove all of the furniture, so he has room to crawl.

Why does Gregor's mother insist on leaving the furniture in the his room?

She wants it to be just as he left it when he is normal again

What weapon does Gregor's father use against Gregor?

apples

Where does Gregor's father force Gregor to go?

back in his room

Besides his tardiness this morning, what else does the clerk confront Gregor about in front of his parents?

both

What is disappointing about the milk and bread?

The milk doesn't taste good.

How do the gentlemen react to seeing Gregor?

They are outraged.

Describe the attitude of the three gentlemen who rent a room from Gregor's family.

They are respective of Gregor's space but act like children. They look to the mom for dinner and needs. They also like to have a good argument. They don't care for Gregor's sister and violin playing.

What does Gregor notice about the routine of his family?

They are very quiet

What concession does Gregor's family make after the apple incident?

They will leave his bedroom door open in the evenings so he can see and hear them.

What theme of Kafka's work is evident in Gregor's use of the sheet?

isolation

Which of Kafka's themes is expressed when Gregor laments about the difficulties of his job? "Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and on top of that there's the curse of traveling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them."

isolation

Why has Gregor's room become the catch-all for unwanted or unused items?

none of these reasons

Grgeor's father's reaction is an example of which of Kafka's themes?

oppression

What does this quote indicate about Gregor? "The lad only ever thinks about the business. It nearly makes me cross the way he never goes out in the evenings; he's been in town for a week now but stayed home every evening. He sits with us in the kitchen and just reads the paper or studies train timetables. His idea of relaxation is working with his fretsaw. He's made a little frame, for instance, it only took him two or three evenings, you'll be amazed how nice it is; it's hanging up in his room; you'll see it as soon as Gregor opens the door."

he doesn't have much of a life

What excuse does Gregor's mother give for him missing the early train?

he is sick

What is the first indication that something is really wrong with Gregor that makes his family and the clerk respond to his condition?

his animal voice

Who do Gregor assume left him the milk and bread?

his sister

Who is Gregor's primary caretaker?

his sister

Who leads the charge on wanting to get rid of Gregor?

his sister

In "The Metamorphosis," what does the clerk confront Gregor about when he comes to check on him?

some stolen property

What feature of being a bug does Gregor most enjoy?

the ability to crawl on the wall and the ceiling

Who discovers Gregor is dead?

the cleaning woman

Look up the literary term "pathetic fallacy." Which aspect of the story lends itself as an example of this term?

the fact that it is raining outside

What awakens Gregor from his coma-like sleep?

the smell of food

What makes Gregor feel almost human again?

the sound of his sister playing the violin

What is Gregor's sister's dream?

to go to the conservatory

What is Gregor's occupation?

traveling salesman

Which word best describes Gregor's reaction to his transformation?

unfazed

Which word best describes Gregor's family's reaction to his death?

relief

What kind of food is Gregor attracted to?

rotten foods

Provide an example of each of Kafka's themes from the story.

Alienation- when Gregor can no longer work when everyone else is and his sister has to take care of him Isolation- when Gregor covers himself with sheets The absurd- How Gregor sister thought it was absurd that the bug could still be her brother Oppression- Gregor's father reaction when he saw Gregor came out of the room

Under what conditions is Gregor fed?

By his sister, while everyone else is occupied

What does Gregor learn about his family's finances?

His father has been saving money from Gregor's earnings.

Why does Gregor have to work at this particular job?

His parents owed a debt, and Gregor had to work to pay it off.

What theme of Kafka is evident in this quote? "Once during that long evening, the door on one side of the room was opened very slightly and hurriedly closed again; later on the door on the other side did the same; it seemed that someone needed to enter the room but thought better of it. Gregor went and waited immediately by the door, resolved either to bring the timorous visitor into the room in some way or at least to find out who it was; but the door was opened no more that night and Gregor waited in vain. The previous morning while the doors were locked everyone had wanted to get in there to him, but now, now that he had opened up one of the doors and the other had clearly been unlocked some time during the day, no-one came, and the keys were in the other sides."

Isolation

Why is Gregor's door locked?

It was a habit from traveling so often.

What does Gregor notice about the keys to his room that changed from the morning?

The keys are on the other side

Describe the family's new normal since Gregor has been unable to work. Discuss at least three changes.

The new normal is that they will not directly look at him and not speak of him at the dinner table. The sister doesn't play the violin anymore and got a job. The mother is taking on everything else plus her sowing. Three men have started living in the house.