Metaporphosis
Post your comments about Kafka's "Metamorphosis" here.
posted by T Sale at 10:35 AM
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
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- King Henry IV -- Act 5, Scene 5
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- Henry IV, Act IV, scene 2
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2 Comments:
• 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?
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.
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