Questions 1-6
Define the word kafkaesque and explain what makes The Metamorphosis a perfect example of that word.
In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, the term "kafkaesque" describes an unsettling, absurd, and nightmarish reality, often marked by alienation and hopelessness. *The Metamorphosis* is a prime example of this concept, as it portrays Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a giant insect and his subsequent rejection by society and his own family.
From Gregor’s point of view, what might be some positive aspects of his metamorphosis into an insect?
While Gregor’s new insect form is a curse, it offers some relief from societal expectations, allowing him to see things from a new perspective.
How is Gregor wounded at the end of Part II? What symbolic significance might the object that wounds him have?
At the end of Part II, Gregor is wounded by an apple thrown by his father, which lodges painfully in his back. The apple symbolizes the betrayal and hostility he feels from his family, particularly from his father, who should have been his protector. The apple also evokes the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, symbolizing Gregor’s "fall from grace" within his family and the shift from being the provider to a burden, highlighting his alienation.
How does Gregor react to his sister’s violin playing in Part III? What might the music represent within the story?
Gregor is deeply moved by Grete’s violin playing, feeling a rare sense of connection and nostalgia for his former life. The music represents a reminder of his humanity and his desire for emotional closeness, which he has lost since his transformation. His reaction suggests that, despite his physical form, he retains a longing for the beauty and intimacy he once shared with his family.
How do “AVOMWEW” and The Metamorphosis comment upon humanity and dehumanization?
Both AVOMWEW and The Metamorphosis depict humanity’s tendency to dehumanize what it cannot understand. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s family perceives him as a burden once he loses his human form, stripping him of his identity. In AVOMWEW, the angel is treated as a sideshow rather than a sentient being, reflecting humanity’s lack of empathy and inclination to exploit.
Discuss the ways Kafka’s personal alienation is paralleled metaphorically in the events of The Metamorphosis.
Kafka’s personal experiences with alienation are metaphorically paralleled in Gregor’s isolation; just as Kafka felt estranged from his own family and society, Gregor is isolated in his own home, eventually seen as a burden.
Explain the symbolism of Gregor’s bedroom door.
His bedroom door symbolizes the barrier between him and the outside world, marking the physical and emotional separation from his family.
What is the role of poverty in “AVOMWEW?” Who is poor? How does being poor change their attitude toward the “angel?”
In “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” (AVOMWEW), poverty plays a central role in shaping the characters’ perspectives and motivations. Pelayo and Elisenda, the impoverished couple, initially view the angel with a mixture of awe and suspicion. However, as they realize he can attract visitors, they exploit him to escape poverty. Their desperation and need for financial security drive them to treat the angel as a commodity rather than a miraculous being, revealing how poverty can erode empathy and foster opportunism.
How does “AVOMWEW” and The Metamorphosis comment upon humanity? Who is human in these stories and who isn't? What qualifies someone as human?
Both AVOMWEW and The Metamorphosis explore the theme of dehumanization. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor is no longer seen as human by his family after his transformation, despite his internal consciousness and emotions. In AVOMWEW, the angel, although appearing otherworldly, embodies human suffering and dignity. Humanity in these stories is defined by empathy and recognition of others’ dignity; characters who fail to offer compassion or connection lose their humanity, regardless of physical form.
Be able to write a theme for The Metamorphosis and AVOMWEW.
A theme for both The Metamorphosis and AVOMWEW could be: “Isolation and alienation reveal the true nature of human connections, often exposing self-interest and a lack of empathy.”
What type of irony is used most in The Metamorphosis, and to what effect?
The story primarily uses situational irony, where Gregor’s role as the family provider is dramatically reversed after his transformation, highlighting the fragility of his familial bonds.
What circumstances in Gregor’s life might have caused him to feel dehumanized even before the metamorphosis took place?
Even before his transformation, Gregor’s grueling job and lack of personal life contributed to his dehumanization.
Be able to read a passage and identify the imagery techniques used (simile, metaphor, personification, adjective/adverb, word choice).
In analyzing a passage, look for techniques like similes, which compare two things using "like" or "as"; metaphors, which assert that one thing is another; personification, which attributes human qualities to non-human elements; and word choice, which includes the use of descriptive adjectives and adverbs. These techniques help to evoke vivid imagery, highlight emotions, and deepen the thematic elements within the text.
Can we blame Gregor’s family for his death? Why or why not?
While Gregor’s family plays a role in his deterioration, it may be overly simplistic to place sole blame on them. Their reaction stems from their own fear, exhaustion, and inability to empathize with Gregor’s plight. However, their neglect and eventual hostility toward Gregor certainly exacerbate his suffering, suggesting that their lack of compassion contributes to his tragic end.
Be able to identify 2 archetypes in The Metamorphosis and explain their role in the story.
In The Metamorphosis, Gregor represents the sacrificial scapegoat, as he bears the burdens of his family’s wellbeing until his death. Grete initially fulfills the nurturer archetype, caring for Gregor, but ultimately shifts into the betrayer, as she advocates for his removal from the family.
How does Gregor feel about his job? What evidence in the story reveals his feelings?
Initially, Gregor resents his dehumanizing job, feeling trapped and unappreciated; this is evident when he dreads waking up each day to fulfill obligations he finds oppressive and monotonous. His metamorphosis ironically offers a twisted freedom from work, though at the cost of his humanity and family acceptance.
What does Gregor’s father reveal about the family’s true financial status? What is Gregor’s reaction when he learns the truth about their finances?
His realization of his family's concealed finances shocks him, as he recognizes the sacrifices he made unnecessarily.
Identify one motif in The Metamorphosis and explain how it relates to the story’s theme.
A recurring theme in The Metamorphosis is confinement, shown through Gregor’s room and his inability to leave it. This idea highlights the story’s focus on isolation and feeling cut off from others, as Gregor becomes trapped not just physically but also socially and emotionally. His confinement emphasizes how he becomes separated from his family and society, changing from a human who provided for his family to a neglected and isolated creature.
What effect does Gregor’s metamorphosis ultimately have on his family? What does this effect suggest about his relationship with his family?
Gregor’s metamorphosis ultimately forces his family to become self-sufficient. This transformation frees them from dependence on Gregor, but it also exposes the weak foundations of their familial bonds. His relationship with them appears conditional; once he is unable to provide, they view him as dispensable, highlighting the fragile and transactional nature of their love.
Discuss the role of existentialism or absurdism within The Metamorphosis and explain how the different philosophical points of view change how we (the readers) understand the story.
Existentialism and absurdism permeate The Metamorphosis, as Gregor’s transformation symbolizes the randomness and meaninglessness of life. These philosophies suggest that Gregor’s suffering is not the result of any higher purpose but rather an arbitrary twist of fate, challenging readers to question the traditional search for meaning and to confront the indifferent nature of existence.
What is Gregor’s role in his family? Why does he have so much responsibility? How does his role change during the course of the story?
In his family, Gregor bears the heavy responsibility of financial support, as his father is indebted and dependent on him. However, after his transformation, his role diminishes, exposing the family's true financial situation and their capability to survive without him.
Discuss two ways in which magical realism is different than a typical fairytale or fable.
Magical realism differs from typical fairy tales or fables in several ways:
Integration of the Supernatural with Reality: In magical realism, magical elements are seamlessly woven into a realistic setting, treated as ordinary parts of everyday life. This differs from fairy tales or fables, where magical events often occur in far-off kingdoms or enchanted forests, and magic is seen as extraordinary or separated from reality.
Lack of Moral Lesson: Unlike fables, which often carry a clear moral message or lesson, magical realism doesn't aim to teach a moral lesson. Instead, it explores complex, sometimes ambiguous themes and reflects the characters' inner lives.
A person changed into an animal, or vice versa, is a common theme of fairy tales. In what ways is The Metamorphosis similar to fairy tales you know? In what ways is it different?
The Metamorphosis shares similarities with fairy tales that involve transformations, such as Beauty and the Beast, where a character's change symbolizes internal struggles. However, unlike fairy tales, The Metamorphosis lacks a hopeful resolution. Instead of transformation leading to enlightenment or redemption, Gregor’s change highlights existential despair and the breakdown of familial bonds, making the story a darker, more tragic take on the transformation theme.
Name 3 ways in which we see Gregor lose his humanity in the story.
Throughout The Metamorphosis, Gregor loses his humanity in various ways: physically, as he transforms into an insect; emotionally, as his family distances themselves; and socially, as he becomes isolated from society. His gradual acceptance of his new form and loss of hope in reconnecting with his family signify a complete estrangement from his former human self.
Argue that The Metamorphosis and “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” are both part of the magical realism genre.
Both The Metamorphosis and AVOMWEW belong to magical realism as they blend realistic settings with fantastical elements: Gregor’s unexplained transformation into an insect and the appearance of an old man with wings. These surreal elements are presented in a matter-of-fact way, allowing readers to explore deeper themes of alienation and humanity within a grounded, familiar world.
What happens to Gregor when he leaves his room to meet the office manager? What does this episode reveal about Gregor’s father?
When he emerges from his room to meet his office manager, his father reacts with hostility, pushing him back, revealing both the father’s aggression and disappointment in Gregor’s change.
What is Gregor’s response when Grete decides to remove the furniture from his room? What does this response tell you about his state at that point?
In The Metamorphosis, Gregor reacts with confusion and acceptance when Grete decides to remove the furniture from his room. He feels more disconnected from his family, especially as Grete, who once took care of him, starts to treat him like a burden. Gregor's wish to keep the furniture, particularly the picture on the wall, shows he still clings to his past life as a human. However, his inability to communicate or stand up for himself reveals how his transformation has left him powerless, highlighting his emotional and mental decline.
Why, and in what ways, does Grete’s attitude toward Gregor change throughout the book?
At first, Grete is sympathetic toward Gregor, caring for him and bringing him food. Over time, however, her patience wanes, and she grows resentful, viewing him as a burden. Her shift reflects her adaptation to a new role as the family’s provider and her frustration with Gregor’s condition, ultimately leading her to dehumanize him and advocate for his removal, which symbolizes her emotional detachment and self-preservation.
List three symbols in The Metamorphosis and explain their role and significance in the story.
Three symbols in The Metamorphosis include the apple, which represents betrayal and Gregor’s fall from familial grace; Gregor’s room, symbolizing confinement and isolation; and Grete’s violin, symbolizing a remnant of Gregor’s human connection and his longing for beauty and acceptance.
What does money symbolize in both AVOMWEW and The Metamorphosis?
In both AVOMWEW and The Metamorphosis, money symbolizes security and societal value. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s role as the family provider grants him worth, which vanishes after his transformation. In AVOMWEW, the townspeople’s financial desperation leads them to exploit the angel, showing how poverty can strip individuals of empathy and morality.