The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka gifted writer intense personality riddled with self-doubt, guilt “I am separated from all things by a hollow space, and I do not even reach to its boundaries.”

cultural and religious issues unsettled love life Franz Kafka family tensions father / son issues cultural and religious issues unsettled love life

The Metamorphosis variety of interpretations bizarre / uniqueness symbols, allusions and metaphors galore

3rd person, limited omniscient Point – of - View 3rd person, limited omniscient

A few themes… alienation (from one’s family, society, work, body, etc.) dehumanization / the human condition in the modern world conflict between freedom and responsibility

familial obligation chronic illness or disability psychological neurosis (Freud) existential philosophy (Sarte)

EXISTENTIALISM A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe. It regards human existence as unexplainable and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

The early Soren Kierkegaard is 19th century philosopher regarded as the father of existentialism. maintained that the individual is solely responsible for giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including despair, angst, absurdity, alienation, and boredom.

I stick my finger into existence---It smells of nothing. Where am I I stick my finger into existence---It smells of nothing. Where am I? What is this thing called the world? Who is it who has lured me into the thing, and now leaves me here? How did I come into the world? Why was I not consulted? -Soren Kierkegaard

“ I was walking along a path with two friends — the sun was setting — suddenly the sky turned blood red — I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence — there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city — my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety — and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature.” -Edvurd Munch

Discussion Why an insect of sorts? Why was Kafka not more specific? Reason for Gregor’s transformation? Gregor’s reaction to his predicament The family’s reaction to Gregor’s change Physical vs. Psychological – was this an outer or inter transformation? Would Gregor rather be a bug than a human being? The purpose of the lodgers? The apple in Gregor’s back Existentialism The state of Gregor’s room. Theme of adolescence Distorted view or priorities The climax (what is it?) Goldfarb annotation – your comments. Discussion

Table Discussion Revisit the plot; refresh your memory about what happened. Self-directed book talk. Ask questions of each other; discuss what you think worthy of discussion. Share and discuss excerpts/quotes. See handout: Reading Pointers for Sharper Insights. Discuss any “Points for Discussion” prompts that you find interesting.