How is this story "surreal" (abstract but revealing a deeper truth)? *OR* How is this work "existential" (having to do with the idea that we each create our own meaning in life)?
The Metamorphosis is somewhat existential when it deals with Gregor Samsa. When he is turned into a "vermin", his family's attitude him changes, and so does the meaning of his existence. As his family neglected him in order to find their own way, he realized that he didn't have a meaning in life anymore, if his own family didn't care for his basic needs, such as food and mobility. In this story, no one came to help the Samsa family when they were burdened with Gregor; they only had themselves to rely on, to make money and a living. When the boarders were there, the family attended to their every want, and at the time, they were miserable and had no meaning. But as soon as Gregor died, their backs straightened and the family found new courage, pushing the boarders out and firing the charwoman. At the end, when they take a trip, all of them, especially Grete, realize that they have their own lives ahead of them, and they have meaning.
The story of Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis is existential, in that all of us interpret it differently. Some people think Kafka's book should be taken literally while others, like me, consider it a figurative work. The way I interpret the story is that Gregor's metamorphosis is a representation of a change in his character. Perhaps he is acting more like a vermin - low, greedy, mean. Maybe he has become more selfish in his behavior toward his family. As a result, the relationship between Gregor and his family becomes more tense and different. Instead of respecting him, they are repulsed by his appearance and behavior. Instead of being willing to give him room and board, they are eager to be rid of him. And most of all, whatever bit of gratefulness the family had for Gregor's provision for them, they lose - their family feeling replaced by disgust and an attitude that the man who once took care of them is now their burden. Their reaction is, in and of itself, existential because each family member deals with Gregor's metamorphosis differently. For example, Gregor's mother feels the most compassion for her son, thinking for the most part about him and being sensitive about his feelings. His sister, while very caring at first, comes to resent Gregor and long for his death. Mr. Samsa is very violent and angry in all of his interactions with Gregor - revolted by the vermin his son has transformed into.
This story is "surreal" because Gregor who was once the provider for the home and the cherished son that did everything for the good of the family has become nothing but a nuisance for the family after their transformation. In my opinion, I feel that this story represents the fact that you really won't be able to understand how someone feels until you go through what they have been through. Gregor was anti social because all he did was work to give everything to his family. However as soon as Gregor is no longer able to support the family, he is addressed as it. I feel that being humans, we all have our selfish times and once we face hardship because the person that used to protect us can no longer do so, we tend to forgeet all that they have done for us and find another way to survive.
The story line of Metamorphosis is a very surreal story. For example the whole fact that Gregor changed into a bug is very surrealistic. This could not happen in “real” life or even maybe he physically did not change into a bug or vermin. Within the story lies a deeper underlying truth that if taken literally cannot be seen. Maybe within Kafka’s story the story of Gregor being turned into a roach or vermin and having his whole life flipped overnight is the story of how someone or something happened that changed his life tragically which to him felt so sudden. A tragedy such as realizing you having cancer that sneaks up and blind sides you can be related to the story of Gregor’s over night transformation.
The Metamorphosis is a “surreal” story because it is abstract and it reveals many deeper underlying truths. The main example is when Gregor turned into a vermin. This is abstract or rather surreal because it is not even possible for a human to transform into a vermin overnight. The deeper meaning in this is that because Gregor was so caught up in work and supporting his family, he actually was a human “vermin”. Therefore he probably was not physically a vermin but instead mentally,. He was often isolated and treated as if he was a horrible creature. He did not really have a life beyond work and satisfying his family.
The Metamorphosis was surreal because Gregor turning into a literal human sized roach is abstract, and not something that would happen in real life. It is also surreal because him suddenly waking up and turning into a roach is unexpected and out of the ordinary. This story might have had abstract versions of Kafka's life depicted in it, for example Kafka's dad being depicted into Mr.Samsa. It revealed an underlying truth that Gregor was practically a vermin because all he did was work and didn't really have a life of his own. This story made that comparison real and actually depicted him as a cockroach.
This work is existential. In Metamorphosis, Gregor is a man who works not for himself, but for his family. None of the people in his family work. They are all supported by Gregor working, and the money he get's from working. So Gregor seems like the independent, and him family is dependent on him and him alone. So Gregor is their life, house, food, and care. He provides everything for them. But then Gregor turns into a bug. And his family ends up taking care of him. They start to become independent, and Gregor is dependent on them. Soon, the family see Gregor as a nuisance and they want to get rid of him. When he dies, still as a bug, the family evolves into better people. Without him, their lives are more open. They have more opportunity and they are happier. So by Gregor's dying, he helped his family. That was his purpose in life.
This story is surreal because on the outside it seemed like the family was too busy to care for Gregor since everybody was working. Gregor's room was covered in dust and he didn't eat because the sister didn't bother to feed him food he would enjoy. But if you look at it from a deeper perspective, this part of the story could mean more than just being too busy to take care of a "pet." It could tell of how people get too caught up in the rush of life that they tend to forget about what's truly important. Our focus in life then shifts from personal things such as family and friends to more materialistic things such as money and work.
How is this story "surreal" (abstract and revealing a deeper underlying truth)?
The Metamorphosis was surreal because it seemed to be an abstract version of Kafka's life and how he felt about events that were happening. One example can be his father and how he was nothing like his dad. His dad was mean and expected a lot from him and wasn't very appreciative. Another example is with Gregor's sister was favored in the end. Kafka's sisters were favored over him so this can be an interpretation of what happened to him. Gregor becoming a vermin or cockroach can be how Kafka felt like he was being changed because of events in his life. Maybe after the way his father treated him and how everyone was favored over him turned him into something unwanted by everyone, like a vermin.
Metamorphosis is a story that reveals a deeper meaning. The story is about a man name gregor who is transformed overnigt into a cockroach. He learns and adapts to his new life, but misses his humanity and being able to communicate with his family. The deeper meaning beneath this story is many things. Part of it has to do with the relationship of his father and him. I think in the beginning of the book, when gregor describes his description of his appearence, it resembles that he tries to act tough to impress his father, but really he is sensative and weak. His sister grete was favored by his family in real life and in the book, it was opposite gregor was favored in the beginning, but then in the end, everyone see's that grete is useful and beautiful. I think as a boy no one really payed attention to gregor, so that shows when he turned into a bug, that the family starts to forget about him. This story describes how his life was as he grew up and what he felt toward his family. The story reflects back on his life and he expresses his feelings through Gregor's life as a man and then a bug.
The Metamorphosis is an existential tale. Gregor, the story's main protagonist, is all but only existing during the duration of the story- not at all living. He only occupied a space in his family's and his own life, not at all did he truly begin to live until his transformation. His meaning in life did not exist until his metamorphosis was complete: he only existed to hinder his family's lives when he was still human. Near the end of the book, as Gregor lay dying alone in the dark, he was struck with the dark peace of mind that he was finally content. With his death, his meaning was fulfilled in that his meager end brought his family's lives to a start. Thus, his meaning in life only held any sort of weight in his death.
The Metamorphosis was surreal because it was an abstract story that didn’t really seem to make sense at first but as we read into it and also into Kafka’s letter to his father, it seems like the story has a deeper meaning connecting to his feelings towards his father throughout life. He felt like his father was always superior to him and like he couldn’t please his father so maybe Gregor’s cockroach/vermin state represents Kafka’s feeling that he might have been a pest in the eyes of his father throughout his life. By definition, a vermin is also unwanted and very irritating and disliked so I think this reflects Kafka’s feelings in real life.
Metamorphosis had a type of “surreal” meaning to the story. Starting off the story was that Gregor Samsa had turned into a vermin over night, that is pretty surreal for a human being to just wake up one morning an become a bug like creature. It had never happened before. This story could also be a meaning to Kafka’s life himself. Kafka always felt like an inferior version of his father, so in the story when Gregor had turned into a vermin, he became different from his family and no one really paid attention to him. This vermin is a representation of Kafka’s actual feelings of his own life.
Metamorphosis had a type of "surreal" meaning to it because how Gregor is a vermin that is human size that has an abstract feeling to it, and when you first read the book you don't really understand the full meaning, but once you read the letter to his father you can tell there is meaning because the abstract parts. For example Kafka's father always called him a vermin so there was a deeper meaning behind the story and how Gregor was an abstract vermin. I believe Kafka's trying to put under the truth through Metamorphosis.
The Metamorphosis is surreal in that through an element of science fiction that seems out of place in a realistic world, it speaks of a deeper truth about family dynamics and one's place in society. Gregor is a human who does work and not much else. He is not a creative being, nor has he achieved any measure of self-actualization. He is really no better than a vermin productively and no better than a rodent in terms of his humanity. It takes his demise for the family to shed their obsession with money and structure and emerge from their cocoons.
"The Metamorphosis" is a story of how an ordinary middle-aged man named Gregor Samson, endures a series of complications that change his life forever. This story is also surreal. The main problem that he encounters is when he wakes up one day in the body of a vermin. This is the abstract part of the book because in reality something like this is most likely not possible. The deeper meaning that is revealed throughout the story is that "The Metamorphosis" is a reflection of Franz Kafka's life. Kafka's father saw Kafka as an annoyance which is similar to a vermin. Gregor who was depended on heavily in the family suddenly changed into a vermin, which is what Kafka felt like. Another deeper meaning would have to be how Gregor is similar to Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus, Gregor was a humble and lowly creature who did everything in his power for the benefit of the people he loved. In this case, when Gregor was still human he worked diligently at his job so that his family could live a wonderful life. When Gregor died, it's as if he took all the pain and suffering away from his family along with his passing. Even after his death, he was able to give his family a better life that they deserved.
The Metamorphosis is “surreal” and abstract because of its deeper meanings and underlying symbolism. Gregor who had turned from a human into a vermin could have transformed into this because of him being a workaholic. He had invested so much time into his job that there was barely any contact with his family and it was rare for him to even acquire a social life, which then lead to this metamorphosis. Along with the isolation came the mistreatment when he had turned into a creature, he was neglected and in a way this could have represented Kafka’s life too. He had experienced treatment similar to Gregor especially with his father who had mistreated him as a child. This, along with many other symbols is a representation of Kafka’s feelings towards his own life in the form of Gregor’s transformation and his story.
Surrealism plays a great role in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”. In the first chapter, Gregor turns into a vermin. This is the unrealistic part of the book because no one can actually turn into a human sized cockroach. Gregor turning into a cockroach symbolizes how he is not needed in his family because as a vermin all he does is hinder them. Another underlying truth of Metamorphosis is that Gregor’s death allows for his sister Grete to flourish. The realistic aspect of this book is that Kafka’s father, like Gregor’s, did not always treat him with the respect he deserved. Kafka’s father abused him frequently and favored Kafka’s sister. Similar to Kafka’s real life story, in “Metamorphosis”, Gregor’s sister Grete becomes the family favorite and blossoms after Gregor’s death.
Surreal works imply an underlying truth to what is being told in the story. Gregor Samsa woke one morning to find that he had metamorphed into a vermin. Taking the underlying meaning to this sentence, Gregor Samsa has become a nuisance for his family. His transformation is the central event which drives this novel to a surreal state. Once, Gregor Samsa was the one to provide income for the entire family. Now, his younger sister takes care of him, representing a shift in authority and responsibility. As the story goes on, we find that the sister receives more attention and respect from the parents, which is new to her. Basking in her new authority, she feels the need to do everything for Gregor and speak as his representative. She eventually neglects Gregor and is the first to suggest getting rid of him. This might perhaps represent her greed for all attention from the parents, and getting rid of Gregor would only make it easier for her. A strange reaction from the family ensued Gregor’s death. They seem to be unable to recognize Gregor as anything human anymore. His slow decline represents him drifting to becoming even more inhuman. This prompts the family to believe that Gregor is not Gregor anymore, but a monstrous threat that would endanger the entire family. From their reaction and Gregor’s death, we can assume that this was a moment for them to bloom and become who they were destined to be.
In “The Metamorphosis”, Gregor Samsa faced many trials and misfortunes while being a cockroach. As the story begins, Gregor awakens to find himself transformed into a new body, the body of a cockroach. In reality, we all know that transforming into a vermin over night is impossible. Kafka uses this transformation of Gregor to reveal that Gregor and he are quite alike in some ways. In Kafka’s letter to his father, he admits and apologizes for being an irritation, comparable to a vermin. Another underlying truth is that just like in the story; Kafka spent most of his time on his job and less time with his family. The separation between Kafka and his family made it clear that his family could live on without him. Kafka, was just an annoyance to his family, just like Gregor to his family.
The story in the book “The Metamorphosis” is surreal for many reasons. First, Gregor Samsa transforms overnight into a vermin. This event has a deeper meaning because Gregor was an annoyance to his family, and him transforming into a vermin portrays this annoyance. After reading Kafka’s letter to his father, we learn that the story has a deeper meaning. The storyline relates to Kafka’s life and his relationship with his father.
The book Metamorphosis is existential because before Gregor Samsa became a vermin, his family depended on him too much for everything like money and being a provider for the family. When Gregor Samsa did turn into a vermin, his family had to become less dependent on Gregor and they were able to venture out on their own to make a living and be able to work and find themselves. Gregor turning into a vermin was a reason for Grete to make a change. When Gregor died at the very end, Grete and his family was able to finally be happy.
The story “The Metamorphosis” is a surreal book. It starts of somewhat normal and then this person Gregor Samsa turns into a vermin/roach. It could be a representation of the Arthur’s mind and all the fears that he had. In real life no one can just wake up and be come a bug. It does not make sense that he would turn into a bug. Kafka relationship with his father is portrayed in the book because Gregor also did not have a good relationship with his father. Kafka could have written in a different way of how his life was in the book because sometimes some Arthurs make a story and them as the main character. Grete, Gregor’s sister, ends up with the change for the better because she has matured and became a woman. She stretches out like a butterfly after being in a cocoon so long.
The Metamorphosis is surreal in many ways. The story has very abstract writing, but with critical thinking, there is a deeper and underlying truth. For example, the statement that claimed Grete stretching out her body was surreal because if you interpret this statement literally, you'll find it useless. But this statement could also possibly mean that Grete was coming out of her cocoon and completing her metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. This story is also teaching the readers a lesson. Gregor spent worked in order to support his family financially, but once he turned into a vermin, they were disgusted by him and they were mad because he no longer could do anything to help them, since he was the only person in the family working. The family didn't realize how hard it was for Gregor to support them because he couldn't live his life for himself, but to life his life and work so his family could have a comfortable life.
Metamorphosis is portrayed as a surreal story when Gregor unrealistically transforms into a Vermin, there is an underlying truth; it reflects Franz Kafka’s life as well. Being a Vermin is like being a nuisance to his family. Gregor and Kafka’s lives clearly depict this fact. Neither of them feels like they are needed in their family and they are simply hindering the lives of others. In the beginning of the story, Gregor’s sister, Grete was portrayed as a sister who did not financially help her family, but cared and loved her brother dearly. Her family was not indispensable towards her as they were to Gregor (he was supporting the family financially). As the story carries on, Grete transforms into a young lady that supports her family, physically and emotionally. She becomes the “favorite” of the two siblings. The underlying truth to this could depict Kafka’s family as well.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is an existential work. In this story, Gregor Samsa is physically transformed into a vermin or cockroach over-night. Before this occurrence, Gregor was depended on greatly by his family members, particularly involving money. However, this all changed when Gregor was transformed. All took up their own jobs to provide for each other, and in a way became more independent. His family even began to think of Gregor as hindrance to their development as individuals and as a family. They did not bother to care for him and considered him a burden to their living. When Gregor eventually dies, the Samsa family evolves. They take on more opportunities and do what they please. Ultimately, Gregor's death allowed his family to be happier in life.
Metamorphosis is a surreal story because it is very abstract and withholds many symbols that have deeper meanings to them. For example Gregor turning into a bug is very surreal, it’s impossible for this to happen in real life. This story is symbolic with many different meanings that possibly had connections to Kafka’s life, his family, and himself. Such as when Gregor was getting Apples thrown at him, connected to Kafka and how his dad was mean to him, and sometimes even abused.
“The Metamorphosis” is a story surreal in the sense that not much makes sense. When looking literally at this story, the reader sees the depressing life of a man turned into a monster, mistreated by his family, and then starved to death. The behavior of the characters during this is somewhat surreal because of the way they react in certain situations. When Gregor was turned into a bug, he was barely surprised, much less concerned about his new body. For some reason, his family members did not panic or freak out. On top of this, it is never explained why Gregor has turned into a bug in the first place.
The Metamorphosis can be existential because it’s message underneath can be interpreted in different ways. One could look at it as the depiction of the sorrows, fears, and experiences that Franz Kafka went through in his life. One can see it as an example of how similar and different humans are than beasts. It can also be seen as a way to show how humans react with strange occurrences.
I view the story of "The Metamorphosis" as surreal. That is mainly because it beholds impossible events, such as when Gregor Samsa turns into a vermin. It is absolutely abstract that Gregor can simple transform into a giant vermin without any legitimate reason since he was portrayed as a kind person. However, there is a meaning behind why he was transformed into a vermin. It portrays the author's life and how he felt. Many of the events that took place in the story had a deeper meaning to it than what was actually taking place.
The book "The Metamorphosis" is seen as surreal because the main character, Gregor Samsa, is transformed into a certain vermin, possibly a dung beetle. In real life, there are no stories of people who get transformed into bugs over night. The underlying truth in this book could be Franz Kafka's personal relationship with his family. In the book, Gregor's father gave me an impression of a strong patriarch as Kafka had described his father to be in his letter. Also it shows the underlying truth with his family when you compare Gregor's relationship with his sister. Gregor's sister got all the attention when Gregor became a vermin just like how Kafka's younger sister got more attention from his father because she resembled her mother more than him.
The book “The Metamorphosis” deals with some existentialism. Gregor, the main character, is trying to find his new place in his family. In the beginning of the book, Gregor’s job and position in the family is to make the money. He works as a traveling salesman to pay off his parents’ debt. No one else in his family works; he provides money that allows the family to own a flat, have a maid, and live good lives. In the first sentence of the book, Gregor is transformed into a “horrible vermin.” From this point on he tries to discover his new place in his family. Gregor’s father is ashamed of him, his mother faints whenever she sees him, and his sister leaves food out for him and later resents him. Since Gregor is this creature, he cannot work and provide for his family, and his family treats him like a burden and an outcast. Gregor doesn’t know who he is. However, at the end of the story, after Gregor dies, his family goes on a vacation and begins their new life. In conclusion, Gregor’s role in life is to provide for his family by dying so that they could live. His life ends while his sister’s new stage of life begins.
The Metamorphosis is a surrealistic story in the sense that the entire book is based upon an impossible reality. Gregor awakes one morning and finds himself transformed into a despicable vermin. The readers are given no explanation and so everything is almost dream-like. Kafka combines a realistic setting with an unrealistic circumstance (turning into a giant vermin) to bring about a surrealistic story that holds a deeper, symbolic meaning. One symbolic meaning that this book could have tried to portray was Kafka’s own life situation. The events in this book reflect the events and situations in Kafka’s own life: how his dad abused him, how he was only close to his sister, and so many more. The book also portrays how Kafka was belittled by his own family. Just as how Gregor was ignored and forgotten about by his own family, Kafka was shown little love and compassion in his family. Through the book, I suspect that Kafka was trying to portray about him being the “vermin” in his own family: someone who is unwanted and is denied love. Another symbolic meaning that this story could have held is that being too materialistic and putting too much emphasis on work can kill you. In the book, the whole family was driven to their “depressive” state by money. Gregor focused his entire existence on working and providing for the family. He was a slave and ends up dying in the end. After he transformed into a vermin, the only thing that the rest of the family could focus on was working and finding ways to make money. When the family only focused on money and their jobs, their lives were a wreck. After Gregor dies, the family starts to realize what they have and stops putting so much emphasis on work and money. Only then were they truly happy and able to see that they had a bright future ahead of them. Society is too materialistic. Working too much and caring too much for money is harmful to society and its people!
The Metamorphosis is “surreal” because it symbolically represents Kafka’s life and also the absurdity of Gregor’s reaction to his transformation. It is surreal that Gregor would only think about how he was going to get to work folllowing his transformation. This symbolizes how we, as humans and a society, worry about the little things in life, rather than the big picture and how life can be automated and disconnected. In the book, Gregor feels isolated from his family and then he is transformed into a vermin. Similarly, Kafka feels lonely and unwanted in his own family.
The book "The Metamorphosis" is surreal because it is too illusive and fictional to occur in the real world. The main character, Gregor Samsa, transforms into a vermin and his whole life is flipped around since that moment. When Gregor was human, he used up all of his time on working and providing money for his family. While Gregor did all the work to make money for his family, his family did absolutely nothing. I know for sure that Gregor wasted his humanity on making money. Thus, he transforms into a vermin. Gregor never had a good relationship with his father, which is similar to Kafka's life. Gregor loses his humanity and his family starts to support themselves, which indicates that they don't need Gregor, the vermin, anymore.
The book " The Metamorphosis " is very surreal. It is surreal because what happens in the book could not happen in real life. The book starts off with Gregor (the main character) wakes up to find himself transformed into a vermin. His whole life is completely changed by this event. He was once the main provided of his family but since his transformation he is not able to work in his new form. Gregor's family is frightened of him and doesn't want to see him. By the end of the book, Gregor ends up dying and his family goes on to live a happy life. One of the main reasons that this book is surreal is Gregor's reaction to his transformation. He was more or less unfazed about the whole thing, it is surreal that he only cared about making money rather than his appearance.
The Metamorphosis is somewhat existential when it deals with Gregor Samsa. When he is turned into a "vermin", his family's attitude him changes, and so does the meaning of his existence. As his family neglected him in order to find their own way, he realized that he didn't have a meaning in life anymore, if his own family didn't care for his basic needs, such as food and mobility. In this story, no one came to help the Samsa family when they were burdened with Gregor; they only had themselves to rely on, to make money and a living. When the boarders were there, the family attended to their every want, and at the time, they were miserable and had no meaning. But as soon as Gregor died, their backs straightened and the family found new courage, pushing the boarders out and firing the charwoman. At the end, when they take a trip, all of them, especially Grete, realize that they have their own lives ahead of them, and they have meaning.
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DeleteThe story of Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis is existential, in that all of us interpret it differently. Some people think Kafka's book should be taken literally while others, like me, consider it a figurative work. The way I interpret the story is that Gregor's metamorphosis is a representation of a change in his character. Perhaps he is acting more like a vermin - low, greedy, mean. Maybe he has become more selfish in his behavior toward his family. As a result, the relationship between Gregor and his family becomes more tense and different. Instead of respecting him, they are repulsed by his appearance and behavior. Instead of being willing to give him room and board, they are eager to be rid of him. And most of all, whatever bit of gratefulness the family had for Gregor's provision for them, they lose - their family feeling replaced by disgust and an attitude that the man who once took care of them is now their burden. Their reaction is, in and of itself, existential because each family member deals with Gregor's metamorphosis differently. For example, Gregor's mother feels the most compassion for her son, thinking for the most part about him and being sensitive about his feelings. His sister, while very caring at first, comes to resent Gregor and long for his death. Mr. Samsa is very violent and angry in all of his interactions with Gregor - revolted by the vermin his son has transformed into.
DeleteThis story is "surreal" because Gregor who was once the provider for the home and the cherished son that did everything for the good of the family has become nothing but a nuisance for the family after their transformation. In my opinion, I feel that this story represents the fact that you really won't be able to understand how someone feels until you go through what they have been through. Gregor was anti social because all he did was work to give everything to his family. However as soon as Gregor is no longer able to support the family, he is addressed as it. I feel that being humans, we all have our selfish times and once we face hardship because the person that used to protect us can no longer do so, we tend to forgeet all that they have done for us and find another way to survive.
ReplyDeleteThe story line of Metamorphosis is a very surreal story. For example the whole fact that Gregor changed into a bug is very surrealistic. This could not happen in “real” life or even maybe he physically did not change into a bug or vermin. Within the story lies a deeper underlying truth that if taken literally cannot be seen. Maybe within Kafka’s story the story of Gregor being turned into a roach or vermin and having his whole life flipped overnight is the story of how someone or something happened that changed his life tragically which to him felt so sudden. A tragedy such as realizing you having cancer that sneaks up and blind sides you can be related to the story of Gregor’s over night transformation.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is a “surreal” story because it is abstract and it reveals many deeper underlying truths. The main example is when Gregor turned into a vermin. This is abstract or rather surreal because it is not even possible for a human to transform into a vermin overnight. The deeper meaning in this is that because Gregor was so caught up in work and supporting his family, he actually was a human “vermin”. Therefore he probably was not physically a vermin but instead mentally,. He was often isolated and treated as if he was a horrible creature. He did not really have a life beyond work and satisfying his family.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis was surreal because Gregor turning into a literal human sized roach is abstract, and not something that would happen in real life. It is also surreal because him suddenly waking up and turning into a roach is unexpected and out of the ordinary. This story might have had abstract versions of Kafka's life depicted in it, for example Kafka's dad being depicted into Mr.Samsa. It revealed an underlying truth that Gregor was practically a vermin because all he did was work and didn't really have a life of his own. This story made that comparison real and actually depicted him as a cockroach.
ReplyDeleteThis work is existential. In Metamorphosis, Gregor is a man who works not for himself, but for his family. None of the people in his family work. They are all supported by Gregor working, and the money he get's from working. So Gregor seems like the independent, and him family is dependent on him and him alone. So Gregor is their life, house, food, and care. He provides everything for them. But then Gregor turns into a bug. And his family ends up taking care of him. They start to become independent, and Gregor is dependent on them. Soon, the family see Gregor as a nuisance and they want to get rid of him. When he dies, still as a bug, the family evolves into better people. Without him, their lives are more open. They have more opportunity and they are happier. So by Gregor's dying, he helped his family. That was his purpose in life.
ReplyDeleteThis story is surreal because on the outside it seemed like the family was too busy to care for Gregor since everybody was working. Gregor's room was covered in dust and he didn't eat because the sister didn't bother to feed him food he would enjoy. But if you look at it from a deeper perspective, this part of the story could mean more than just being too busy to take care of a "pet." It could tell of how people get too caught up in the rush of life that they tend to forget about what's truly important. Our focus in life then shifts from personal things such as family and friends to more materialistic things such as money and work.
ReplyDeleteHow is this story "surreal" (abstract and revealing a deeper underlying truth)?
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis was surreal because it seemed to be an abstract version of Kafka's life and how he felt about events that were happening. One example can be his father and how he was nothing like his dad. His dad was mean and expected a lot from him and wasn't very appreciative. Another example is with Gregor's sister was favored in the end. Kafka's sisters were favored over him so this can be an interpretation of what happened to him. Gregor becoming a vermin or cockroach can be how Kafka felt like he was being changed because of events in his life. Maybe after the way his father treated him and how everyone was favored over him turned him into something unwanted by everyone, like a vermin.
Metamorphosis is a story that reveals a deeper meaning. The story is about a man name gregor who is transformed overnigt into a cockroach. He learns and adapts to his new life, but misses his humanity and being able to communicate with his family. The deeper meaning beneath this story is many things. Part of it has to do with the relationship of his father and him. I think in the beginning of the book, when gregor describes his description of his appearence, it resembles that he tries to act tough to impress his father, but really he is sensative and weak. His sister grete was favored by his family in real life and in the book, it was opposite gregor was favored in the beginning, but then in the end, everyone see's that grete is useful and beautiful. I think as a boy no one really payed attention to gregor, so that shows when he turned into a bug, that the family starts to forget about him. This story describes how his life was as he grew up and what he felt toward his family. The story reflects back on his life and he expresses his feelings through Gregor's life as a man and then a bug.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is an existential tale. Gregor, the story's main protagonist, is all but only existing during the duration of the story- not at all living. He only occupied a space in his family's and his own life, not at all did he truly begin to live until his transformation. His meaning in life did not exist until his metamorphosis was complete: he only existed to hinder his family's lives when he was still human. Near the end of the book, as Gregor lay dying alone in the dark, he was struck with the dark peace of mind that he was finally content. With his death, his meaning was fulfilled in that his meager end brought his family's lives to a start. Thus, his meaning in life only held any sort of weight in his death.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis was surreal because it was an abstract story that didn’t really seem to make sense at first but as we read into it and also into Kafka’s letter to his father, it seems like the story has a deeper meaning connecting to his feelings towards his father throughout life. He felt like his father was always superior to him and like he couldn’t please his father so maybe Gregor’s cockroach/vermin state represents Kafka’s feeling that he might have been a pest in the eyes of his father throughout his life. By definition, a vermin is also unwanted and very irritating and disliked so I think this reflects Kafka’s feelings in real life.
ReplyDeleteMetamorphosis had a type of “surreal” meaning to the story. Starting off the story was that Gregor Samsa had turned into a vermin over night, that is pretty surreal for a human being to just wake up one morning an become a bug like creature. It had never happened before. This story could also be a meaning to Kafka’s life himself. Kafka always felt like an inferior version of his father, so in the story when Gregor had turned into a vermin, he became different from his family and no one really paid attention to him. This vermin is a representation of Kafka’s actual feelings of his own life.
ReplyDeleteMetamorphosis had a type of "surreal" meaning to it because how Gregor is a vermin that is human size that has an abstract feeling to it, and when you first read the book you don't really understand the full meaning, but once you read the letter to his father you can tell there is meaning because the abstract parts. For example Kafka's father always called him a vermin so there was a deeper meaning behind the story and how Gregor was an abstract vermin. I believe Kafka's trying to put under the truth through Metamorphosis.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is surreal in that through an element of science fiction that seems out of place in a realistic world, it speaks of a deeper truth about family dynamics and one's place in society. Gregor is a human who does work and not much else. He is not a creative being, nor has he achieved any measure of self-actualization. He is really no better than a vermin productively and no better than a rodent in terms of his humanity. It takes his demise for the family to shed their obsession with money and structure and emerge from their cocoons.
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"The Metamorphosis" is a story of how an ordinary middle-aged man named Gregor Samson, endures a series of complications that change his life forever. This story is also surreal. The main problem that he encounters is when he wakes up one day in the body of a vermin. This is the abstract part of the book because in reality something like this is most likely not possible. The deeper meaning that is revealed throughout the story is that "The Metamorphosis" is a reflection of Franz Kafka's life. Kafka's father saw Kafka as an annoyance which is similar to a vermin. Gregor who was depended on heavily in the family suddenly changed into a vermin, which is what Kafka felt like. Another deeper meaning would have to be how Gregor is similar to Jesus Christ. Just like Jesus, Gregor was a humble and lowly creature who did everything in his power for the benefit of the people he loved. In this case, when Gregor was still human he worked diligently at his job so that his family could live a wonderful life. When Gregor died, it's as if he took all the pain and suffering away from his family along with his passing. Even after his death, he was able to give his family a better life that they deserved.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is “surreal” and abstract because of its deeper meanings and underlying symbolism. Gregor who had turned from a human into a vermin could have transformed into this because of him being a workaholic. He had invested so much time into his job that there was barely any contact with his family and it was rare for him to even acquire a social life, which then lead to this metamorphosis. Along with the isolation came the mistreatment when he had turned into a creature, he was neglected and in a way this could have represented Kafka’s life too. He had experienced treatment similar to Gregor especially with his father who had mistreated him as a child. This, along with many other symbols is a representation of Kafka’s feelings towards his own life in the form of Gregor’s transformation and his story.
ReplyDeleteSurrealism plays a great role in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”. In the first chapter, Gregor turns into a vermin. This is the unrealistic part of the book because no one can actually turn into a human sized cockroach. Gregor turning into a cockroach symbolizes how he is not needed in his family because as a vermin all he does is hinder them. Another underlying truth of Metamorphosis is that Gregor’s death allows for his sister Grete to flourish. The realistic aspect of this book is that Kafka’s father, like Gregor’s, did not always treat him with the respect he deserved. Kafka’s father abused him frequently and favored Kafka’s sister. Similar to Kafka’s real life story, in “Metamorphosis”, Gregor’s sister Grete becomes the family favorite and blossoms after Gregor’s death.
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ReplyDeleteSurreal works imply an underlying truth to what is being told in the story. Gregor Samsa woke one morning to find that he had metamorphed into a vermin. Taking the underlying meaning to this sentence, Gregor Samsa has become a nuisance for his family. His transformation is the central event which drives this novel to a surreal state. Once, Gregor Samsa was the one to provide income for the entire family. Now, his younger sister takes care of him, representing a shift in authority and responsibility. As the story goes on, we find that the sister receives more attention and respect from the parents, which is new to her. Basking in her new authority, she feels the need to do everything for Gregor and speak as his representative. She eventually neglects Gregor and is the first to suggest getting rid of him. This might perhaps represent her greed for all attention from the parents, and getting rid of Gregor would only make it easier for her. A strange reaction from the family ensued Gregor’s death. They seem to be unable to recognize Gregor as anything human anymore. His slow decline represents him drifting to becoming even more inhuman. This prompts the family to believe that Gregor is not Gregor anymore, but a monstrous threat that would endanger the entire family. From their reaction and Gregor’s death, we can assume that this was a moment for them to bloom and become who they were destined to be.
In “The Metamorphosis”, Gregor Samsa faced many trials and misfortunes while being a cockroach. As the story begins, Gregor awakens to find himself transformed into a new body, the body of a cockroach. In reality, we all know that transforming into a vermin over night is impossible. Kafka uses this transformation of Gregor to reveal that Gregor and he are quite alike in some ways. In Kafka’s letter to his father, he admits and apologizes for being an irritation, comparable to a vermin. Another underlying truth is that just like in the story; Kafka spent most of his time on his job and less time with his family. The separation between Kafka and his family made it clear that his family could live on without him. Kafka, was just an annoyance to his family, just like Gregor to his family.
ReplyDeleteThe story in the book “The Metamorphosis” is surreal for many reasons. First, Gregor Samsa transforms overnight into a vermin. This event has a deeper meaning because Gregor was an annoyance to his family, and him transforming into a vermin portrays this annoyance. After reading Kafka’s letter to his father, we learn that the story has a deeper meaning. The storyline relates to Kafka’s life and his relationship with his father.
ReplyDeleteThe book Metamorphosis is existential because before Gregor Samsa became a vermin, his family depended on him too much for everything like money and being a provider for the family. When Gregor Samsa did turn into a vermin, his family had to become less dependent on Gregor and they were able to venture out on their own to make a living and be able to work and find themselves. Gregor turning into a vermin was a reason for Grete to make a change. When Gregor died at the very end, Grete and his family was able to finally be happy.
ReplyDeleteThe story “The Metamorphosis” is a surreal book. It starts of somewhat normal and then this person Gregor Samsa turns into a vermin/roach. It could be a representation of the Arthur’s mind and all the fears that he had. In real life no one can just wake up and be come a bug. It does not make sense that he would turn into a bug. Kafka relationship with his father is portrayed in the book because Gregor also did not have a good relationship with his father. Kafka could have written in a different way of how his life was in the book because sometimes some Arthurs make a story and them as the main character. Grete, Gregor’s sister, ends up with the change for the better because she has matured and became a woman. She stretches out like a butterfly after being in a cocoon so long.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is surreal in many ways. The story has very abstract writing, but with critical thinking, there is a deeper and underlying truth. For example, the statement that claimed Grete stretching out her body was surreal because if you interpret this statement literally, you'll find it useless. But this statement could also possibly mean that Grete was coming out of her cocoon and completing her metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. This story is also teaching the readers a lesson. Gregor spent worked in order to support his family financially, but once he turned into a vermin, they were disgusted by him and they were mad because he no longer could do anything to help them, since he was the only person in the family working. The family didn't realize how hard it was for Gregor to support them because he couldn't live his life for himself, but to life his life and work so his family could have a comfortable life.
ReplyDeleteMetamorphosis is portrayed as a surreal story when Gregor unrealistically transforms into a Vermin, there is an underlying truth; it reflects Franz Kafka’s life as well. Being a Vermin is like being a nuisance to his family. Gregor and Kafka’s lives clearly depict this fact. Neither of them feels like they are needed in their family and they are simply hindering the lives of others. In the beginning of the story, Gregor’s sister, Grete was portrayed as a sister who did not financially help her family, but cared and loved her brother dearly. Her family was not indispensable towards her as they were to Gregor (he was supporting the family financially). As the story carries on, Grete transforms into a young lady that supports her family, physically and emotionally. She becomes the “favorite” of the two siblings. The underlying truth to this could depict Kafka’s family as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is an existential work. In this story, Gregor Samsa is physically transformed into a vermin or cockroach over-night. Before this occurrence, Gregor was depended on greatly by his family members, particularly involving money. However, this all changed when Gregor was transformed. All took up their own jobs to provide for each other, and in a way became more independent. His family even began to think of Gregor as hindrance to their development as individuals and as a family. They did not bother to care for him and considered him a burden to their living. When Gregor eventually dies, the Samsa family evolves. They take on more opportunities and do what they please. Ultimately, Gregor's death allowed his family to be happier in life.
ReplyDeleteMetamorphosis is a surreal story because it is very abstract and withholds many symbols that have deeper meanings to them. For example Gregor turning into a bug is very surreal, it’s impossible for this to happen in real life. This story is symbolic with many different meanings that possibly had connections to Kafka’s life, his family, and himself. Such as when Gregor was getting Apples thrown at him, connected to Kafka and how his dad was mean to him, and sometimes even abused.
ReplyDelete“The Metamorphosis” is a story surreal in the sense that not much makes sense. When looking literally at this story, the reader sees the depressing life of a man turned into a monster, mistreated by his family, and then starved to death. The behavior of the characters during this is somewhat surreal because of the way they react in certain situations. When Gregor was turned into a bug, he was barely surprised, much less concerned about his new body. For some reason, his family members did not panic or freak out. On top of this, it is never explained why Gregor has turned into a bug in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis can be existential because it’s message underneath can be interpreted in different ways. One could look at it as the depiction of the sorrows, fears, and experiences that Franz Kafka went through in his life. One can see it as an example of how similar and different humans are than beasts. It can also be seen as a way to show how humans react with strange occurrences.
I view the story of "The Metamorphosis" as surreal. That is mainly because it beholds impossible events, such as when Gregor Samsa turns into a vermin. It is absolutely abstract that Gregor can simple transform into a giant vermin without any legitimate reason since he was portrayed as a kind person. However, there is a meaning behind why he was transformed into a vermin. It portrays the author's life and how he felt. Many of the events that took place in the story had a deeper meaning to it than what was actually taking place.
ReplyDeleteThe book "The Metamorphosis" is seen as surreal because the main character, Gregor Samsa, is transformed into a certain vermin, possibly a dung beetle. In real life, there are no stories of people who get transformed into bugs over night. The underlying truth in this book could be Franz Kafka's personal relationship with his family. In the book, Gregor's father gave me an impression of a strong patriarch as Kafka had described his father to be in his letter. Also it shows the underlying truth with his family when you compare Gregor's relationship with his sister. Gregor's sister got all the attention when Gregor became a vermin just like how Kafka's younger sister got more attention from his father because she resembled her mother more than him.
ReplyDeleteThe book “The Metamorphosis” deals with some existentialism. Gregor, the main character, is trying to find his new place in his family. In the beginning of the book, Gregor’s job and position in the family is to make the money. He works as a traveling salesman to pay off his parents’ debt. No one else in his family works; he provides money that allows the family to own a flat, have a maid, and live good lives. In the first sentence of the book, Gregor is transformed into a “horrible vermin.” From this point on he tries to discover his new place in his family. Gregor’s father is ashamed of him, his mother faints whenever she sees him, and his sister leaves food out for him and later resents him. Since Gregor is this creature, he cannot work and provide for his family, and his family treats him like a burden and an outcast. Gregor doesn’t know who he is. However, at the end of the story, after Gregor dies, his family goes on a vacation and begins their new life. In conclusion, Gregor’s role in life is to provide for his family by dying so that they could live. His life ends while his sister’s new stage of life begins.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is a surrealistic story in the sense that the entire book is based upon an impossible reality. Gregor awakes one morning and finds himself transformed into a despicable vermin. The readers are given no explanation and so everything is almost dream-like. Kafka combines a realistic setting with an unrealistic circumstance (turning into a giant vermin) to bring about a surrealistic story that holds a deeper, symbolic meaning. One symbolic meaning that this book could have tried to portray was Kafka’s own life situation. The events in this book reflect the events and situations in Kafka’s own life: how his dad abused him, how he was only close to his sister, and so many more. The book also portrays how Kafka was belittled by his own family. Just as how Gregor was ignored and forgotten about by his own family, Kafka was shown little love and compassion in his family. Through the book, I suspect that Kafka was trying to portray about him being the “vermin” in his own family: someone who is unwanted and is denied love. Another symbolic meaning that this story could have held is that being too materialistic and putting too much emphasis on work can kill you. In the book, the whole family was driven to their “depressive” state by money. Gregor focused his entire existence on working and providing for the family. He was a slave and ends up dying in the end. After he transformed into a vermin, the only thing that the rest of the family could focus on was working and finding ways to make money. When the family only focused on money and their jobs, their lives were a wreck. After Gregor dies, the family starts to realize what they have and stops putting so much emphasis on work and money. Only then were they truly happy and able to see that they had a bright future ahead of them. Society is too materialistic. Working too much and caring too much for money is harmful to society and its people!
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis is “surreal” because it symbolically represents Kafka’s life and also the absurdity of Gregor’s reaction to his transformation. It is surreal that Gregor would only think about how he was going to get to work folllowing his transformation. This symbolizes how we, as humans and a society, worry about the little things in life, rather than the big picture and how life can be automated and disconnected. In the book, Gregor feels isolated from his family and then he is transformed into a vermin. Similarly, Kafka feels lonely and unwanted in his own family.
ReplyDeleteThe book "The Metamorphosis" is surreal because it is too illusive and fictional to occur in the real world. The main character, Gregor Samsa, transforms into a vermin and his whole life is flipped around since that moment. When Gregor was human, he used up all of his time on working and providing money for his family. While Gregor did all the work to make money for his family, his family did absolutely nothing. I know for sure that Gregor wasted his humanity on making money. Thus, he transforms into a vermin. Gregor never had a good relationship with his father, which is similar to Kafka's life. Gregor loses his humanity and his family starts to support themselves, which indicates that they don't need Gregor, the vermin, anymore.
ReplyDeleteThe book " The Metamorphosis " is very surreal. It is surreal because what happens in the book could not happen in real life. The book starts off with Gregor (the main character) wakes up to find himself transformed into a vermin. His whole life is completely changed by this event. He was once the main provided of his family but since his transformation he is not able to work in his new form. Gregor's family is frightened of him and doesn't want to see him. By the end of the book, Gregor ends up dying and his family goes on to live a happy life. One of the main reasons that this book is surreal is Gregor's reaction to his transformation. He was more or less unfazed about the whole thing, it is surreal that he only cared about making money rather than his appearance.
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