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

The chief clerk and Gregor’s father both had different reactions to Gregor’s metamorphosis. While the chief clerk was more terrified, Gregor’s father was more calm and impassive. When Gregor revealed his transformation, everyone was shocked. “But the chief clerk had turned his back on Gregor the moment he had begin speaking, and only stared back at him with mouth agape, over his trembling shoulder.”(218) The chief was so scared that he left the house immediately. Gregor’s father went from calm to angry, to the point where he kicked Gregor back to his room. “…when from behind his father now gave him a truly liberating kick, and he was thrown, bleeding profusely, far into his room.”(220) Unlike the chief clerk, the father was more angry than scared. (Ivy)

Adding onto what Ivy said on the first part, the charwoman’s and Gregor’s father reaction towards Gregor’s death is now completely different. Whereas Ivy pointed out with Gregor’s father being the violent one, kicking Gregor into his room, now Gregor’s dad takes a more calm approach. “Ah, said Mr Samsa, now we can give thanks to God. He crossed himself and the three women followed his example” (240). This showed how when his son was alive as a bug, Gregor’s father wanted to physically remove him. But now that he is dead, he does not need to use force to do so.  As for the charwoman’s initial reaction to Gregor, she had a similar reaction to the chief clerk. “Her eyes went large and round, she gave a half-involuntary whistle, didn’t stay longer, but tore open the door of the bedroom and loudly called into the darkness: ‘Have a look, it’s gone and perished; it’s lying there, and it’s perished! (239). Instead of chief clerk running out of the room in fright, the charwomen ran towards the family to bring them closer to Gregor and give attention to his death.