Metamorphosis - Language

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Metamorphosis Language

The main factor to the language is the fact that Gregor has a lot of lines, but yet none of these are understood by his family and so they have no impact on what they say. The rest of the family speak to Gregor as though they don’t hear the words he’s saying, as though they’re just screeches and screams. Gregor’s character is given lines purely for the benefit of the audience, because in the play, he isn’t actually able to speak.

Gregor: [crying out -  a guttural voice - a creature less than human - his words become less and less distinguishable to them. They all rush to the door.] Sir, I’m just going to open the door - this very minute…slight illness - an attack of giddiness - kept me in my bed - getting up now - just a moment longer - sudden attack - be as right as rain soon - no foundations in you reports - no-one said anything to me - obviously you haven’t looked at my last order - spare my parents - I’ll catch the next eight o’clock train - don’t let me detain you - please make my excuses to the Chief.

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[Image - total family confusion - figures twist and whirl around each other like a frenetic dance.]

Clerk: [rushing downstage - family’s movement becomes faster and faster as confusion breaks loose.] Did you make out a word of it - is he trying to make fools of us?

Gregor’s language is very informal, it is almost as though he’s speaking in bullet points, missing out words because he’s talking so fast and trying so hard to explain, when they can’t actually hear anything he says as actual words. His language changes as the play goes on, he becomes more calm and ...

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