Chapter II & III of Metamorphosis

What is the allegory of the story?

"Refers to our life" "we are all trapped".

Some critics suggest that Gregor's growing appreciation of his antennas and his loss of interest in milk hints at Gregor's loss of humanity. Would you agree or disagree?

Agree, it shows his loss of humanity. His loss of humanity has more to do with the way his sister and parents treat him. Not only is he physically turning into a bug but he is mentally turning into a bug.

In the course of the story Greg's has become a new person; she has undergone her own metamorphosis. What action of hers at the end symbolizes this change?

At the end of the journey the daughter got up first and they realized they should find her a suitor she's ready for marriage.

Why is the family described as overworked and overtired?

Everyone is the family except Gregor has jobs now and have to take care of the house, Gregor, and the tenants.

If this story is a religious allegory in which Gregor is a modern Everyman transformed into a bug, what is the story suggesting about God, man, and existence?

Gods whole reason for existence is to work and help other people just like how Gregor did.

What is Gregor's initial reaction to the new cleaning lady? How does she behave towards him?

Gregor did not like the cleaning lady. He is very nervous around her and has a bad feeling. She is not alarmed by him and treats him like a minor inconvenience.

"So you're not advancing?" is spoken by the maid, but the question's meaning can relate to what other parts of Gregor's life?

Gregor has to meet his fate and he is not changing more into a bug. Metamorphosis is permanent.

Do you see Ang significance in the fact that Gregor must crawl under the couch to feel comfortable?

Gregor wants to hide himself because he is insecure or embarrassed. He covers himself with a sheet.

What object does Gregor cover with his body so that his sister and mother cannot move it out of his room? Do you see any significance to this?

He covered himself with the picture of the woman dressed in fur. This is the one remnant from his previous life he clings to.

What demonstrates the father's great attraction to his uniform?

He father refuses to take off the uniform and the father sleeps in the uniform. No one does this because it is uncomfortable. The father is hiding behind the uniform. Hiding his inner self and becoming less human.

In the first paragraph of chapter two what do we learn of Gregor's health.

He loses his voice and his appetite changes. He can sit go to work and he cannot provide for his family.

How would you describe the father's new temperament? Do you supposed the uniform has anything to do with it?

He threw his hat across the room and stood up straight which shows he is in good health. He is a picture of authority and temperament. He DO NOT have an uplifting cheery attitude.

Explain the father's new attire. How has the job changed his father?

He wears a tight fitting blue uniform with gold buttons, like the ones servants wear in a banking company. It shows an appearance of power "fake authority". If you dress the part you feel the part. He is wearing a military looking uniform.

What was the a part of the father's appearance that threatened Gregor?

His gigantic boots.

How is the world Gregor inhabits (his room) being transformed?

His sister wants to remove all the furniture out of his room to allow him to have more space to move. The presence of furniture implies human beings And if the furniture is moved it implies the transformation is permanent.

What is the difference between the way Gregor feels in chapter 1 and 2?

In chapter one he thinks of himself as a human and in chapter two people start treating him like a bug so he becomes embarrassed.

How does the sister's violin playing move incidents and understanding along?

It caused Gregor to come out of his room and this causes the boarders to see him. Reminds Gregor of his humanity and his love for his sister.

To see this story as timeless and universal, what premises about the story must be accepted?

Metamorphosis is timeless in the forces such as bureaucracies and manmade systems are natural products of civilizations and I'll always be at odds with one's own personal freedom and humanity.

What used to be Gregor's favorite drink?

Milk

Explain the significance of the phrase, "The lack of all direct human communication, together with the monotonous life in the midst of the family."

No one talks to him or communicates with him. He is ignored by everyone and they treat him like an object.

What is the reaction of Gregor's sister whenever she enters Gregor's room?

She opens the window. She opens the window for herself, but Gregor thinks she is opening to window for him.

How has his sister's treatment of Gregor changed?

She won't go in the room. She started referring to him as "it" and stopped seeing him as a human being.

What does the mother do after Gregor's father hits him with an apple? What happens to one of the apples that hits Gregor?

She wraps her arms around the father's head and begs him to spare Gregor's life. Gregor is mortally wounded when he is hit with the apple and it gets stuck in his back.

Why do you suppose the author did not tell us the boarders' names?

The boarders names are unimportant to the story and could have a symbolic meaning.

Give both the false and real reason the family is unable to move.

The false reason is they do not know how to move Gregor. And the real reason is they cannot move because his bad luck will follow them. They have a big apartment anyway.

In these first few pages of Part II, what seems to be the family's attitude toward Gregor?

The family's attitude towards Gregor seems to be isolated or alienated. The sister slams the door in fear when she first saw him, but then opens it because she feels bad. Out of the kindness of her heart she brought him a selection of food for his liking.

Despite his worsening health, what solace does Gregor find? Why is this significant for him?

The living room door is open so he can see the family at the table. This allows him to hear and see what is going on and it gives him a glimpse of human life.

Describe the family's reaction to Gregor's death.

The mother and sister hug each other and the father demonstrates some attention. They decide to spend the day in resting and go for a stroll.

How has the sister changed?

The sister is more assertive and is in charge of the house. She seems to be doing things to make Gregor's life better because she pities him.

What does Gregor hid under so his doesn't care his sister?

The sofa.

Given the situation with the uniform, how might it be a symbol?

The suit is causing him to become less human and allows the father to hide behind it.

What significance do the three boarders bring to the story?

They cause the climax to occur.

At this point how do the members of the family refer to Gregor?

They refer to Gregor as an "it" and the sister says he is no longer her bother and she will not call him that any longer.

Of what importance are the lodger's teeth?

They show humans need teeth to eat and Gregor being a bug does not have teeth and he is not eating.

When does the climax occur in this story?

When the sister says "we have to get rid of it".

At this point, Gregor tried to be as considerate as possible to his family for the unpleasantness that his metamorphosis has caused them. Is this consistent with his earlier attitude toward the family?

Yes, his earlier attitude was trying to shield his family from the pain for as long as possible. He has always been trying to protect his family and provide for his family. They take advantage of him and use him. He is considerate of his sister.

Do you think Gregor's father purposely misled Gregor about the family's financial condition?

Yes, his father purposely misled him about the financial state of the family. He did not tell Gregor anything about the business, but Gregor did not ask either. When Gregor became a salesman the family took the money with delight and with Gregor thinking there was no money left he would work harder to provide for family. The family had a maid so Gregor should have realize they had more money.