[2] Response: "The Metamorphosis"

I. I think Kafka spends a lot of time explaining the reality of when Gregor is a bug, to show that the fact he has been transformed as a bug, would normally be a shocker. A shocker to the reader, and it would normally be a shocker to the main character. But Kafka, it’s like he uses the opposite emotions, where the main character, its like he knew it was bound to happen. Gregor doesn’t seem to be surprised at the fact has a bug, and he is also still focused on his work and job and family. Kafka made it so that Gregor could have gotten turned into anything and he would still be focused on his job and providing for his family.

II. I think Gregor is trying to really impress his father. It seems like a relationship where the father was a hard worker, and Gregor is trying to always trying to show, that he is a son to be proud of. But now the fact the Gregor now has a job, and the father doesn’t and now it seems that relationship has switched. Gregor refers to his dad as clumsy, normally how a hard working dad would refer to his unappreciated son. From listening to his family discuss financial statuses, and then seeing them move furniture out of the room, he would have probably assumed they were selling his furniture, to make money. I think he cares so much about the picture because maybe it was a picture that gave him hope as a business man. And he didn’t want that picture taken away, because it would be like taking away the hope from him. From reading the scene about the father, I wondered for a bit, what the hell am I reading. I mean its not like the father didn’t know the bug was his son! He showed no remorse and drew to conclusion, not even bothering to figure out what happened.

III. The family abandonment of Gregor was really messed up. Its like they didn’t realize how much he had provided for his family until he was gone. After he dies, then they realize they actually have more money than they thought. They could have been straight forward with Gregor and told him earlier. It was mainly the fathers fault, as he seems like the one with the most control over the house.

Reading Kafka’s stories, I couldn’t help but notice the names: In the Judgment, the characters name was Gerog, and in the Metamorphosis, Gregor. Is there some relation to this?