The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

…One is alone, a perfect stranger to everyone, and merely an object of curiosity. Kafka

Franz Kafka Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia Despised by Czechs because he spoke German Despised by Germans because he was Jewish Troubled by his lack of distinct ethnicity Father: contemptuous and cold Mother: dutiful and obedient to husband Engaged four times; never married Worked at an insurance company; hated his job Wrote at night; tortured by writing process Contracted tuberculosis; died in Vienna, Austria in

What is surrealism? Surrealism is an artistic, philosophical, intellectual and political movement that aimed to break down the boundaries of rationalization to access the imaginative subconscious. First gaining popularity in the 1920s,the approach relies on Freudian psychological concepts. Often reflects alienation.

Surrealist Elements Surrealists adopted Carl Jung’s belief in the universal subconscious: all possess an innate knowledge and understanding of symbolic images. Metaphoric significance to all images Juxtaposition of contrary images Stretching, exaggeration, or distortion of reality Absurd images, tragic, perverse, or comedic

LITERARY TERMS Surrealism Kafkaesque Animalism Allegory Metaphor Symbolism Magical Realism Irony Black Humor

Plot Story starts with Climax The rest of the story is RESOLUTION –Exposition: shown in Part 1 –Rising Action: Starts when Gregor turns into a dung beetle; continues until Part III. –Denouement: begins when Grete demands the family gets rid of Gregor

THEMES Work and Relationships Familial Responsibility Alienation Restriction of Freedom Guilt/Duty to Family Personal identity

Surrealist Art pdelagrange.free.fr flickr.com

Is he or isn’t he? That is the question.