Answers to "Metamorphosis" questions.

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Linda Lapina

English A1

Answers to “Metamorphosis” questions

  1. To me, this indifferent approach is another hint at the all-powerful Fate – as nothing can be done to reverse the transformation, there is no use for Gregor to panic. I perceive that this “matter-of-fact assertion” is more intended to show Gregor’s, not Kafka’s attitude towards the transformation, and there are several explanations to the odd calmness with which Gregor approaches the change. He might be cold-bloodedly trying to believe that this is still a dream; if so, why panic? Also, his serenity might be a special way of hiding from reality- like a bug plays dead when it is in danger to remain unharmed, Gregor might have also been “playing dead” (showing no emotion). Another explanation might be that this is Gregor’s usual attitude to life- he has so long felt detached, so few things and so few decisions being his own, that he does not anymore see everything happening to him as his own life; it is actually like a movie directed by somebody else, with him merely a simultaneous watcher and role player. Therefore, Gregor does not worry when something happens “in the movie”; he has long ago lost the feeling of his life really happening to him.

However, I still tend to think that this is a way for Kafka to stress the weakness of man and inability to oppose one’s destiny – Gregor passively accepts his transformation, as he has accepted numerous other events before (his father’s bankrupt and its consequences, for example). I am not interested in how the transformation happened because I think the mysterious effect and also solemnity that it has upon the reader now are what Kafka intended and good for the story. Besides, it does not seem that substantial for the story.

  1. The room would be more comfortable for Gregor without the furniture; he could crawl freely on the walls and floor. On the other hand, it would indicate that Gregor has lost much of his inner human self- he would have given up his entire furniture (remains of his human routine in the past) for a more comfortable insect present.
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Gregor tries to save the picture because it is his most beloved property that is still in his room (fretsaw is taken); he has to choose what to try and save, and the picture is small enough. It kind of symbolises Gregor’s past life and emotions.

Grete might be calling Gregor by name because 1) she is starting to accept the metamorphosis- that her brother has really turned into an insect; 2) she has associations with his human past as she speaks to him directly for the first time since the metamorphosis.

  1. To me, these symbols (except the ...

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