Britta Tornberg Metamorphosis parts1 and 2 (because this story was that good :) I could not just write about one half)

Dear Class,

Metamorphosis was one of those strange stories that you just cannot put down. No matter how pressed for time I was, I could not stop reading this literary work. I think the odd choice in subject and the eeriness to the story is what I liked best. Many students questioned if Franz Kafka was on drugs. I like to think no, he just had a fantastic mind and a raging source of inspiration. In remember several years ago my older brother read this and told me I have to read it. It was the only piece worth reading in an English class.

Gregor symbolized money. His duty in the family was to work hard and make money. His purpose was to feed the family. They depended on him. When Gregor was unable to do this he was neglected and isolated. This reminded me of the famous line in the movie Sucker punch, "your only purpose is to dance. If you do not dance you do not have a purpose. We do not keep things that have no purpose. Gregor no longer had purpose to his house hold and he was discarded. Gregor barely even cared that he was no longer human. His worst concern was that he would lose his job and not make money for the family.

I do not feel Gregor's family appreciated everything he has done for them. They just accepted the money and eventually expected it. When Gregor could not work his family thought their lack of money was Gregor's fault. They thought it was terrible that they had to work. In the beginning of Gregor's metamorphosis his mother and sister had some compassion toward Gregor. As Gregor's humanity began to dwindle so did their tolerance for Gregor. In many way Gregor lost his humanity such as his preference in moldy foods, his enjoyment of scurrying on the ceiling, and his instincts he had as an insect. In other ways Gregor kept complete grasp of his humanity through his ability to have emotions, his attachment to the items in his room, and his willingness to return to work.

As discussed in class, I feel Gregor's level of stress could be the reason for his transformation. I also feel Gregor in a way wished for this collection of unfortunate events. He did not enjoy his job as a traveling salesman, he wanted to put his boss "in his place", and he never really seemed to have a strong bond with his family except for the fact that he brought his family money and they accepted it. I feel like him becoming an insect was the test to it all.]

 If Gregor's transformation was symbolism for something such as an awful disease crippling him from the workplace, I feel his family would be upset with the lack of money being brought into the house hold. on the other hand I do not feel they would completely isolate him and not be able to bear the inhuman sight of him. I feel that Franz Kafka wrote this story because he had similar ties to his family. Maybe he was interested in arthropods at the same time he wrote this story, or possibly he had a life changing experience that caused his family to react similarly.

I was hoping at the end of this story that Gregor would wake up from a strange dream or take a special pill to return him to his original human self. Unfortunately he dies and his family almost rejoices. The transition at the end of this story was quite strange. The entire family goes out to town and the story shifts its focus to Grete, Gregor's sister. The family thinks it is time for Grete to go out and find a husband, who then will be the new source of income. I find it peculiar that Gregor is not once thanked for his contribution to the family he has made earlier in his lifetime. I also find it strange that Gregor is not really remember and no one mourns over the loss of their son. After the incident of Gregor being seen by the boarders I think his family cuts off all ties with him. His sister mentions that if the insect was truly Gregor, he would leave and not make his family suffer. I wish Gregor's family treated him better. I could never imagine my family being that cold to me, if I was an insect or not.

I enjoyed this story very much. Hopefully the next stories read in class will be this exciting.

-Britta