EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES Complete a storyboard for any chapter/scene in The Metamorphosis. I will post a template for this online. (Maximum number: 2) Complete additional multiple-choice questions for The Metamorphosis. I will give these out at the end of the week. (One additional point per correct answer – you will not be penalized for incorrect answers)

Metamorphosis background Part 2

Existentialism – a brief look Focus on the individual’s experience of trying to survive (whether physically or socially) in an uncertain, irrational, absurd, hostile world Man “creates” himself through the choices he makes – he takes responsibility through his free thought and self-determinism Gregor fails b/c of spinelessness (passivity) Themes of isolation, alienation, disillusion…

Beyond good and evil No absolute good or evil in world – Kafka doesn’t judge his characters Lack of guilt put upon father and sister for neglecting (and turning against) Gregor They break away from dependence and become self-sufficient Family shown at end in pleasant light, free from burdens It’s more important that family becomes self-sufficient and free-moving. Gregor dies to lessen burden of himself on his family, and is presented in a bit of a pathetic light – we can’t sympathize too much with him or judge his family too harshly for wanting to be free of the burden he’d become.

The “look” – motivating behavior Being conscious of being perceived by others can be a motivator for what we do Gregor seeks family’s affection/approval Hides himself from his family (so they don’t have to suffer his grotesqueness) In such ways, lets others define him

Escape Gregor desires to escape (motif) Wants to avoid having to make decisions himself (would rather have others do it) Biggest hint of self-determination is when he decides to open the door in Ch. 1 – but he only does this so others can make subsequent decisions for him His eventual physical and mental exhaustion leads to the ultimate escape (death) Other hints of the escape motif can be seen in other characters as well (e.g. mother fainting to avoid having to deal with the situation and forcing others to handle it themselves).

The Absurd and Irrational Subdued reactions from his family are surreal Doesn’t try to explain or justify Gregor’s transformation, but just encourages us to accept this absurd notion We see transformation as logical continuation of changes that had already been happening in Gregor’s life/mind (and that he hadn’t addressed)

style Moved away from sentimentality and romanticism  realism, pragmatic language, avoidance of moral judgments Kafka’s language is plain and efficient Only things Gregor sees as relevant are discussed Judgments are left to reader Characters who should seemingly be condemned in the end aren’t (e.g. father, sister). Not accepting or rejecting, just noting

Translation Many assert the German term “ungeziefer” conveys an idea that’s much more abstract than “insect” Kafka chose a vague term to leave doubt as to whether transformation is physical or symbolic

Literary Conventions and Plot devices Conflict – man vs. society (that has crippled Gregor and turned him into insect) He focuses on social implications of his grotesque transformation, showing he’s a slave to that mentality and can’t even think about himself in a time of personal crisis He’s a failure in society, leading to family’s rejection

Literary Conventions and Plot devices Conflict – man vs. man Against boss, father, sister Conflict – man vs. self Sense of guilt within himself Struggles with his new body and its eventual failure to sustain him Almost all conflicts in story are resolved by his death

Literary Conventions and Plot devices Setting – very limited (mostly bedroom and dining room) which keeps focus on internal issues that Kafka wants to address Also adds to sense of isolation Character types – all are flat but dynamic Flat suggests the family interplay is typical and not specific to these characters Dynamic shows how they can undergo drastic changes (Gregor isn’t the only one experiencing a metamorphosis)

Literary Conventions and Plot devices Anti-Hero – Gregor’s non-action/passivity makes us sympathize at first, but soon becomes a little too much His demise is a lesson for how to avoid this in our lives In Medias Res – beginning a tale in the middle of the action Climax is more when he’s attacked by his father and receives the injury that leads to the denouement

Literary Conventions and Plot devices Objective correlative – reflection of inner self Felt like an insect before (helpless, one of millions, trapped in mindless flow of bureaucratic business world, no purpose but to provide money, etc) With transformation, becomes manifestation of these feelings