Monday, March 9, 2009
The Metamorphosis
The book The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a very different yet interesting book. The author writes about a very awkward topic; not something you usually sit down and read. The story talks about a guy named Gregor who claims he has turned into a bug. Gregor lived a sad life only because he wasn't treated right and all his parents cared about was the money he brought home to them at the end of the day. When he turned into a "bug" they treated him poorly. His reaction was probably different than most of ours because he did not show no emotion; therefore u thought he didn't care. I guess in a way it was a relief for Gregor because a lot of pressure was taken off of him. Everything seemed to go wrong after that. Whatever love his family had for Gregor was gone and it turned into disgust. His dad would hit him and wouldn't even try to speak to him anymore because they couldn't understand him. His mother wouldn't even go into the room he was in because she was disgusted to look at him; so disgusted that Gregor stayed in a room with a sheet over him for his mother's sake. His sister would bring him food every now and then but they would be leftovers or scraps; things that he wouldn't ever touch, bug or no bug. They treated him terrible as they kept him in a room while no one went in their. Days would pass & they would let him collect dusk and starve. The only person that paid any mind to him was his sister but by the time she was ready to he had already died. This book would definitely break your heart and although the plot seemed weird it reached more ideas than someone turning into a "bug". The author was very creative and different with writing this book but it was very interesting and i would recommend anyone to pick it up & read it.
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I would agree with you, that this book is not something you can just sit and relax while reading because you'll be in ahw. My thoughts about the book was it was very stange that Kafka started his story off with Gregor waking up and finding that he has turned into a "bug". But if I woke up one day I would be in lost of words and panic.. a lot, but Gregor didnt have no emotions on this transformation that happend.He was like ok im a bug. Today, in class someone said that the way Kafka can write about being a "bug" as though he expreienced it.Kafka, really made you think that turning into a "bug" is something normal.Twoards the end of the story I felt bad for Gregor, the way his family treated him and how they just lost side of the fact that yes, he's a bug but didnt reconize that it was their son who worked, and was the provider of the family.Even though it's not mt favorite genra I thought this book was interesting.
ReplyDeleteHis family, really didn't show any emotion, I agree with you. Thats what makes me believe even though Gregor appeared as an animal, his family was more animalistic than he was. The fact that he responded to the violin which is an aspect that separates humans from animals also proved that. Its amazing isn't it? How cruel humans can be, that someone who has changed into a bug, has more feeling and emotions. Kafka is really great, he gets points across without shoving them in your face. This novella was amazing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, this isn't a type of story that I'd ever think of reading just because it sounds so repulsive, but Kafka created a true masterpiece. Readers who favor any type of literature could read "The metamorphosis" and be impacted by its unique structure. The story goes beyond Gregor's mutation into an insect, it makes references to personal identity and self worth. It allows us to make connections with the text and actually feel for Gregor since he depicts no emotion. It's an inspiring piece of work that influenced many writers that took after Kafka's brilliance.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to have seen more of a reaction from you. I like Erisa's use of the word "mutation" as opposed to his metamorphosis.
ReplyDeleteGrade: 3/4