Historical information about the period of publication
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| Title: The Metamorphosis
Author: Franz Kafka Date of Publication: 1915 Genre: Novella Historical information about the period of publication: • Allied blockage of Germany • US rejects proposal for women’s suffrage • WWI- Germany uses poison gas against Russians • Planet Pluto is first photographed • Lusitania is sunk by German u-boat • WWI- Italy joins allies and declares war on Austria- Hungary • First prototype tank tested for British Army Biographical Information: Franz Kafka was born in Prague, Czech in 1883 to an upper middle class Jewish family. As a result of the family’s problems, Kafka was raised mostly by a nurse and his sister, Ottla. He attended college where he began to write and received his doctorate in jurisprudence in 1906. He became a lawyer at the Worker’s Insurance Co. Many of his works reflect his feelings about his father and sister. Kafka wrote 7 works, all short stories. The Metamophosis was published in 1915. In 1917 he discovered that he had tuberculosis and he died in 1924. His friend Max Brod published his unfinshed works.
story. Uses characteristics of existential and absurd literature. Plot Summary: Gregor Samsa is the sole bread winner for the Samsa family. One morning after awakening from a dream, he finds that he has turned into a coachroach. Because of this incinvenience, Gregor does not go to work and immediately his parents are knocking at his door asking for an explanantion. His boss also comes to request that he return to work immediately. His sister, Grete, leaves food and tries to converse with him but he finds fresh food repulsive. The previously unemployed members of his family begin to work and take care of themselves as they begin to ignore Gregor. They take in boarders who are listening to Grete play violin one evening and Gregor is attracted to the music. His father throws an apple at him to get him to leave the room and it lodges in his back and rots. Finally Gregor dies and the maid throws his carcuss away with the garbage.
Kafka’s style is ironic and understated as shown in his calm treatment of the absurd circumstances of Gregor’s situation. The point of view is third person limited as most events are as Gregor observes them. Existential influence is clearly visible throughout the work as the roles or Gregor and his family are reinvented as they attempt to react to absurd chaos in a “normal” manner.
When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin. SIGNIFICANCE Sets the stage for the novel as well as presents the casual tone carried throughout. QUOTE He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone. SIGNIFICANCE Thought of Gregor regarding himself-helps explain why he believes he is a roach, his feelings of life. QUOTE “Did you understand a word?... That was the voice of an animal,” said the manager in a tone conspicuously soft... SIGNIFICANCE Expresses others’ confusion but not aversion towards Gregor’s voice. QUOTE And it was like a confirmation of their new dreams...their daughter got up first and stretched her young body. SIGNIFICANCE The last line shows the family moving on without Gregor and growing in his absence. QUOTE Gregor’s serious wound, from which he suffered over a month--the apple remained imbedded...since no one dared removed it. SIGNIFICANCE His family’s growing apathy towards Gregor QUOTE He felt integrated into human society once again and hoped for marvelous, amazing feats both from the doctor/locksmith, without distinguishing sharply between them. SIGNIFICANCE Last bit of hope Gregor has to be human, then resigns himself to being a roach. QUOTE ...it was a commandment of family duty to swallow their disgust and endure him...endure him and nothing more... SIGNIFICANCE The family only tolerates his presence, they are tired of him, another indication he is only crazy and not a live giant cockroach. Characters Gregor Samsa- Traveling salesman, main character; Wakes up as a bug, but is more concerned with providing for the family; helpless, concerned Mr. Samsa- Gregor’s father; resents Gregor and ends up killing him; tired, old, dependent Mrs. Samsa- Gregor’s mother; she never accepts Gregor’s transformation and holds on to the hope that he will return to his normal state; soft-spoken, concerned Grete Samsa- Gregor’s sister; She takes care of Gregor, however, distaste for his condition contributes largely to his death; caring, fearless The Chief Clerk- Gregor’s manager; says Gregor was missing work because he was stealing from the company; mean, suspicious The Cleaning Lady- maid at Samsas; makes fun of Gregor and puts his body in the trash when he dies; curious, mean-spirited The 3 lodgers- temporary residents at the Samsas; rent rooms to bring in money for the family; arrogant, insensitive SETTING Early 1900’s in a European country (WWI) Samsa household, Gregor’s bedroom
Apple in back- original sin, source of evil, knowledge Gregor’s room- imprisonment The Boot- authority The Metamorphosis- Gregor’s alienation from his world Insect- Gregor’s insignificance POSSIBLE THEMES Isolation Rejection Alienation Death/Rebirth Dead end employment SIGNIFICANCE OF OPENING SCENE The first sentence reflects the absurdity of the situation (Gregor as a cockroach) and the equally absurd situation of Gregor and the family attempting to react in a normal manner. SIGNIFICANCE OF ENDING SCENE By having the maid carelessly throwing Gregor’s carcuss into the garbage as Grete emerges “stretching out in her new body” the metamorphosis is complete for both. Gregor’s value to his family and as a person is gone as Grete’s is elevated. OLD AP QUESTIONS # 3, 9, 20 |