Plot events
1. What insect does Gregor Samsa transform into at the beginning of the story?
A beetle
8. Who initially takes care of Gregor after his transformation?
His sister, Grete
11.Name one major theme topic of The Metamorphosis.
Isolation, guilt, duty, or mind vs. body struggle.
17. Which tone best describes Chapter 1? (Critical, Gloomy, Indignant, Detached)
gloomy
Who wrote The Metamorphosis?
Franz Kafka
3. What happens when Gregor first leaves his room?
His family and the clerk are horrified; his father drives him back in
10. How does Gregor react when he hears Grete playing the violin?
He crawls toward her, drawn to the music.
12. What does Grete’s violin symbolize?
Beauty, hope, and human connection.
15. Define “dramatic irony” and give an example from Gregor’s transformation.
Audience knows Gregor is a beetle before family realizes; their reaction is ironic.
20. What is the relationship between Franz Kafka and Gregor Samsa?
Gregor is seen as a reflection of Kafka himself.
4. Why does Gregor hide under the sofa?
He knows his sister doesn’t want to see him when she brings food.
6. How does Gregor’s family change their behavior after his transformation?
They begin working and supporting themselves instead of relying on him.
12. What does the locked door symbolize?
Isolation and separation from family.
16. Define “Kafkaesque.”
Nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical.
19. How is Kafka’s relationship with his father mirrored in the story?
Through Gregor’s strained relationship with his own father.
5. How does Gregor keep up with family events after his transformation?
By listening through the walls to conversations.
How would you describe Gregor’s relationship with his father?
Turbulent and strained.
13. Why does Gregor remain at his job even though he hates it?
Because his parents owe money to his boss.
18. Give an example of a Kafkaesque situation outside this story.
bureaucracy confusion, innocent person charged with a crime, etc.
Why might The Metamorphosis be considered autobiographical?
It reflects Kafka’s feelings of isolation, guilt, and strained family ties.
14. How does the family feel after Gregor’s death?
relieved and happy
7. How did the arrival of the lodgers affect Gregor and his family?
Gregor was cast aside; the lodgers received the family’s attention.
12. Choose one object (lady’s picture, windows, sofa) and explain its symbolic meaning.
picture = clinging to humanity
windows = longing for outside world
sofa = hiding/alienation.
11. How does the struggle between Gregor’s mind and body illustrate a central theme?
It shows the conflict of identity and alienation between his human thoughts and insect body.
What word, derived from Kafka’s writing style, describes nightmarish, illogical situations?
Kafkaesque