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

The initial reactions to Gregor’s metamorphosis from the chief clerk and Gregor’s father were of fear, surprise and disbelief. As soon as the chief clerk laid eyes on Gregor he was surprised and frightened, his initial reaction was a sharp “Oh!” and his body language made his fright and disbelief obvious ” his hands pressed against his open mouth, and slowly retreating”. Gregor’s father was taken up by the surprise as well, “His father clenched his first with a pugnacious expression…covered his eyes with his hands and cried” the word pugnacious is key because it tells us that he had no time to analyze the situation, he instinctively became agitated. Just as the chief clerk, he also used his hands to stop himself from gazing at Gregor’s metamorphosis. The reaction to Gregor’s death was one of humanity, as the chair woman offered to get rid of Gregor’s remains, Mr Samsa “put up a hand to cut her off” telling us that even though Gregor’s condition was a huge burden on the family, the humane thing to do was to treat him with dignity, which they did.