Commonlit The Metamorphosis
In these lines we are shown Gregor at his most human throughout the story, valuing art and love over money.
"Was he an animal if music could captivate him so? It seemed to him that he was being shown the way to the unknown nourishment he had been yearning for." (Paragraph 73) How do these lines contribute to the overall meaning of the story?
The Samsa family owes money to Gregor's boss, and thus Gregor works constantly to pay off this debt
How does the relationship between the Samsa family and Gregor Samsa's boss contribute to the plot of the story?
This detail establishes that Gregor had another profession before becoming a salesman.
In paragraph 26, we learn that Gregor Samsa was a lieutenant in the army before he became a traveling salesman. What is the author's likely purpose for including this detail about the protagonist?
What is the significance of Mr. Samsa telling the three gentlemen renters to leave?
It represents the breaking of a subservient employer-employee relationship, while also confirming Mr. Samsa did believe to be his son through his anger and grief.
This section confirms his loss of human speech and communication.
Re-read paragraph 23. What do the lines describing Gregor's attempt to respond reveal or imply about him?
Gregor recognizes when he is being called a beetle and remembers that he is not one, thus revealing a retention of his human identity and perspective.
What does the interaction between Gregor and the charwoman in paragraph 67 reveal about his then current point of view?
to pester
What does the term "importune" most likely mean as used in paragraph 64?
extra
What does the term "superfluous" most likely mean as used in paragraph 68?
to show Gregor questioning his company and his loyalty to the job
What is the author's likely purpose for the string of rhetorical questions in paragraph 15?
"Were all employees, every one of them, louts, was there not one of them who was faithful and devoted who would go so mad with pangs of conscience that he couldn't get out of bed if he didn't spend at least a couple of hours in the morning on company business?" (Paragraph 15) "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." (Paragraph 17)
Which TWO of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?
Third-person omniscient: the narration remains focused on Gregor's perspective, however it occasionally branches out to other perspectives (i.e. the Samsas, following Gregor's death).
Which of the following best describe the narrator's point of view in the story?
The daily grind and isolation in earning a living can eliminate one's humanity.
Which of the following best describes a central idea of the text?
"reproaches and warnings"
Which of the following phrases best supports the answer to Part A?
