Autumn 2007: The dawn of a new school year brings 44 students together to explore unknown territory--English I Pre-IB. Together, they discuss themes of distant worlds and techniques of masters in certain crafts to ensure the survival of their colony. They build a trusting community through reading ancient texts and by documenting their own expeditions. Here stand their struggles, comtemplations, nuances, and legacies--both individual and collective. Read, respect and reflect!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Metaphor?
Some believe Gregor Samsa's external change is a metaphor for an internal change he has experienced. Looking back at chapter one, what evidence within the text supports this idea? What, then, has changed for Gregor internally?
I do not see an internal change in Gregor so far in the story. I think that the reason he turned into an insect will become be more obvious later in the story. He still thinks as he would as a human when he considers the amount of time he has to catch the train and get to work on time. Also, I feel as if he only changes externally because of how he feels people treat him or look at him. His father pushes him away with a stick and a newspaper as he would a spider. Maybe Gregor feels as if his father neglects him other times. Even though his parents pay for his education, job and housing, I see it as if they are trying to help him get out of their house and start a life on his own, as the stick resembles Gregor’s father trying to push him away. External change is the only difference I see in Gregor. So far, I see nothing that would change him internally.
Gregor has not taken on a full metamorphosis yet, but I feel that the story is leading to one because like all insects, they change from one stage to another through something called metamorphosis. Gregor throughout part I still thinks like his internal human self, but as he speaks, only an animal voice comes out. Gregor still feels like a human and acts like one, the only real changes in Gregor are his physical characteristics. (Gregor is now a cockroach with human intelligence)
Gregor may have experienced an internal change before the story starts for the reader. In chapter 1, Gregor seemed like a slave to his work and family. His life revolved around his work, and trying to provide for his family. He also did not seem satisfied or pleased with his work as a traveling salesmen, and disliked it greatly. Most likely, Gregor was not like how he is in the beginning of the book for his whole life. The metamorphosis of Gregor from a human to a bug, may represent the internal change of Gregor enjoying his life and personal freedom to being enslaved by his work.
I strongly agree with the previous posts. So far, I have not seen a large internal change in Gregor. Perhaps this is because the story started very abruptly, when Gregor awoke to find that he had been transformed into a large insect! At the beginning of the story, we really only know a few of Gregor's main characteristics. With the metamorphosis, Gregor acts and feels the same as he did (as a human). In fact, he even tried to leave for work, still as a bug!
Although I personally do not see a large internal change in Gregor yet, it is apparent that his family as well as his job changed his personality before the metamorphosis. “On the wall precisely opposite hung a photograph of Gregor that dated from his military service, showing him as a lieutenant, hand on sword, with a CAREFREE STYLE, DEMANDING RESPECT for his bearing and his uniform.” Perhaps the transformation happened as a result of Gregor’s previous personality change. He used to be “carefree…demanding respect” but he then changed into tired and almost grumpy man. Gregor may have turned into an insect also because of stress caused from working and/or his family. It seemed like Gregor’s father, also inflicted stress upon him, perhaps because it seemed to Gregor as if his father was pushing him away (as Demeter clearly stated =D )
Even though I see a greater external change for Gregor, I don’t clearly see a large internal change in him yet. However, some change in Gregor’s personality may have occurred when he was growing up, so much so that his family might not have even recognized him anymore.
There was not much evidence within the text that supports the idea of the internal change that Gregor experienced. One piece of evidence I found, though, was that although it seemed like it was Gregor's external change that prevented him from getting out of bed in the morning, it also symbolized his intertal change. He used to be very responsible and a hard worker, but now he is starting to flake off more and care less about his job. He couldn't get himself to get out of bed, he missed his train and upset his boss. There is not much more evidence yet, but I think as the story progresses, more and more evidence will appear.
I see Gregor's change into an insect on one that reflects his current life. The insect (which sounds like it is a roach) seems to be pitiful, unmajestic creature. Like Gregor in real life, the bug version of Gregor is not in complete control (his legs for instance). It also brongs to n=mind that in real life, Gregor was treated like a bug by his father, being pushed around. In a nut shell, Gregor's bug form is just a reflection of his current life.
Gregor's change to a bug basicly shows his personality. An example of this is the fact that he can not control his limbs that well; this relates to his inability to control his own life.His life is run mainly by his boss and his father. There will probably be another change in Gregor physically which would then show an internal change somewhere in the next chapter. I believe this because insects tend to go through physical changes throught their lives, and humans tend to go through internal changes throughout their lives as well.
Interesting comments so far! I especially find Prometheus' observation that insents change from stage to stage frequently and important note to make at this stage in the story.
The quote explaining Gregor's military experience that Medusa added also shows imprtant aspects of Gregor's character--he has changed in the past. Perhaps his past changes are just now manifesting themselves? Or perhaps this insect transformation is a new internal change the reader has yet to see. We read and wait in anticipation!
I agree with the previous posts. Gregor might have changed on the outside, but we do not see an internal change in part one. He still worries about work and getting out of bed in time. He acts like a human, but just in a bugs body. I think there might be an internal change later on in the book. The book starts very suddenley and if we knew a little more about Gregor's personality and traits, we could understand him more. He might have had an internal change, but it is not shown in part one.
I see the whole story of Gregor as a metaphor. Like Demeter stated, the father pushes Gregor away and controls his life. This must make gregor feel as if he is a bug or he has no say in his life. Gregor is internally more dependent because he needs more from his family since he cannot reach things himself or cannot do by himself. Also, he felt shame because his mother and sister would not look at him and I am sure Franz Kafka must have felt shame in his lifetime. He had no power in his life and had a hard relationship with his father like Gregor has in the story.
All bugs change during the course, of their life. I think that, so far, Gregor's change has been almost completely external. Like other bloggers stated, I think that his internally change in life will become more obvious as the story progresses. The only thing I would say has changed internally is that now he doesn't have to obey his parents as much and his work isn't the center of his life, like it is implied during his initial thoughts. These thoughts are not concerned about being a bug but only on the fact that he will be late for his train to work and that will go against his perfect record. His thoughts are not focused on the concern of being a gigantic cockroach or anything of that sort. So, I think that as the story goes on, it will become more obvious that Gregor's change is not only external, but internal too.
I believe Gregor Samsa has changed internally, but before the story took place. He says in part one several times how his father never accepted him, and I believe that is what creates Gregor's internal change. His external change is from a human to a bug or beatle, and I believe this change occured because Gregor does not feel noticed. He feels like just another tiny bug that nobody knows is there. He is not even accepted by his family, and just like how in part one all of his struggles as a bug are said repeatetly, nobody really notices that he is there and still a bug trying to get out of bed.
I agree that Gregor Samsa's transformation into a bug in the first part is a metaphor. I think that Franz Kafka wanted to really make Gregors unusual thoughts and ideas dramatic. Turning into an insect over night is physically impossible and Kafka really made his point my making this awkward situation a part of Gregor's internal change. I don't think Gregor's metamorphosis is complete, however i do think that his willingness to carry out his "duties" or continue his responsibilities is gone. I think that he has finally had enough and is starting to think about the reality of his pathetic life situation.
I believe that Gregor'r external change is a metaphor for his internal change. I agree that his internal change started to happen before the story began. He changed himself to suit his job and his parents to make money to support his family. Because of all of the pressure and responsibily he was starting to change internally and he couldn't be the person that he wanted to be. I don't beleive that he has finished his internal metamorphosis yet though, and throughout the story we will start to see him changing internally more and more.
Maybe the internal change for Gregor is that his purpose as a human being has completely changed into a supporter and follower of the poeple around him. He is no longer a person for himself, but for the people he lives and works with. Now that he has become a supporter internally, he changes to what that would be externally. Gregor changes into a bug. The text of the book supports my theory when it states the he is the sole supporter for his family and only works. Gregor's boss is a spineless pet to his own boss, that makes Gregor worse than that. What is worse than that, is a bug.
I think Greogors internal change is not as visible yet as his physical change. He seems to be trying to hold onto his life as a human, even though he is physicaly a bug. I also think that perhaps because he was socialy like a bug, the lonleyness is nothing new to him. So maybe there wont be any internal change in him because now his physical being is matched up with his internal being.
Gregor turning into an insect is a definate metephor for his job and his life. Gregor is seen as a slave to his work. He lives an happy life doing the bidding of his boss, and nothing else. A bug (like a cocroach) is also seen like this. It is an insect that spends it time cleaning up the waste for human living, and not its own. Upon his trannsformation, Gregor sees that he know has no major role in life. All he does is waste away the hours in his room, without a worry of work or otherwise. After all, he's only a bug, what CAN he do?
Although in part one, Gregor’s change internally is benign, his growing spite for his lackluster job, temperamental boss, and demanding family is imminent. Upon waking up one morning transformed into a giant cockroach, Gregor’s first thoughts revert to his job. While Gregor has always been the obedient son, it is evident he retains mixed feelings about his routinely profession forced on him by his parents. He silently complains about his early mornings, long commutes, and all the other tedious factors of being a traveling salesman. Gregor convinces himself he will quit and make his “big break” after he pays off his parents’ debt. At the same time, he ponders if there is still enough time to catch the late train to work. Although Gregor is noticeably annoyed at his new physical state, there is no horror, shock, or any other emotion linked to changing into a hideous many-legged pest. Quite the contrary, Gregor spends the better half of the morning trying to rock out of bed in order to open the door for his worried parents and annoyed clerk, thus, increasing job security. The fact that Gregor did not have a response of horror to his new state shows that a change internally happened long before the physical one. Gregor started feeling the burden of working hard for an under appreciating family and having his talents overlooked, much like an insect. At the same time, Gregor’s determination to open the door and his hopes of getting to work show he still cares for his family and do not find them entirely inconsiderate. His change is halfhearted and thus, the metamorphosis is not yet complete
I agree with Cupid. In my opinion, Gregor became unhuman earlier than we see. I feel his first metamorphosis occures as Gregor takes on more and more responsibility in his family. His freedom is restored in chapter 1 when he awakes a bug,this change is his second metamorphosis. One that has an obvious physical change, and slowly changes Gregor internally. As of chapter one, we only see a physical metamorphosis that has affected his spot in society, supporting his family. Maybe this "mutation" will help him "humanize" as he lets go of the responsibility he has aquired, and he will hopefully learn to think for himself.
21 comments:
I do not see an internal change in Gregor so far in the story. I think that the reason he turned into an insect will become be more obvious later in the story. He still thinks as he would as a human when he considers the amount of time he has to catch the train and get to work on time. Also, I feel as if he only changes externally because of how he feels people treat him or look at him. His father pushes him away with a stick and a newspaper as he would a spider. Maybe Gregor feels as if his father neglects him other times. Even though his parents pay for his education, job and housing, I see it as if they are trying to help him get out of their house and start a life on his own, as the stick resembles Gregor’s father trying to push him away. External change is the only difference I see in Gregor. So far, I see nothing that would change him internally.
Gregor has not taken on a full metamorphosis yet, but I feel that the story is leading to one because like all insects, they change from one stage to another through something called metamorphosis. Gregor throughout part I still thinks like his internal human self, but as he speaks, only an animal voice comes out. Gregor still feels like a human and acts like one, the only real changes in Gregor are his physical characteristics. (Gregor is now a cockroach with human intelligence)
Gregor may have experienced an internal change before the story starts for the reader. In chapter 1, Gregor seemed like a slave to his work and family. His life revolved around his work, and trying to provide for his family. He also did not seem satisfied or pleased with his work as a traveling salesmen, and disliked it greatly. Most likely, Gregor was not like how he is in the beginning of the book for his whole life. The metamorphosis of Gregor from a human to a bug, may represent the internal change of Gregor enjoying his life and personal freedom to being enslaved by his work.
I strongly agree with the previous posts. So far, I have not seen a large internal change in Gregor. Perhaps this is because the story started very abruptly, when Gregor awoke to find that he had been transformed into a large insect! At the beginning of the story, we really only know a few of Gregor's main characteristics. With the metamorphosis, Gregor acts and feels the same as he did (as a human). In fact, he even tried to leave for work, still as a bug!
Although I personally do not see a large internal change in Gregor yet, it is apparent that his family as well as his job changed his personality before the metamorphosis. “On the wall precisely opposite hung a photograph of Gregor that dated from his military service, showing him as a lieutenant, hand on sword, with a CAREFREE STYLE, DEMANDING RESPECT for his bearing and his uniform.” Perhaps the transformation happened as a result of Gregor’s previous personality change. He used to be “carefree…demanding respect” but he then changed into tired and almost grumpy man. Gregor may have turned into an insect also because of stress caused from working and/or his family. It seemed like Gregor’s father, also inflicted stress upon him, perhaps because it seemed to Gregor as if his father was pushing him away (as Demeter clearly stated =D )
Even though I see a greater external change for Gregor, I don’t clearly see a large internal change in him yet. However, some change in Gregor’s personality may have occurred when he was growing up, so much so that his family might not have even recognized him anymore.
There was not much evidence within the text that supports the idea of the internal change that Gregor experienced. One piece of evidence I found, though, was that although it seemed like it was Gregor's external change that prevented him from getting out of bed in the morning, it also symbolized his intertal change. He used to be very responsible and a hard worker, but now he is starting to flake off more and care less about his job. He couldn't get himself to get out of bed, he missed his train and upset his boss. There is not much more evidence yet, but I think as the story progresses, more and more evidence will appear.
I see Gregor's change into an insect on one that reflects his current life. The insect (which sounds like it is a roach) seems to be pitiful, unmajestic creature. Like Gregor in real life, the bug version of Gregor is not in complete control (his legs for instance). It also brongs to n=mind that in real life, Gregor was treated like a bug by his father, being pushed around. In a nut shell, Gregor's bug form is just a reflection of his current life.
Gregor's change to a bug basicly shows his personality. An example of this is the fact that he can not control his limbs that well; this relates to his inability to control his own life.His life is run mainly by his boss and his father. There will probably be another change in Gregor physically which would then show an internal change somewhere in the next chapter. I believe this because insects tend to go through physical changes throught their lives, and humans tend to go through internal changes throughout their lives as well.
Interesting comments so far! I especially find Prometheus' observation that insents change from stage to stage frequently and important note to make at this stage in the story.
The quote explaining Gregor's military experience that Medusa added also shows imprtant aspects of Gregor's character--he has changed in the past. Perhaps his past changes are just now manifesting themselves? Or perhaps this insect transformation is a new internal change the reader has yet to see. We read and wait in anticipation!
I agree with the previous posts. Gregor might have changed on the outside, but we do not see an internal change in part one. He still worries about work and getting out of bed in time. He acts like a human, but just in a bugs body. I think there might be an internal change later on in the book. The book starts very suddenley and if we knew a little more about Gregor's personality and traits, we could understand him more. He might have had an internal change, but it is not shown in part one.
I see the whole story of Gregor as a metaphor. Like Demeter stated, the father pushes Gregor away and controls his life. This must make gregor feel as if he is a bug or he has no say in his life. Gregor is internally more dependent because he needs more from his family since he cannot reach things himself or cannot do by himself. Also, he felt shame because his mother and sister would not look at him and I am sure Franz Kafka must have felt shame in his lifetime. He had no power in his life and had a hard relationship with his father like Gregor has in the story.
All bugs change during the course, of their life. I think that, so far, Gregor's change has been almost completely external. Like other bloggers stated, I think that his internally change in life will become more obvious as the story progresses. The only thing I would say has changed internally is that now he doesn't have to obey his parents as much and his work isn't the center of his life, like it is implied during his initial thoughts. These thoughts are not concerned about being a bug but only on the fact that he will be late for his train to work and that will go against his perfect record. His thoughts are not focused on the concern of being a gigantic cockroach or anything of that sort. So, I think that as the story goes on, it will become more obvious that Gregor's change is not only external, but internal too.
I believe Gregor Samsa has changed internally, but before the story took place. He says in part one several times how his father never accepted him, and I believe that is what creates Gregor's internal change. His external change is from a human to a bug or beatle, and I believe this change occured because Gregor does not feel noticed. He feels like just another tiny bug that nobody knows is there. He is not even accepted by his family, and just like how in part one all of his struggles as a bug are said repeatetly, nobody really notices that he is there and still a bug trying to get out of bed.
I agree that Gregor Samsa's transformation into a bug in the first part is a metaphor. I think that Franz Kafka wanted to really make Gregors unusual thoughts and ideas dramatic. Turning into an insect over night is physically impossible and Kafka really made his point my making this awkward situation a part of Gregor's internal change. I don't think Gregor's metamorphosis is complete, however i do think that his willingness to carry out his "duties" or continue his responsibilities is gone. I think that he has finally had enough and is starting to think about the reality of his pathetic life situation.
I believe that Gregor'r external change is a metaphor for his internal change. I agree that his internal change started to happen before the story began. He changed himself to suit his job and his parents to make money to support his family. Because of all of the pressure and responsibily he was starting to change internally and he couldn't be the person that he wanted to be. I don't beleive that he has finished his internal metamorphosis yet though, and throughout the story we will start to see him changing internally more and more.
Maybe the internal change for Gregor is that his purpose as a human being has completely changed into a supporter and follower of the poeple around him. He is no longer a person for himself, but for the people he lives and works with. Now that he has become a supporter internally, he changes to what that would be externally. Gregor changes into a bug. The text of the book supports my theory when it states the he is the sole supporter for his family and only works. Gregor's boss is a spineless pet to his own boss, that makes Gregor worse than that. What is worse than that, is a bug.
I think Greogors internal change is not as visible yet as his physical change. He seems to be trying to hold onto his life as a human, even though he is physicaly a bug. I also think that perhaps because he was socialy like a bug, the lonleyness is nothing new to him. So maybe there wont be any internal change in him because now his physical being is matched up with his internal being.
Gregor turning into an insect is a definate metephor for his job and his life. Gregor is seen as a slave to his work. He lives an happy life doing the bidding of his boss, and nothing else. A bug (like a cocroach) is also seen like this. It is an insect that spends it time cleaning up the waste for human living, and not its own. Upon his trannsformation, Gregor sees that he know has no major role in life. All he does is waste away the hours in his room, without a worry of work or otherwise. After all, he's only a bug, what CAN he do?
Although in part one, Gregor’s change internally is benign, his growing spite for his lackluster job, temperamental boss, and demanding family is imminent.
Upon waking up one morning transformed into a giant cockroach, Gregor’s first thoughts revert to his job. While Gregor has always been the obedient son, it is evident he retains mixed feelings about his routinely profession forced on him by his parents. He silently complains about his early mornings, long commutes, and all the other tedious factors of being a traveling salesman. Gregor convinces himself he will quit and make his “big break” after he pays off his parents’ debt. At the same time, he ponders if there is still enough time to catch the late train to work.
Although Gregor is noticeably annoyed at his new physical state, there is no horror, shock, or any other emotion linked to changing into a hideous many-legged pest. Quite the contrary, Gregor spends the better half of the morning trying to rock out of bed in order to open the door for his worried parents and annoyed clerk, thus, increasing job security.
The fact that Gregor did not have a response of horror to his new state shows that a change internally happened long before the physical one. Gregor started feeling the burden of working hard for an under appreciating family and having his talents overlooked, much like an insect.
At the same time, Gregor’s determination to open the door and his hopes of getting to work show he still cares for his family and do not find them entirely inconsiderate. His change is halfhearted and thus, the metamorphosis is not yet complete
I agree with Cupid. In my opinion, Gregor became unhuman earlier than we see. I feel his first metamorphosis occures as Gregor takes on more and more responsibility in his family. His freedom is restored in chapter 1 when he awakes a bug,this change is his second metamorphosis. One that has an obvious physical change, and slowly changes Gregor internally. As of chapter one, we only see a physical metamorphosis that has affected his spot in society, supporting his family. Maybe this "mutation" will help him "humanize" as he lets go of the responsibility he has aquired, and he will hopefully learn to think for himself.
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