Metamorphosis Discussion Quetions
Metamorphosis Discussion Questions
1. Kafka created an impossible situation to emphasize the extremity of existentialism. He wanted to make it inherently obvious that he was writing as an existentialist. By using an extreme situation it is easier to isolate the beliefs of existentialists. By using realism we are able to relate to the characters and apply the philosophy to our everyday lives.
His intense attention to detail helps to set the mood of the story and to develop our thoughts. By being so detailed he forces us to see things his way. He uses small details to show us exactly how Gregor and the family are feeling.
2. Kafka is vague about the type of bug Victor is to allow us to develop our own “version” of the story. Knowing what type of bug Gregor is isn’t crucial to the story. Different insects have a different effect on readers. If Kafka would have said that Gregor was a cockroach and a certain reader happened to think cockroaches were really cool then that reader would not be appalled by Gregor. By saying simply that Gregor changed into a monstrous vermin all readers are able to have a similar reaction.
3. When Gregor first turns into an insect his family is terrified and only leaves food when Gregor is asleep. Grete had left him all of his favorite human foods which he was repulsed by as a bug. The next day Grete comes in only when Gregor is hiding under the couch. Grete brought in an assortment of foods in order to determine what Gregor would like. Grete swept Gregor’s entire room and fed him twice every day. Grete decided to take out the unnecessary furniture from Gregor’s room to give him more crawling space. Once Grete begins to realize that Gregor is not going to become human again and gets a job she becomes too preoccupied to take care of Gregor in the same manner she previously had. She feeds him less and she cleans quickly. The family put their extra stuff in Gregor’s room.
1. Kafka created an impossible situation to emphasize the extremity of existentialism. He wanted to make it inherently obvious that he was writing as an existentialist. By using an extreme situation it is easier to isolate the beliefs of existentialists. By using realism we are able to relate to the characters and apply the philosophy to our everyday lives.
His intense attention to detail helps to set the mood of the story and to develop our thoughts. By being so detailed he forces us to see things his way. He uses small details to show us exactly how Gregor and the family are feeling.
2. Kafka is vague about the type of bug Victor is to allow us to develop our own “version” of the story. Knowing what type of bug Gregor is isn’t crucial to the story. Different insects have a different effect on readers. If Kafka would have said that Gregor was a cockroach and a certain reader happened to think cockroaches were really cool then that reader would not be appalled by Gregor. By saying simply that Gregor changed into a monstrous vermin all readers are able to have a similar reaction.
3. When Gregor first turns into an insect his family is terrified and only leaves food when Gregor is asleep. Grete had left him all of his favorite human foods which he was repulsed by as a bug. The next day Grete comes in only when Gregor is hiding under the couch. Grete brought in an assortment of foods in order to determine what Gregor would like. Grete swept Gregor’s entire room and fed him twice every day. Grete decided to take out the unnecessary furniture from Gregor’s room to give him more crawling space. Once Grete begins to realize that Gregor is not going to become human again and gets a job she becomes too preoccupied to take care of Gregor in the same manner she previously had. She feeds him less and she cleans quickly. The family put their extra stuff in Gregor’s room.