–Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
–How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
–At the end of the second section of the story, Gregor’s father pelts him with apples. What do you think this episode is about?
–Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
–Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
–Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
I think that Gregor is more powerful before his metamorphosis because Gregor had held a position of authority and was the breadwinner of his family but his power became limited to provide for them. After Gregor transformed into an insect he loses physical power but disrupts the power dynamics within his family which forces them to confront their dependence on him. Gregors metamorphosis reveal an underlying tension and challenge within his family, making him more influential in a subtle but direct way.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
I believe that Gregor was more powerful AFTER his metamorphosis because he had way more of an effect on his family after his metamorphosis. Before his metamorphosis he lived a very boring life, after we see how what he does causes more change in his families life and how boarders need to move in to support the family and he is forced to stay in his room. Although he was a roach and people looked down at him he had the power of change in his house and towards his family.
Hi Sanel,
I agree with you. I also think that Gregor is more powerful AFTER metamorphosis. I know that at first glance it looks like he is more powerful before because of his job and finances; however, after metamorphosis he had more responsibility for himself. I think he gained a different strength. As we also discussed in class, a cockroach was almost impossible to kill. So, now he couldn’t be “killed”, while before he had given up on his life to the needs of his family.
–Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
I think the metamorphosis means to show Gregor’s own personal feelings inside. The transformation goes to represent the feeling of isolation and alienation and this was something that Gregor was already feeling but it was speed up by him turning into a bug. Being a bug is something repulsive and something everyone views with disgust even Gregor’s own family viewed him as such even though he had helped them for so long. I think the story’s meaning was meant to show the author Kafka’s feelings on not being able to connect and interact with other people.
–Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
I think Gregor is more powerful after his metamorphosis because
he is regarded by his family more than before, albeit in a way that he doesn’t like. Before the metamorphoses, he lived a miserable life, where despite being a sales director he didn’t feel fulfilled, and it is at the very end of the text that he makes us understand his strong sense of having been used, of no value. His father tried to kill him several times, failing in each attempt, just as we try at home with any insect and fail many times.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Gregor was definitely more powerful before the metamorphosis. Physically he’s probably faster and more imposing as a cockroach, but he had more authority, people respected him more- notably his family. His family began to slowly despise him afterwards, and he became more and more ashamed of himself. Gregor was never perfect, he was a workaholic who was underperforming at work, but he had confidence and some respect by those around him. It’s really a shame.
My apologies, I completely forgot this response. I saw it when checking the essay prompt above this on the feed.
–How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
Gregors’ family transforms in many ways in the wake of his metamorphosis. When we first Gregor and his family we understand that Gregor is the person in the family that is bringing in the money. Gregors father doesnt work he just lays around in his robe and is quite unfit. Gregors sister Greta also does not work as she goes to school and enjoys her young life. By the end of The Metamorphosis, Gregors’ family structure becomes more traditional, with his father taking control as head of household and becoming financially responsible for the family. Grete also becomes more uncaring towards Gregor as a roach when before this all started they were very close and Grete would have done and did do anything for Gregor.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
There’s several factors that play into Gregor’s death, both physical and mental. First of all, he is physically injured from the rotten apple which has been inflaming his back. Additionally, the mental load of being different and ostracized from the family took a huge toll. In the scene right before his death, his family, starting with his sister, was talking about the need to get “rid of it.” They no longer saw Gregor as a human being, much less a part of the family. As a result, he himself thought he needed to disappear. And at that moment, he gave up on everything. However, even as he was dying, Gregor “thought back on his family with devotion and love.” It was truly an unfair death. He had dedicated his whole life to supporting his family, but this is how they ended up treating him. At the same time, however, dying might be better than to continue living as a “vermin” that everyone despises.
Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
The significance of music in this scene is that music is the only thing part of the human world that Gregor can hold onto. Since Gregor can hear and feel emotions towards the music shows that part of him is still human. Gregor realizes that he is the only one in the room who appreciates the music and becomes very desperate and obsessed over the source of the music which is his sister and I see this as Gregor not just becoming obsessive over his sister but becoming that way for his humanity.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
At the end of the day, Gregor’s metamorphosis was the eventual cause of his downfall. Of course his missing presence after his change showed how much the family relied on him, but ultimately it was useless when Gregor has no control of himself after his change. The reality is that Gregor really never had power, it was either leech or be leeched. I think Overall, the metamorphosis criticizes society in a way that it destroys working class people and people like Gregor will forever be in debt to the people above.