Both the Chief Clerk and Gregor’s father had very different reactions to Gregors metamorphosis. The Chief Clerk is more scared compared to Gregors Father. When the Chief Clerk saw him, “he saw him, nearest to the door, pressing his hand against his open mouth and moving slowly back, as if an invisible constant force was pushing him away.” The Chief was so scared he did not know what to say or what to do. He was frozen in fear. Gregors father is different though, instead of being scared, he was angry. “His father clenched his fist with a hostile expression, as if he wished to push Gregor back into his room, then looked uncertainly around the living room, covered his eyes with his hands, and cried so that his mighty breast shook.” Gregors father doesn’t show any signs of fear or shock when first encountering Gregor after the transformation. In the end the family is happy that Gregor dies. The maid is even happy too that he died.
The Metamorphasis
March 25, 2016 Written by a.sanchez | 5 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
5 responses so far ↓
f.falconite // Mar 25th 2016 at 10:52 pm
In response to a.sanchez,
I also agree with you that the chief was petrified and scared of Gregor’s transformation but I don’t think that it caused him to be frozen. When the chief does see that Gregor had turned into an insect, he is able to back away slowly from Gregor as if to escape. The chief is very fearful of the insect, but in my opinion isn’t frozen. In the chief’s mind, his best bet is to avoid the insect then to stare at him in disbelief. He wants to avoid Gregor at all cost and seems like he never wants to be in his presence again.
j.yusufova // Mar 25th 2016 at 11:29 pm
In response to a.sanchez,
I agree with you that the initial reactions of the chief and the father were that the chief was scared and the father was shocked more than anything else. However, I disagree that the father was not calm and just as shocked as everyone else. Even when he slams the door when Gregor does not fit through it it shows that he does not care but he is annoyed of Gregor’s failures. He is not shocked because he is too preoccupied with anger and disappointment.
s.lau // Mar 26th 2016 at 12:54 am
I agree that the Chief Clerk was definitely afraid of Gregor and the father is actually angry about the transformation. However, I don’t think that the cleaning lady is happy that Gregor is gone. Her reaction is more of “surprise” and “astonishment” at the death of Gregor. The cleaning lady actually is the only one taking care of Gregor and doesn’t really attack him when she goes in his room to clean. She is actually fascinated by Gregor and tries to take a peek at him early in the morning when Gregor does not realize. I believe that her quote, “Have a look, it’s gone and perished it’s lying there, and its perished!” shows bewilderment.
Ivy Liu // Mar 26th 2016 at 1:28 am
I agree that the chief and father had different reactions, but the father was also very shocked. Although he looked calm and collected when Gregor appeared, you can also tell that he was angry. He was angry at the fact that Gregor failed the family.
d.kim5 // Mar 26th 2016 at 4:22 am
I agree with you most part you mentioned above that the Chief Clerk and father reacted very differently on Gregor’s metamorphosis. Also, I agree with you father’s reaction on Gregor’s death. The father was happy about it; actually, the whole family was happy about his death. However, there’s one thing I disagree with you. You said that the maid was also happy about Gregor’s death. However, I think the maid was terrified scared rather than happy about it. She might be happy after his death because she was released so she didn’t need to be a maid anymore. However, she was frightened and terrified when she found that Gregor was not moved at all and finally she noticed that he was dead. That’s why she said, “Have a look, it’s gone and perished.” (239) That’s how I interpreted the maid’s reaction on Gregor’s death.
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