Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Metaporphosis

Post your comments about Kafka's "Metamorphosis" here.

2 Comments:

Blogger T Sale said...

• Why, in the beginning, has everything about him become a bug except for his mind? Why has his human mind been salvaged?
• How do you think things would’ve turned out differently had Gregor’s family acknowledged him?
• What is the significance of Gregor’s sister being the one that wants to get rid of him first? How does she change over time?
• What is the author’s message?
• How much of a change is too much to cope with? This family had dealt with a lot—like the father’s business crashing, why couldn’t they cope with this?
• Did the author turn Gregor into an insect to prepare his family for his death?
• Why is the Metamorphosis considered a story of “literary merit”? Why is it worth reading?
• What are the further social implications of Gregor becoming a bug?
• What is the significance of the apple in Gregor’s back?
• What would motivate someone to write a story about a bug?
• What is the meaning or theme of this short novel?
• Given the way Gregor’s family treats him after the transformation, what could his situation be symbolic of, like a disease, and what is the author’s message about treating people with a disability?
• Why is Gregor not surprised about his metamorphosis?
• Has he physically changed into a bug, and what does his metamorphosis represent?
• What change occurred in Gregor? Was it really a bug or was it a symbolic bug? If it really was a bug, what does this mean?
• What does the bug symbolize about human nature?
• What was the purpose of this story? What does the author want us to walk away with?
o Is it a criticism of capitalism?
• Why does the character start of morphed with the mindset of being?
• Is he really a bug or is this strictly metaphorical?
• Why is he so worried about things that don’t matter, like his boss?
• Why does Gregor’s father seclude himself from Gregor? It does not seem right that Gregor has been treated so badly because Gregor has contributed so much, financially, to the family.
• Does Gregor have control over his metamorphosis? Is it Gregor’s head showing him his family needs to work for themselves, or is it his family’s perception of a life without someone providing for you?
• What, ultimately, led to Gregor’s death?
• Why an insect?
o Environmental reasons?
o Bugs have to spine and are vulnerable to the pressures of the world
• What caused Gregor to turn into a bug? Was it the stress of having his family rely on him, or revenge on them for relying on him?
o So that Gregor could realize his family’s feelings toward him?
o So that he could understand his family’s need better?
o No loving connection with his family, dealing with his own guilt
• What exactly caused Gregor’s metamorphosis in the first place? It doesn’t benefit him at all, and he was doing fine before he changed into a bug.
• Why does Kafka allow Gregor to remain an insect—how does the tragedy of his death, as well as his neglected state, affect Kafka’s overall purpose in the story?
• Why didn’t Gregor have a bigger reaction when he first woke up to discover that he was a bug?
• What is the big picture in this story? What is the message?
• What is the difference between a man who sees himself as a butterfly flying about beautifully and a man who sees himself as a beetle? How does this difference contribute to the story?
o Insects are disposable, and disgusting parts of society
• Did Gregor really die when he initially became an insect?
• Why would Kafka choose Gregor to be turned into a bug? Why was he transformed instead of a different family member?

Tue Dec 12, 11:35:00 AM 2006  
Blogger T Sale said...

Sarah --
I like the comment that grew from the musical you watched; I do think that the story is more about family relationships than about capitalism. There are elements that relate to the working world in general, though not necessarily any particular economic system.

Mon Dec 18, 01:39:00 PM 2006  

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