Answers to “Metamorphosis” questions Essay Example
Answers to “Metamorphosis” questions Essay Example

Answers to “Metamorphosis” questions Essay Example

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  • Pages: 6 (1441 words)
  • Published: August 16, 2017
  • Type: Paper
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The nonchalant attitude towards the transformation suggests the overwhelming power of Fate. Gregor sees no point in panicking as there is nothing he can do to reverse it. The matter-of-fact assertion highlights Gregor's, not Kafka's, approach towards the transformation. Despite its odd calmness, there are multiple explanations for why Gregor handles the change this way.

Gregor's calm demeanor in his current situation may be a result of him choosing to believe it is just a dream, much like how a bug would play dead to avoid danger. Alternatively, he may feel detached and powerless, as though his life is being directed by someone else. As a result, he passively accepts the events happening to him. Kafka likely intended for the mysterious impact of Gregor's transformation on the reader to serve the story rather than focusin

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g on its reason or relevance to the plot. This emphasizes human weakness and lack of control as Gregor also passively accepts other events in his life such as his father's bankruptcy.

According to the text, removing the furniture in Gregor's room would provide him with more space to crawl on both the walls and the floor. However, this action would also suggest that Gregor has abandoned many of his previous human habits, including his attachment to certain objects such as his furniture. Despite this, Gregor does make an effort to salvage his most cherished possession, a picture, as it is the only remaining item left in his room after the removal of his furniture and the confiscation of his fretsaw.

Gregor's past life and emotions are symbolized by the actions of Grete. Calling him by his name indicates that she is startin

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to accept his metamorphosis and has associations with his human past, speaking directly to him for the first time since the change. The symbols used in the story seem more like allegories, with some references to Kafka's life such as the injury from his father that may be represented by the apple. Other symbols help to create a necessary tone for the story, much like literary devices such as a hospital representing sickness and death. The protagonist's concerns are now focused on being able to communicate and master his new body while still maintaining interests in work, food, and his family's love.

5. Adjusting to his new state is still a work in progress. As a result, the idea of needing assistance to get out of bed might seem embarrassing or funny. Additionally, he may not feel prepared to confront his family in that state.
6. However, the crucial point is that he is still residing at home, which is unusual for him since he typically leaves early.

Initially, Gregor's family is more concerned about his job and their authorities' responses than about his wellbeing. When they witness his transformation into a bug, his parents are shocked; his mother nearly faints and falls on the floor, while his father weeps uncontrollably. Such a reaction could have been provoked by Gregor's death, sudden insanity, or decision to leave home. To his parents, the change implies that their son, as they knew and loved him, has passed away.

Visible through the window is a hospital, situated on a tranquil street. Nevertheless, the prevailing weather conditions during this time of year (late autumn to early spring) - perpetual rain

and mist - takes precedence and gives rise to the bleakness of the surroundings.

Gradually, Gregor gains mastery of his new body- learning how to crawl out of bed, move around (even on the ceiling without falling), use his antennae and hide under the couch. However, he struggles with moving backwards and has difficulty getting through doors. Though he used to prefer milk, he now enjoys decayed food and delights in hanging from the ceiling. Despite being unable to support his family and earn them money as he did before, Gregor still loves his family and finds joy in the presence of Grete.

Although Gregor finds comfort in having someone to love, he also experiences great anguish because his feelings are not reciprocated. However, it could be viewed as a form of liberation for him, since he avoids the potential pain of experiencing others' reactions towards his unrequited love.

Despite this, I believe that the transformation serves as a form of liberation for Gregor's parents, as they no longer have to witness their changed son. Meanwhile, Grete dutifully tends to Gregor's needs, not out of love for her brother, but for the sense of significance it gives her within the family. She provides him with food, taking note of his preferences at first, and rigorously cleans his room every day. Tragically, Gregor's deteriorating mental state causes him to eat less frequently and become weaker in stature.

Throughout the section, Gregor's health remains stable until the end when his father throws an apple at him causing injury. Despite this, Gregor's hopes remain centered around his family and their ability to not be burdened by his transformation and have financial

stability. Unfortunately, these hopes and almost all others are impossible for Gregor to influence. He desires to communicate with his sister and regain relevance in the family, but feels powerless to do so.

In section two, Gregor realizes his newfound shape has left him with little power and motivation, rendering his aspirations futile. While he comprehends his vulnerability, he lacks a strong desire to transform back into a human. This development is progress compared to his initial disregard for his family's emotions towards his metamorphosis. Rather than feeling shame for his appearance, Gregor lovingly attempts to communicate with his mother in his new insect voice.

Gregor is now aware of a transformation that has occurred. Despite feeling like a trapped monster in his room, Gregor's mother still sees him as "old" Gregor, while his father seems angry about the switch of roles in the family. As Gregor can no longer take care of them and instead stays home all day, his father chases him around and attempts to harm him with apples. The rest of his family fears him, including Grete.

For 15 years, the father has been using his son as a slave and treating him inferiorly. But now that Gregor is no longer useful to him, the father's anger and bitterness are revealed, causing him to break free. The charwoman possesses mixed feelings towards Gregor; she is both curious and entertained by his presence while also feeling hostile and slightly scared of him. If he gets too close, she would enjoy killing him. When it comes to the "funeral," she takes pleasure in looking after it since she has zero emotional attachment to Gregor's body

other than curiosity, assuming her employers will appreciate it.

Although feeling grief over the death of Gregor, which they view as a postponed sorrow for his metamorphosis, the family remains repulsed by his appearance. While the lodgers serve as partial replacements for Gregor and generate additional income akin to him, there are notable dissimilarities in their treatment and conduct. The lodgers do not function as substitutes for Gregor, unlike the sons of the older Samsas or Grete's brothers. The family endures the lodgers not solely for financial gain but also due to their prolonged despondency and mounting apathy towards any humiliation inflicted upon them by the lodgers.

Gregor's father compels them to depart as the family has discovered a fresh start and considers Gregor's death as an almost rejuvenation, and henceforth will not bear any disrespectful behavior. Gregor perceives a connection between him and his sister through her violin playing, which may not be apparent to others. Moreover, music is a universal language that Gregor no longer finds unfamiliar; instead, the sentiments triggered by music prove that he is still human.

Gregor is beginning to doubt his identity and humanity. He could be fooling himself with the idea of "The unknown nourishment", which offers the prospect of receiving love and comprehension from his sister, as well as finding a way to escape loneliness. Nonetheless, his sister wants to stress that he is no longer human. She is attempting to persuade both herself and her parents that he is just an emotionless insect, and that the genuine Gregor has already perished for the family.

By quelling any positive feelings that she might still have for Gregor, it is a

way to shut down her conscience. The final passages depict a happy and elated mood, as they highlight the family's newfound freedom and how Gregor's death has marked the start of a new life.

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