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

Thank- you for your perceptive, thought provoking comments! Here are some of your more salient observations:

(Also, just a friendly reminder: Remember, even if you are listed as a part of a group, you do not receive credit unless you actually post. As well, if you only comment on another post (just do Post 2) and do not create your own post (Post 1) then you also do not get credit for being present.)

Allegory of the Cave:

Susanna points out that there is a stark difference, because Gregor learns nothing (as opposed to the prisoner who escapes the cave); Muneeb comments that both narratives have the theme of being “trapped” and indeed, that is a valid way of comparing the two stories. Gregor’s death, seen in this way, could be his acceptance of that situation; Francesca points to the theme of isolationism, and this certainly connects the two works; Jacqueline makes the interesting observation that Gregor’s family shows growth and so does come to terms with the truth, but the prisoners of the cave refuse to “face the truth”; Nicole, however, feels that both Gregor and the escaped prisoner see the truth of their lives; Tara makes the interesting observation that the prisoners who do not escape are like Gregor’s family, and refuse to accept the reality of the situation; Bintou makes a very interesting comment when she says that Gregor’s family is very like the prisoners who don’t escape, in that they know this “cockroach” is their son and brother, but refuse to acknowledge it; Joseph points out that Gregor does know the truth of his role in the world, but gives that up; Keauna makes a very compelling comparison between the escaped prisoner and the family, after Gregor’s death, that the family finally can move on and take their place in the world; Jamie points to an important connection, that both the family and the prisoners want to stay safe in their “old” way of thinking; Onu makes an interesting comment about the use of light and dark in both works, and how this reflects the attitudes of the characters; Joaquin points to the compelling theme of isolationism in both works, and how this is connected to the dark; Katerina makes a very interesting comment about how both works explore the idea of escaping reality; Jamie points out that these two stories are about people’s reactions to change, and that they would all rather stay safe and limited; Jorge G. sees both protagonists as having learned some important truth, but that no one in their society wants to learn that truth.

Kaspar:

Jiwoo sees a difference between the endings, saying that Gregor in fact learns his (unfortunate) position in his family, while Kaspar learns nothing and wants to learn nothing; Rebecca sees “The Met.” and “Kaspar” as both showing protagonists who crave “attention from others” (yes, I see that too); Michelle makes the interesting observations that both Gregor and Kaspar do not question there isolation from others; Songyun points out that these two protagonists end quite differently. Gregor’s passing is actually quite positive for the family (so has Gregor made a sacrifice to help his family?) and Kaspar, on the other hand, is “lost.”