The chief clerk and Gregor’s father react differently when they discover Gregor’s transformation. The clerk has a normal humanlike reaction while Gregor’s father demonstrates an unfatherly behavior. The chief clerk “turned his back on Gregor…his trembling shoulder” (218). This reaction of the clerk can be seen as normal because most people would be stunned when they see a monstrous cockroach. Before Gregor could approach the clerk, the clerk was already in the hallway, trying to avoid such shocking sight. Gregor’s father, on the other hand, “remained relatively calm…grabbed a large newspaper from the table, and, by stamping his feet and brandishing stick and newspaper, attempted to drive Gregor back into his room” (219). While the clerk and the other family members react in a “normal” humanlike way, the father responds with anger. The father is more worried about the the finances of the family and thus he does not realize Gregor’s injury from the door. Through this violent act of the father, the audience can assume that Gregor and his father has a bad father-son relationship.
Assignment 8 – Rose Kim
November 6, 2015 Written by y.kim | 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
2 responses so far ↓
s.kazinets // Nov 6th 2015 at 5:19 pm
I see what you mean about the different reactions, to me however I feel like the father did react in a humanlike way. They all had a certain reaction to what has happened to Gregor but his was just more aggressive about it, and I think it speaks to the person that he is. It wasn’t like he immediately charged at his son, but I almost feel like maybe it was anger as to “WHY” did this happen to my son. Why was his song transformed in this creature that he seems before his eyes. I actually wish I put that into my respond but I do think that the father’s reaction is a “normal” way to react. He did start clinching his fists but that’s his way of dealing with something he does not know.
JMERLE // Nov 7th 2015 at 4:28 pm
Rose,
Yes, this is a central difference, and I especially like how you emphasize the “normal” reaction of the chief clerk, which I think is a very appropriate observation on your part, and one that points to more important issues in this narrative, as to how both family and society react to the problems of the individual. As well, you note that a large issue is the connection between the father and son, and we’ll discuss this more deeply in class together.
Nice job,
10/10