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

Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” and Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” are connected in that both stories have this theme of being trapped. In “Allegory of the Cave”, the prisoners have been trapped in this cave for so long that it is literally the only thing in the world that is real to them. They have no conception of the outside world. Even when one of the prisoners escaped and saw what the world really looked like, the rest of the prisoners didn’t believe him because they have been trapped in this cave so long. This compares well to Gregor’s situation because toward the end of “The Metamorphosis”, Gregor accepts the fact that he is trapped in a roach’s body and there isn’t anything that he can do about it at that point. ” ‘What now?’ wondered Gregor, and looked around in the dark. He soon made the discovery he could no longer move. It seemed inexplicable that he had been able to get as far as he had on his frail little legs. Otherwise, he felt as well as could be expected.” (pg.239). It is clear that Gregor has accepted the reality that he will be trapped as a cockroach forever.

-Muneeb Khan

Isolation is shown throughout Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” and Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”. In Kafka’s story you see the isolation when Gregor is in his room for most of the time after his change. As well in Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” the group of people that are living in this cave as isolated from society. I believe that these two stories definitely are very similar when speaking of isolation. Even though they both compare when bringing up isolation they could also be very different. In Kafka’s story Gregor takes the isolation in a positive way. Unlike in Plato’s allegory it says “However, one man breaks free from his chains and runs out of the cave.” From reading this it shows that the man is escaping the isolation and leaving the isolation is taken positive. Gregor seems to like the isolation and starts to enjoy it. Even though he isn’t who he is but the fact that a lot of the pressure of trying to provide for his family is not on him anymore.

NICOLE &TARA

The Metamorphosis can be connected to Allegory of the Cave by relating Gregor to one of the prisoners in the cave. The last few pages of The Metamorphosis speaks on the death of Gregor and how his family neglected him. His open mindedness to accept life for what it is and how crazy it seems is similar to the prisoner who sees the shadow of the birds and escapes to see reality. Both readings describe dark places where they experience being uncomfortable. On page 239 of The Metamorphosis Gregor describes his experience being locked in a room. “ What now?” wondered Gregor, and looked around in the dark. He soon made the discovery that he could no longer move.” Gregor experiences a trapped feeling that the prisoner also experiences in his cave. Both readings also look for the reality of life. Gregor goes to work and accepts the reaction of the clerks and is okay with either outcome. The prisoner escapes the prison after seeing the shadows and finds that there are in fact real animals outside of the cave.

Tara:

Kafka’s Metamorphosis can be compared to Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in that Gregor’s family is similar to the prisoners in the cave who refused to accept reality. Gregor’s family found their son had become a cockroach, and this was not a complete shock to them. As the story goes on Gregor dies after being mistreated by his family for quite some time, and they still were not distraught over losing their son. Once they discovered Gregor’s dead body the family is described as “ Sitting back, comfortable in their seats, they discussed the prospects of their future; it turned out that on a closer inspection these were not all bad,” (241). This description can be compared to the prisoners in the Allegory of the Cave because his family clearly realized Gregor had died, yet their first instinct was to discuss the future. Like the prisoners Gregor’s family did not want to accept the truth that Gregor was dead, they wanted to continue living their lives as if they did not just suffer a great loss.

In “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato, the theme is ignorance which compares to the ending of  “The Metamorphosis”. First off in “Allegory of the Cave” one of the prisoners goes out into the real world for the first time and when he comes back and tells his mates they get angry at him for believing other wise and seeing more as if it is a crime to be optimistic. In “The Metamorphosis” Gregor whom has gotten comfortable with his new transformation,but his family who didn’t care to ask what happened, weren’t . Instead of accepting him his family wants him gone. “You just have to put it from your mind any thought that it’s Gregor.” (pg.238). So this indicates what the family is trying to tell themselves, they know its Gregor but they choose not to see it. Just like the prisoners who have the truth right in front of them and choose not believe it.

-Bintou Samura

Plato’s “Allegory of a Cave” argues the physical world is merely a shadow of the real world and suggests life is not what it seems. One of the prisoners escapes the cave and discovers the real world is more than just the shadows cast on the cave walls. He explains that “if [the prisoner] again recalled his first dwelling, and the “knowing” that passes as the norm there, and the people with whom he once was chained, don’t you think he would consider himself lucky because of the transformation.” By achieving enlightenment and transforming into an aware person, the prisoner is able to appreciate the real world. By contrast, Gregor is aware of the real world but does not appreciate his life or his role in it. “The Metamorphosis” details the transformation of a man into a revolting beetle. Gregor realizes how valuable his life and family is after it is too late, and he is not as fortunate to get a second chance at life as the prisoner in the cave.

-Joseph Morreale

Towards the ending of “The Metamorphosis” and “Allegory of the Cave”, they are same in the aspect of awareness of their surroundings and how it relates to themselves. In “The Metamorphosis” we know that Gregor wakes up as an insect and that causes a great disturbance in the family. So when Gregor decides to kill himself, the family is relieved. It’s like a dark cloud has been removed from over their heads and their future began to look brighter. When they decided to go out for the first time in months, the mother and father begin to notice a change in Grete. They became aware of her own transformation, which is an adult. “While they were talking in these terms, almost at one and the same time Mr. and Mrs. Samsa noticed their increasingly lively daughter…they thought it was about time to find a suitable husband for her.” Now compared to “Allegory of the Cave” when the prisoner escapes and runs out of the cave and sees the real world he gets excited. He’s suddenly aware that there is more to his world than just shadows on the cave walls.

-Keauna

You all make some very compelling arguments about the three aspects of the nature of the ending that you were asked to examine more closely.  I’ve organized your responses into these three categories.  Look at these closely, at they will also help you to understand what Kafka is doing in “The Metamorphosis.”

Ultimately, who is responsible for Georg’s decision at the end?

Some of you opt for the father (Francesca, Joseph, Jiwoo, Nicole, Jorge M.) as he is the one giving the command, and yes, as Francesca points out, there is the indication of a backstory here, of a relationship that is less than what it should be, between Georg and his father. Kafka often creates an unstated tension between family members. Questions:  Is this tension unstated because the characters, themselves, don’t want to address this?  Whereas Jiwoo agrees that the father is responsible, he points out that Georg’s problems with his father are, in fact, “doable and surmountable.” Question:  Is Georg also responsible? (and Susanna, Katerina and Onu suggest this, as well). Michelle believes both Georg and his father are responsible, and Kafka often indicates that guilt is shared. Fahran goes deeper and suggests that Georg commits suicide because he feels “unwanted,” and this is a theme Kafka is always coming back to, that the individual’s needs are not really important.  Question:  Is Kafka implying that this is an isolated problem, or a problem that exists in society as a whole?

Unrealistic nature of the ending:

Jacqueline makes the very important observation that there is a “dream-like” affect here. She also uses the quote:  “He held the railing tight like a starving man clutches food.   He jumped over, like the excellent gymnast he had been in his youth…” The dark humor is effective here, I think, too, in showing that there is something not quite real about this scene. Food, as well, is very important to Kafka (as Jacqueline also pointed out in Bartleby, during her presentation) and we’ll discuss this more in class. Keauna points out that the relationship between father and son is realistic, but Georg’s decision at the end was as if “the father put a spell on him.” Daphne suggests that the ending is not only unrealistic, but absurd; that is, there seems no reason at all for Georg to do what he did, and yet he did it. Tara, as well, feels there is really no solid reason for Georg’s action. Jorge G. finds it unrealistic, as well, for similar reasons. Do you think Kafka is trying to say something about the control that one person has over another? Songyun makes a very interesting comment about the tension between guilt and punishment (and you can also look again at Aristotle’s definition of the tragic hero). Preston points out that it is unrealistic because Georg is not considering his options, he’s simply reacting. Joaquin, too, sees the ending as “rushed” but also as the culmination of emotions that have been building up (that we were not allowed to see).

The last line of the narrative:

I love Annie’s idea that Georg’s suicide is a literal blockage for the character himself, his family, and the society around him. Kafka is very interested in the idea of the individual’s happiness being somehow a hindrance to the smooth machinery of the family and surrounding society. This is something we’ll see even more poignantly in “The Metamorphosis.” Bintou points out the “silent” death that Georg had planned for himself, to jump when no one could hear him fall. The individual dying alone and in utter silence is something else Kafka is interested in. Susanna points out two symbolic meanings for the last line, both of which are really interesting: When one dies, life goes on; No one really cares about Georg (or anyone?) and Aly agrees with the second point. Rebecca suggests that the last line simply reminds us that life goes on, and that we cannot let ourselves get “stuck” in the past or in our problems. Tara makes the interesting comment that Georg’s suicide is an act of freedom.

1) Georg’s decision at the end of the story to commit suicide is partly his own fault due to his insecurity and partly due to the treatment of his father.   I believe these two factors are connected because within the story Georg’s father put him down multiple times, he accused him of lying about having a friend in Petersburg, he also called him a joker.  Georg’s father also tells him he doesn’t need him and could take care of himself, in my opinion the interactions between Georg his father is deep rooted.  In a psychological view it is said personal traits may stem from parents, which is why I came to the conclusion that Georg’s relationship with his had lead to his insecurities and depression within himself that lead to his suicide.  On the second to last page Georg’s father says, “You were a devilish human being! And therefore know this: I condemn you to death by drowning!” once again he insults Georg by comparing him to the devil and then tells him to kill himself.   Georg ended up taking what his father said and actually committing suicide, which could have been prevented if he had a better relationship with his father.  -Katarina

Many people see this ending as somehow unrealistic. Do you agree? Why or why not? How does it being realistic, not entirely realistic, or both contribute to your understanding of the ending?

3)  I do see the ending as somehow unrealistic but I also see it as a culmination of emotions.  I believe it was the breaking point in George’s life and even though it is an unexpected and exaggerated reaction it does represent a collection of repressed emotions he had.  It is proven that parents, especially fathers can have a very deep impact in the life of his son and George’s old man is a clear example.  George was dealing with a lot of things at the same time, his business, his future marriage, his long distance relationship with his best friend in Russia and his father getting old and being dependent on him.  “So now you know what there was in the world outside of yourself. Up to this point you’ve known only about yourself!” George’s father continuously blaming him with no reason or fundamentals.  The way his father started taking everything out of context and releasing all this negative attributes and emotions to George made him lose self-control and eventually take the ultimate decision.  I say it’s unrealistic because it is too sudden, to rushed and somehow unconsious.  

• Joaquin Azcue

2) Georg’s last decision is a critical one and I personally believe we all have a choice, even if we like our options or not. I feel like he choose his fate even if his father said those negative things about him and the negative impact Georg’s had on certain things. ″You have no friend in Petersburg. You were always a joker, and you have also not spared me. How can you possibly have a friend over there of all places! I can’t believe that.″ This statement is almost as if Georg’s crazy, even though we find out that the father confirms that his friend is real, the distance and this confusion is blamed on Georg for making the decisions that he has made. Everything seems like an illusion in a sense. All of these things led to Georg’s death that he choose to do unfortunately.
-Onu Mezbah

1)The life Georg lived was already comprised of hardships aside from his arrogant father. He deals with daily concerns regarding his upcoming marriage, the family business, and his relationship with an old colleague in Russia. Given the difficult life he was living in, his father had only made it worse for him. He only wanted the best for him. Georg had only wanted to check up on his father and to discuss the letter he was writing to his colleague. Even in a weakened state, his father somehow still accuses his son of wrong doings and tells him that his colleague is a better man than he is. After questioning and criticizing almost all of his actions including his wife, he tells him to go drown himself. This is ultimately one of the turning points in the story. Reason being is because this led to the decision Georg made to commit suicide. Although he did love his parents, he felt this was the best decision. Feeling unwanted and living  a life full of hardships, he drops down from a nearby bridge.

• Farhan Zaman

The ending to “The Judgement” can be interpreted to mean a lot more than just the simple fact that Georg decided to end his life. Going back to the question of who is responsible for Georg’s decision to end his life at the end of the story, I would have to say it was the father that led him to kill himself. Throughout the story, one is able to conclude that Georg has always been under the control of his father, despite the fact that he is older and can fend for himself. “Maybe it was because, during the time in which his mother was still alive, his father had hindered Georg from developing his own activities by imposing his, the father’s, own opinions.” Despite Georg being an adult, he still was not able to have his own opinion to things. The controlling aspect can also be seen how Georg first has to go to his father to ask if what he’s writing in the letter to his friend is reasonable. Therefore, by the father controlling Georg’s life and not allowing him to be his own person, the moment the father tells Georg “I condemn you to death by drowning,” Georg found this as a way of his father getting rid of him for good. His dad is the one responsible for killing his son.

• Jorge Moreno

Jorge, I think it’s interesting that you think that his father is the one that’s responsible for Georg’s death. I do think that it has a certain sense of truth, because like you said, he allowed his father to dictate his life. However, I think it’s more than simply him being straightforwardly responsible. It’s true that his father had a part, but in the end isn’t it Georg’s decision to end his life, as well as, perhaps he’s already dissatisfied and just looking for a way out or an excuse? I think he definitely feels in some way that life is meaningless by the last sentence, “At this moment an almost endless traffic rolled across the bridge.” This is an extremely sad moment and has a great significance. After everything, Georg’s suicide is highlighted by the fact that many people are there to witness his final moment. Or at least they’re in the presence of. And yet, despite the fact that Georg spent several moments contemplating this decision before he let go and jumped in, no one bothered to say anything or to stop him.

• Aly Yoon

Jorge makes a good point about how the father is responsible for Georg’s decision but I believe that his friend in Russia also plays a role in it as well.  Georg also felt the betrayal of his friend not telling him anything that was going on with his father so I believe that also played a part.  I agree with Aly’s point that his suicide is highlighted by the fact that many people were present which makes the moment much sadder.  I believe the ending is somehow unrealistic.  Although what his father did was very hurtful and harsh, he was just extremely happy about getting married and telling his friend about it.  I think his decision was made too quickly without the presence of a deliberation about how his fiancé would feel.  The only thought he had was about his parents, “But dear parents, I have always loved you, and let himself fall down”.  But it being unrealistic helps me understand that he truly did not want to live anymore not just because of what his father did.  He said he loved them and doesn’t really hate them as he should.

• Preston Cheung

Franz Kafka’s The Judgement describes the struggle of a father-son relationships. This story explores Georg and ever-present conflict that Georg has been dealing with his father. The narrator states, “Perhaps during his mother’s lifetime his father’s insistence on having everything his own way in the business had hindered him from developing any real activity of his own”. This can very well be the reason why Georg’s father considers Georg a lonely, sad, and submissive person. Hence, it can be implied that the father is to be responsible for Georg’s action at the end. At the end of this story Georg uses the cover of the train to kill himself “At this moment, an almost endless traffic rolled across the bridge” could it be even through death Georg didn’t want to make a splash-so to speak? Many people have found this ending as somehow unrealistic and this may be in fact because of the many uses of “dreams” in this story but I tend to find this ending unrealistic because of its promptness, Georg, is about to get married, and his business is beginning to make progress yet a scolding by his father that can very well be because of jealousy for outshining him; is the push he needs to commit suicide.

Jorge G

Maria:

3) Many people see this ending as somehow unrealistic. Do you agree? Why or why not? How does it being realistic, not entirely realistic, or both contribute to your understanding of the ending?

The ending of the story was very dark as it concluded with Georg killing himself. I see this ending as an somewhat of an unrealistic approach as the story only described one situation in which Georg and his father was argueing. However, this shows how deeply disconnected their relationship was; in that the suffering led Georg to commit suicide. Georg’s father had such a large impact on Georg when he says “I condemn you to death drowning”, that Georg look it pretty literal by committing suicide off a bridge. The ending being unrealistic, at first makes it difficult to understand the meaning behind Georg’s death however, thinking about the purpose of the death at the end of the story, allows the readers to see beyond the plain text. Georg felt truly hurt by his father’s words as well as his family situation. The darkness in his father’s room was a symbol of the relationship they had towards each other. Even when Georg attempted to open the window to let some light in, Georg’s father said he preferred it to be dark. This in turn had a significant impact on Georg which is shown at the end.

Nicole:

Great response Maria. I like how you related the death of Georg with his tainted relationship with his father. However, I don’t think the ending was unrealistic. I can see why one would say the ending seemed a little unrealistic at first, but if you read closely to the story we can tell how tainted and damaged the relationship with Georg and his father affected Georg, which can possibly result in him harming himself. I do agree with you when you said, “However, this shows how deeply disconnected their relationship was; in that the suffering led Georg to commit suicide”. He always felt anxious and on his toes and throughout the story we recognize his constant cry for his dad’s approval. If his dad wasn’t happy with him he wasn’t happy with himself either. The disapproval of his father caused a lot of darkness in his life, which is why when his father condemned him to drowning, he actually went through with it.

Tara:

What is the significance of the very last line of the story: “At this moment, almost endless traffic rolled across the bridge”?

In Kafka’s ending of The Judgement I think he wanted to show us how the approval of Georg’s father was extremely significant. Georg went to his father’s room to receive some sort of guidance or acceptance from him; but the outcome was very different. I agree with nicole that the ending is realistic because Georg had such a strained relationship with his father already. The things his father said to him during their argument showed Georg that things between him and his father would probably never change. The last line in the story “At this moment an almost endless traffic rolled across the bridge” signifies Georg’s freedom through his suicide. His last line before he died was “ But dear parents, I have always loved you” this shows that escaping his father’s judgement through suicide was not an act out of anger. The endless traffic rolled over the bridge after Georg committed suicide because that is what he wanted to do. He didn’t want people to know or feel sorry for him, his decision to commit suicide was his attempt to find happiness.

1) Who is responsible for Georg’s decision at the end of the story?

At the end of “The Judgement”, the story ends up with Georg committing suicide. Although suicide is never the right choice, his father ultimately pushed his buttons and even ‘condemned’ him by saying “I condemn you to death by drowning!” One can agree that in this case scenario, there were two people who are responsible for Georg’s decision at the end. First, the father is the responsible because one is more vulnerable to make rash decisions when they’re at a low point at their lives but also Georg is responsible because he chose to do what he did which was commit suicide. Willpower and strength play a factor in his decision where apparently he lacked.

-Michelle

2) What is the significance of the very last line of the story: “At this moment, almost endless traffic rolled across the bridge”?

I think that the significance of this line is that it shows that life moves on. He may have killed himself, but the traffic is going to continue. After Georg lost his friend in Petersburg, he stopped his own life, not being able to move on with his own life. This is ultimately part of what made his life miserable. While it is undeniable that his father is why his life was so miserable, his being caught up in his friend from Petersburg was part of it. He also was not able to move on from being a child of his father’s, into his own adult. Georg’s father had a similar situation. After he lost his wife, he stayed stuck in memories and her life, not being able to move on with his own life. I think that the significance of the line is showing the importance of moving on.

-Rebecca

3) Many people see this ending as somehow unrealistic. Do you agree? Why or why not? How does it being realistic, not entirely realistic, or both contribute to your understanding of the ending?

I think this ending is realistic.The most serious paradox is the absolute incompatibility of Georg’s guilt and his punishment. Particularly in view of his love for his parent, which is present throughout the story and is repeated in a prominent position at the end. Georg and his father is a complicated relationship.The story’s conclusion, instead of answering the multiple questions raised by the text, Georg’s father ends his stream of accusations by pronouncing a formal judgment over his son, “So now you know what else there is in the world besides yourself, till now you’ve known only about yourself ! An innocent child, yes, that you were, truly, but still more truly you have been a devilish human being ! And therefore take note: I sentence you now to death by drowning.” Given that the judgement itself appears to be the immediate cause of Georg’s death.

-Songyun Hei