great works ii – 2850 jta 12:25-2:05: love letters from the world

1. In “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, Gregor’s transformation into a bug was symbolic to what he was suffering internally.
2. Throughout “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, the reader can see how Gregor’s personal conflict leads to his buggy transformation and eventually his demise.
3. In “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, Gregor’s buggy transformation is an example of how societal pressures cause someone to become isolated and disconnected to the ones around them.

Victoria Barreras

In Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” Gregor, a traveling salesman, wakes up to find out the he has turned into an insect.  Gregor’s receives two different reactions about his new buggy form from his father and the Chief Clerk.   When Gregor finally leaves his room the Chief Clerk is absolutely terrified at the sight of him. Kafka writes that the Chief Clerk, “extended his right hanf fervently in the direction of the stairs, as though some supernatural salvation there awaited him. (218)” The clerk was so scared that he prayed that there would be something, anything to save him and get him out of the house as fast as possible. The clerk ran so fast down the stairs and out of the house that “he took the last few steps at a single bound and disappeared. (219)” As Gregor chased after the Clerk, in attempt to explain himself, the reader sees the father’s reaction towards Gregor. The father is also scared about what his son has become but instead of running he fights back. He attempts to get Gregor back into his room using anything handy (newspaper, brandishing stick). Kafka writes, “His [Gregor] father was moving forward implacably, emitting hissing sounds like a savage. (219)” Gregor later says that his father may have seen his “good intentions” because he didn’t not strike Gregor with his ‘weapons’ rather he attempted to direct him back to his room (220). This is a good example of how people have to make the decision between fight or flight in situations that they feel they may be in danger.

Victoria Barreras

Thesis 1 (topic 5): In Feng Menglong’s narrative, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger”, the reader can see a tension between Du Tenth and Li Jia’s viewpoints on the value of money.

Thesis 2 (own topic): In both Feng Menglong’s, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” and Saikaku’s narrative, “Life of a Sensuous Woman”, the reader can see the impact women can have in men’s lives.

As you read the play, Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen, characters like Hedda standout with unique personality traits. Hedda is extremely manipulative in the way that she takes advantage of the people around her. One example of her trait is when she easily is able to extract information and secrets from whoever she wants to.  In Act 2, you see this when Lovborg talks about secrets he told her and asks “what kind of power was in you that drew these confessions out of me?” (pg 812) Lovborg feels as if she has a control over him and this is how she is able to get secrets. She avoids his questions and answers him with more questions which are also a sign of her manipulative trait. Another example is when she manipulates Lovberg by constantly reminding him of his alcoholism and the loss of his work. She even gives him a gun during his time of weakness so he can commit suicide and to satisfy her boredom. In the 1800s, women did not have any type of power so this could be one of the reasons that Hedda tries so hard to control people. She uses this manipulation to get her power the only way she can and for pure entertainment.

In both Feng Menglong’s, “Du Tenth Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger,” and Saikaku’s narrative, Life of a Sensuous Woman, there are women that have an effect in men’s lives. In Menglong’s story, Du Tenth, a prostitute, finds the love of her life, Li Jia, and they decide that they would be together. Du Tenth’s madam did not like Li because he would take up all of Du Tenth’s time and he had run out of money so he wasn’t able to pay for services. Madam tells Du Tenth, “You go tell the bum: if he’s worth anything let him give me a few ounces of silver and buy you out so you can go off with him. Then I can find another girl that can support me” (Menglong 502). When Li goes and tries to get the money he comes to Du Tenth empty handed. Du Tenth has to give him her savings, half of the money he needed, to help him out. Du Tenth then helps again later when he says that he has no money for traveling expenses and uses some of the things she has in her stationary box to help cover expenses. Li thanks her for all that she has done when he says, “If I had not encountered you, my dear benefactress, I, Li Jia, I would not have been left without even a place to be buried. I will never dare to forget this debt of gratitude as long as I live” (Menglong 508). Li referring to her as a “benefactress” shows how much she really helped him with money and saved him. In Saikaku’s narrative, the narrator also helped men in her life. In the beginning of the story she is approached by two men. They are seeking answers in their lives and come to her for help. One man says, “Neither of us understands the way of sensuous love deeply enough yet” (Saikaku 594). They then ask her to share her stories about the experiences that she has had. She ends up helping these men by teaching them more about life and the world. As you can see both characters contributed to the lives of these men and had a great effect on them.