B1B Spring 2023- Metamorphosis by Sharon Rowland https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq After carefully thinking about the Freudian Approach and listening to my reading, do you think Gregor indeed is a vermin? Get evidence from the text to prove that he is or is not to defend your position. Is a neurotic symptom possible in Gregor, this former military lieutenant, and if it is identify his neurotic symptom. Offer your commentary on these points reply to 2 peers' commentary. en-us 2022-04-08 03:53:14 UTC 2023-03-29 18:28:32 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f41e.png The Vermin, Gregor: Joedina Crocker https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2520433986 Gregor, from the very beginning of the book describes himself as having vermin attributes, including his "sectioned" "brown belly" and his "many legs" (Kafka 3). Though Gregor showed physical signs of his transformation into a vermin, his transformation into a vermin also affected his way of thinking and his behavior. For example, when his sister brought many foods for Gregor to eat, he would take the things he "wanted to eat a bit farther away" ultimately leaving a mess for his sister to clean despite her hospitality towards him (Kafka 25). Later on, his behavior became worse as his family began dehumanizing him. He began to start "hanging from the ceiling" (Kafka 31). Not only did Gregor leave constant messes for the family to clean, he also showed distaste and a lack of gratitude for the food that the family gave him, for example, he stated, "I'm hungry enough [...] but not for these things" (Kafka 47). Clearly, the whole family struggled with nutrition because on page 26, Gregor recognized that the family "hardly ate anything" (Kafka 26). This shows Gregor's selfish neurotic symptom possibly due to his family alienating him and confining him into one room. It seemed as though every time Gregor left his room, he was aggressively forced back into his room. Including the incident where his father began "pitching apples one after another" towards Gregor (Kafka 39). Due to his family treating him more and more like a vermin, Gregor began to accept the title and "wear" the title so to speak, undertaking the physical behavior and mental thoughts of an insect.]]> 2023-03-17 05:16:11 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2520433986 Gregor alyssaspivy2005 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2521092850 Gregor is indeed a vermin. He is also mentally sick. He never stopped once to think about why he was transformed into a vermin; he just goes along with it.
Franz Kafka describes Gregor as a vermin with''the arch of a brown abdomen, divided into stiff, domed segments...[and] A regiment of puny legs conjures up something between a centipede and a cockroach" (Kafka 18). Gregor tries to tell himself that it was just a dream; that he wasn't really a vermin but a few minutes later he ends up admitting that "it was no dream" (Kafka 18). 
Because of his transformation into a vermin, he had to learn to adapt with his new body. This meant he had to change his way of thinking and behavior. When his sister, Grete, brought him food, he would only eat certain items and then push the rest away (Kafka 60). 
When his family began dehumanizing him, he began "to hang upside down" (Kafka 74) from the ceiling. As time went on, Gregor's neurotic symptom showed.
He began not eating the food that his sister brought him. He would say to himself " 'I am hungry'...'but not for that kind of food' " (Kafka 106). This is a result of his selfish neurotic symptom. ]]> 2023-03-17 15:50:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2521092850 Gregor's Metamorphosis - Jakob Sage 5770531 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2530610840 Despite Gregor in the Metamorphosis waking up with “many legs” and an enormous “brown belly,” he does not actually transform into a giant insect (Kafka 3). Instead, Gregor thinks of himself as an insect or vermin because of the stipulations that society and his family put on him, so he visually sees himself as one due to mental illness. Before being a salesman, he was a military lieutenant so it can be theorized that he was physically and mentally injured. The severe stress from being in the military and his family’s dependence on him could have set off something like schizophrenia. He could be physically injured, so he sees himself as a selfish vermin without worth. As the story progresses, Gregor becomes more mentally sick and more selfish really becoming the insect he feels he is. He starts to want to “eat a bit farther away” and makes a giant mess for his sister to clean (Kafka 25). He loses his human feelings like sympathy and becomes unaware of his destructive and selfish behavior like a literal insect. Because of implied societal standards and Gregor’s family, it can be argued that he suffered from a mental illness that eventually led to his demise. 

]]> 2023-03-24 15:41:35 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2530610840 Metamorphosis (Nathan Chen) nathanielchen2023 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531517671 According to the Freudian Approach, the character of Gregor from "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka can be analyzed through the lens of his psychological struggles. Some argue that Gregor's transformation into an insect symbolizes his feelings of worthlessness and isolation, while others argue that it represents his desire to escape his oppressive life. However, it is not accurate to label Gregor as a vermin, as this term carries connotations of disgust and dehumanization. In the novel, Gregor's transformation is described as "a gigantic insect" (Kafka 3). However, this description does not necessarily imply that he is a vermin. Instead, it can be interpreted as a metaphor for his inner turmoil and alienation. Furthermore, the narrator declares that "the insect itself was not to blame" (Kafka 6), indicating that Gregor is not responsible for his transformation and should not be judged based on his appearance.

Regarding Gregor's potential neurotic symptoms, it is possible to identify one in his behavior. Specifically, he exhibits symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in his obsession with his job and his compulsive need to work, even after his transformation. For example, he remarks, "I've got the firm's traveling salesman to worry about" (Kafka 3), demonstrating his preoccupation with his work responsibilities. Additionally, he repeatedly attempts to leave his room and go to work, even though his family urges him to stay in his room. This behavior can be interpreted as a compulsion, as he is unable to resist the urge to work, even though it is no longer necessary or beneficial to him.

In conclusion, while Gregor's transformation into an insect may symbolize his psychological struggles, it is inaccurate to label him as a vermin. Furthermore, he exhibits symptoms of OCD, specifically an obsessive preoccupation with work and compulsive behavior.
]]> 2023-03-25 23:52:20 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531517671 Metamorphosis - Emily Dowden https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531532540 Although Gregor describes his physical features as vermin-like, his mental state concerns this factor. Gregor describes himself with an "armour-like back", "many legs", and "brown belly" (Kafka 1). These physical attributes are believed to define Gregor as an insect but it is instead his family that thinks of him as a vermin. His family always has a dependence on Gregor through his job, and when Gregor did not show up to work the one morning, his family knew something was going on. Gregor could possibly be described as a "worker ant" in the eyes of his family. He was alive to care and finance the family, as a worker ant is there to provide for the queen's needs. Gregor's family dehumanized his attributes and this is what Gregor believes makes him a vermin. These beliefs lead Gregor to his own death and the family says, "Come and 'ave a look at this, it's dead, just lying there, stone dead!" (Kafka 51). This brings a sense of relief to the family but notice how they say "it's." The use of the word "it's" proves that Gregor was nothing but a pure insect to the family. ]]> 2023-03-26 00:57:13 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531532540 Metamorphosis - Roxanna Tapia roxannatapia2601 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531568609 Gregor’s transformation is actually quite interesting. I do believe that Gregor is a vermin considering the reactions his family had upon seeing him. His family and coworker were worried that he may be very ill but upon seeing him his mother “sank down” to the floor, the chief hurriedly backed away and ran out the flat, and his father wept so powerfully that his “chest shook” (Kafka 13). I’ve noticed that a majority of Gregor’s transformation pains happen after he experiences neurotic symptoms like negative feelings or selfishness. The first instance occurred when he felt sad from the rain and lazily tried to sleep in (Kafka 1). He takes note of his transformation, however he continues about as if it’s normal. He doesn’t freak out or seek help till later when he is urged out of bed by his family and coworker (Kafka 11). I theorize that the transformation therefore slowly took place over a period of time without Gregor or others noticing. I believe that his transformation started because Gregor had a vermin-like mind or tendencies. Gregor explicitly states his dislike for his career and responsibilities as a provider for his family (Kafka 7, 14). Which leads me to believe that his laziness and sluggish lifestyle were the cause of his transformation, however this is just a theory. As Gregor grows more comfortable and accepts his new life as a bug, the effects of his transformation worsen. Gregor was a human sized bug in the beginning of the book as the “bedding was hardly able to cover” his body (Kafka 1) but as the story progresses his size gets smaller that even strangers didn’t pay any mind to Gregor except for the fact that he is a bug. Gregor becomes more depressed, anxious, selfish, and lazy throughout the story. In the beginning he showed some genuine care of what was to happen to his family should he stop working, “Gregor …. Felt a great pride that he was able to provide a life like that in such a nice home for his sister and parents. But what now, if all this peace and wealth and comfort should come to a horrible and frightening end?” (Kafka 20). After the thought Gregor scrambled about the room in hopes of getting out. That soon however changed, “he was not at all in the mood to look after his family… he made plans of how to get into the pantry where he could take all the things he was entitled to, even if he was not hungry” (Kafka 40). Gregor was well aware that his family did not eat much and was struggling financially, but he was enraged with the lack of attention he received and greedily wanted to eat all he could, his human mind becoming more vermin-like. Gregor normalized his life as a vermin, “there was now all the more reason to keep himself hidden as he was covered in the dust that lay everywhere” (Kafka 45). In time his family began to treat him as such, the more he changed. ~ Roxanna Tapia 


]]> 2023-03-26 03:16:44 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531568609 Gregor the Vermin (Shelsy Estrada) shelsyortiz0429 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531599373 Gregor Samsa was a man who was treated poorly by those he loved and adorned. The ones he took care of abandoned him at his lowest. The novella “The Metamorphosis” by Kafka explains that Gregor awoke and came to the realization he was turned into an insect. It was stated “he had a brown belly many thin legs and an armor-like back” (Kafka 1). Gregor is seen as a vermin but longs for affection and to be loved for his hard work. That is what Gregor fears most being lonely and miserable when the ability to provide for his family was deprived of him and when he was stripped of his hard work, he felt meaningless. It was stated in the novella that “On the wall exactly opposite there was a photograph of Gregor when he was a lieutenant in the army, his sword in his hand and a carefree smile on his face he called forth the respect for his uniform and bearing.” (Kafka 17) This caption shows that Gregor was more than sane and was a nobleman. The word vermin is only depicted once throughout the whole novella in the opening statement to show a visual of Gregor as an insect. Some neurotic symptoms can be seen in Gregor as he is seen to want sympathy when he became an insect. An example is when Gregor expresses himself as useless after turning into the insect. He was a chore and an inconvenience but what proves that Gregor is a vermin is that Karl Marx pointed out Hegemony as Gregor was in the lower class the Proletariat. Where the social norms were men were seen as the breadwinners of the family when he was unable to produce, he was seen more as a burden to the family and became the vermin.]]> 2023-03-26 05:19:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531599373 Metamorphosis- Aleyna Lencioni https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531630126 Gregor seems to pity himself deeply, and through this pity he finds endless reasons to not get up at the time he is supposed to at the beginning of the book. When debating about whether to get out of bed or not he states "And even if he did catch that train he would not avoid his boss's anger as the office assistant would have been there to see the five o'clock train go,..."(Kafka 3). With that statement Gregor comes to the conclusion that since he'll be in trouble he shouldn't go to work at all. His now "vermin" exterior serves a an excuse to his lazy and vermin-like actions. After all, how could he help being like that in his current state.]]> 2023-03-26 07:17:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531630126 Sophia Wheeler - Gregor The Vermin: A Freudian Approach SophiaWheeler04 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531692872 In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis, Kafka not only physically depicts Gregor Samson as a vermin, but also portrays Gregor as a nuisance to the family and an outsider in his own home. Gregor's transformation into a vermin upends the social order and allows him to indulge his instinctual desires without the constraints of societal norms, which would be the manifestation of the id. For instance, Gregor admits that "There were times when he simply became too tired to continue listening, when his head would fall wearily against the door," which illustrates his lazy state (Kafka 25). Since the id represents the primitive part of the psyche that seeks immediate gratification, Gregor's transformation allows him to satisfy his id and rest without worrying about the consequences or his family's judgment. By transforming into a vermin, Gregor becomes freed from the constraints of his previous life and acts on his desires without guilt or shame. However, Gregor's transformation also led to his alienation and isolation from society. This can be interpreted as a manifestation of the superego, which imposes moral and ethical norms on the individual. For example, his family can no longer bear to look at him and his sister, Grete, gets disgusted by his presence whenever she sees him. This suggests that Gregor has broken societal norms by becoming a vermin. His status as a vermin is further reinforced when he realizes that his transformation has caused him to lose his job, leading him to become more and more isolated from the outside world. Thus, highlighting the power of the superego to control and regulate individuals, forcing them to conform to society's expectations regardless of the cost. Furthermore, the role of the ego in Gregor's neurotic symptom can be seen as an attempt to maintain a sense of identity and agency in the face of conflicting internal and external pressures. For instance, while Gregor's superego forces him to wake up early and go to work to support his family, his ego leads him to stay in bed out of anxiety, thus setting up an internal conflict. Gregor states, "'How about I sleep a little bit longer and forget all of this nonsense," showing his reluctance to accept his situation (Kafka 1). His self-denial and repression of his desires can be seen as an expression of neuroticism, as he cannot find a balance between his id impulses and his superego's moral and ethical norms. Ultimately, Gregor's inability to reconcile his own inner desires with his sense of duty and responsibility creates an ongoing internal struggle that results in his self-destructive behavior and his refusal to accept his new identity as a vermin. ]]> 2023-03-26 09:59:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531692872 Gregor- Rachell Becerril https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531986404 In Metamorphosis, Gregor is not actually a vermin. Back in 1915 when this book was written and published, the world had different views on illnesses. When Gregor wakes up from his sleep he describes himself as having an “Armour-like back”, a “brown belly” that was “divided by arches into stiff sections”, and “many legs” (Kafka 1). However, that is just how he felt about himself and how he thought his family saw him. This “transformation” had a great effect on him and on his family. For example, his family could no longer understand him when he spoke. The chief clerk states “Did you hear the way Gregor spoke just now? That was the voice of an animal” (Kafka 11). Gregor could understand what his family was saying and he felt as if he could talk normally but this wasn’t the case. Gregor definitely suffered from some sort of illness. This illness caused his family to start treating him as if he actually was a pest rather than a human being. His sister stopped caring so much about keeping his room clean and “she could see the dirt as well as he could but she had simply decided to leave him to it” (Kafka 40). It was as if his family had grown tired of him and didn’t care for his well being anymore, and due to this mistreatment, Gregor stopped eating. At the end Grogor felt like a burden to his family and didn’t want to be alive anymore causing them stress and sadness. 

]]> 2023-03-26 19:07:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2531986404 Metamorphosis- Madeline Moss madelinemoss2005 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532022320 Gregor is the sole provider for his family, his father refuses to work and his mother and sister cannot work. Gregor felt pitiful for himself, he would complain about not eating breakfast while the other traveling salesmen were at the office eating their breakfast. He would complain about his job, how it was more effort to do his job then to have his own business. Gregor hated his job, it seemed he only continued to work for his little sister, to get her into her dream school. Gregor looked down on himself, he wanted out of his life, he felt trapped. He had a boss that he felt he had to impress or he'd be fired, in the book it states, "...and even if he did catch the train he would not avoid his boss's anger as the office assistant would have beent there to see five o'clock train go..." (Kafka 3). Gregor was trapped in a family that relied on him for income, a job he hated, and he had no way of getting out. Gregor turned into the vermin he felt he was, unable to do anything, trapped within a room. His transformation was caused by isolation, going to work and home no where else everyday. Gregor had no friends and his family was not very supportive of Gregor. His sister was the only person who showed compassion and love towards Gregor throughout the novella. Ultimately, the transformation was caused by Gregor's constant self pity and desires to be free. He repressed the desires and they took over. Gregor turned into the vermin he felt he was. ]]> 2023-03-26 20:16:54 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532022320 Gregor-emily clayton https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532056294 After considering the Freudian approach and listening to the reading, I believe that Gregor is not actually a vermin or insect but his metamorphosis into a vermin was purely symbolic. It symbolizes the degrading lifestyle that Gregor leads to support his family. Gregor hated his job and felt trapped in his current situation with his boss “And even if he did catch the train he would not avoid his boss’s anger as the office assistant would have been there to see five o'clock train go...” (Kafka 3) Gregor hated his job and the responsibilities that his family had put on him. His transformation into the vermin showed that he completely flipped his previous lifestyle and became the vermin. ]]> 2023-03-26 21:19:19 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532056294 Gregor The Almost Vermin- Kya Haner https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532058661 Following his transformation, Gregor's self-pity and lack of action reflect that of a vermin. His dark perspective, and bleak outlook, resulting from the rejection of his family and friends, causes his character to become pitiful and poisonous. These attributes do not make up all of Gregor though. In the beginning of his journey, he makes conscious efforts to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and work hard. His poisonous indolence does not begin until after he transforms into the insect-like monstrosity. The transformation into the creature illustrates Gregor's degrading role as provider for his family. Gregor's life meant very little, he was miserable, "...And even if he did catch the train he would not avoid his boss's anger as the office assistant would have been there to see the five o'clock train go..." (Kafka 3). The mundane motions of each day meant that Gregor was stuck. His transformation gave him variety to say the least. Even in death, Gregor did not give upon the potential for acceptance, he longed for a life of support. That's why his transformation was so devastating to him.]]> 2023-03-26 21:24:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532058661 Metamorphosis -Shannon Cline https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532062134 In Franz Kafa's novel, Metamorphosis, the idea of Gregor being "vermin" is greatly described by his family treating and looking at his as if his humanity is completely gone. Not only does his family treat him as such "vermin," he also treats himself as one. Gregor constantly thinks of how sad his life is or creates excuses. As he lays in bed, he debates whether or not he should go to work, "His boss would certainly come round with the doctor from the medical insurance company, accuse his parents of having a lazy son, and the doctor believed that no-one was ever ill but that many were workshy," (Kafka, 3). Implying that even if Gregor called out sick, he would still be expected to show up, but even after considering this claim of laziness, he still decides to lay in bed thinking of excuses and his current problems demonstrating his slow and lazy habits which can create a vermin-like appearance. ]]> 2023-03-26 21:31:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532062134 Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka 5836312 https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532076025 Although Gregor Samson is described as a vermin in Franz Kafka's Metamorphisis, he is not. A vermin is a wild animal that is thought to be detrimental to crops. Samson is everything except that. "He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections," Gregor says at the beginning of the novel (Kafka 1). Despite being labeled as a vermin, his personality and humanity demonstrate otherwise. Samson was only concerned with his family. Even after learning of the change, Gregor chose the happiness of his family over his own. An example of this is when Samson continued to go to work despite his insecurities in order to provide for his family. “And so he began to work with consuming energy and was promoted, almost overnight, from a minor clerk to a traveling salesman with much greater potential to earn money, and his success was soon transformed, by way of commission, into cash that he could then lay on the table before the astonished and delighted family” (Kafka 18).Gregor appears for being motivated not only by a desire for money, but also by the great pleasure he felt in being able to provide for his family.


]]> 2023-03-26 22:02:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532076025 Brianna Martinez https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532109323 The idea that Gregor is "vermin" is illustrated in Metamorphosis by the way his family treats and observes him, as if his humanity has entirely vanished. In addition to being treated like "vermin" by his family, he also views himself in this manner. Gregor makes up justifications or dwells on how miserable his life is all the time. He is debating whether or not to go to work as he lies in bed because he knows his employer will send him to the doctor, and the doctor never believes anyone is too ill to work. (Kafka, 3). Even after taking into account the implication that Gregor would still be expected to show up even if he phoned in sick, he still chooses to stay in bed and come up with justifications further illustrating his likeness to a vermin. ]]> 2023-03-26 23:15:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532109323 Metamorphosis- Roselyn Sierra https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532126153 In Metamorphosis, Gregor isn’t a vermin. In the beginning of the book, it’s described that he is the provider for his family because they cannot work or won’t work. This transformation symbolizes the struggles he went through in his life and the pressure the family put on him to provide for him. He himself implies how he hates his job situation and home life. “And even if he did catch that train he would not avoid his boss’s anger as the office assistant would have been there to see the five o’clock train go…” (Kafka 3) Gregor seemed to just be exhausted and not want the weight of his family on his shoulders anymore. Hence, why he might’ve began his insect transformation and pick up those characteristics of an insect. For example, hiding in dark, confined spaces to get away from the world and responsibilities.]]> 2023-03-26 23:43:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532126153 Metamorphosis (Shane Liesch) https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532134673 Gregor's physical transformation into a vermin represents his emotional and psychological transformation as well. The Freudian approach would suggest that his transformation is a manifestation of his unconscious desires, fears, and conflicts. In this sense, Gregor is not a literal vermin, but a symbol of his inner turmoil. Regarding a neurotic symptom, Gregor's transformation can be interpreted as one. His transformation and subsequent behavior show signs of a neurotic response to his stressful situation. He becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn, reflecting his desire to retreat from the world and hide from his family's expectations. As for the evidence of whether Gregor is a vermin, the text does not present a definitive answer. Some characters refer to him as a vermin or insect, while others see him as a human being. However, the text implies that Gregor is not a vermin in the literal sense, but a symbolic representation of his psychological state. In conclusion, the Freudian approach suggests that Gregor's transformation represents his inner turmoil, and his behavior can be interpreted as a neurotic response to his situation. While the text does not provide a definitive answer whether Gregor is a vermin or not, it implies that his transformation is a symbolic representation of his psychological state.]]> 2023-03-26 23:56:23 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532134673 The Metamorphosis - Valerie Ruiz https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532152893 Despite his physical transformation into a vermin, Gregor is established as a considerate son forced to work for the sake of his family (Kafka 7). As time passed by, Gregor became more and more passive and grew pitiful in his condition as a vermin. He became uncertain and worried about his appearance and emotions circulated by his family as this creature he turned into. When approached with Freud's theory, it can be argued that Gregor's neurotic symptom to turn into vermin was caused by his internal need to be seen differently by his family members. Previous to his transformation, the family relied on Gregor as their sole provider and suppressed/replaced his individual character as a caring person with a systematic provider. In Part I of the novella, Gregor attempted with great physical and mental strength to ignore his change in the same way he would ignore his personal freedom and emotions as a son and brother to work for his family. Additionally, another neurotic symptom portrayed by Gregor would be his developed personality as a vermin. In Part II and III, it becomes increasingly difficult for Gregor to remember or differentiate his mental being as a human or vermin (Kafka 27). After his transformation, his id caused him to act like sporadically like a vermin; his superego to think like a human; his ego to apply his instinct and knowledge as a vermin and human into his action. Regardless of the physical form Gregor took, he was driven by anxiety and pressure from members of his family. In the end, this caused the creature his death and served to symbolize the consequences of oppression.]]> 2023-03-27 00:20:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532152893 Gregor the Vermin-Nichole Hernandez https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532162035 Gregor a man who loves his family and works hard for them to provide to give them all that they need. His family does not give back the appreciation that he desires for. After waking up from a deep dream he realizes he wants to have a life of fulfillment to be free and no longer must work for his unappreciated family. If he does not work to provide, then he to be seen as being lazy. He wants to become an insect where he would be unrecognizable and would not have to worry about taking care of anyone else but himself. He has to live up to the being the man of the house who provides for the family. which at one time was the ideal lifestyle of a family. I think that with so much of him having to pull the weight in his family has broken him emotionally. ]]> 2023-03-27 00:28:30 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532162035 Metamorphosis- Fatima Amezola https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532174005 In the novel "Metamorphosis" , Gregor was a working salesman who provided financial stability to his family. He wakes up transformed into an insect body, "his many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him"(Kafka 1). Although he has the appearance of an insect he is not considered a vermin nor does he consider himself one. It states, "Gregory never responded to being spoken to in that way" as the elderly widow called him an "old dung-beetle''(Kafka 41). He rejects the idea of being considered a bug, because he knows he is still the same person inside. He also tries to talk to his family as he would before and listen to their conversations. His transformation was simply a result of his dream of having no worries or responsibilities. He wished to be like his other colleagues who worked at the office. This selfishness and envy presents his neurotic symptom of his need to work less.]]> 2023-03-27 00:38:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532174005 Metamorphosis - Michael Lucci https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532232212 Analyzing Gregor from a Freudian perspective, it’s possible to argue that Gregor is not literally a vermin and that his metamorphosis is just a representation of his inner state. Freud suggests, “dreams are the ‘royal road’ to the unconscious” (Freud 250), with Kafka’s use of surrealism and symbolism reflecting this notion, it can be argued that Gregor's transformation is nothing more than a reflection of his inner feelings of isolation and powerlessness regarding the oppressive work and family environment that made up his existence. A quote that might back the idea being, “Gregor had never had any practice in speaking clearly, and now he had to explain to his family what he had on his mind, but when he finally spoke slowly, almost whispering, and gazing at the floor, it was really no use. No one understood him, nobody wanted to understand him, his father merely stamped his foot all the harder" (Kafka 26). With regards to Gregor showing signs of neurosis, a large amount of evidence can be found in his expression of guilt and shame over his inability to provide properly despite his hard efforts, one example being his thoughts in bed after his transformation, “what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen! Travelling day in and day out. Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and on top of that there’s the curse of travelling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them. It can all go to Hell!” (Kafka 3) This guilt manifests in physical symptoms, which could be seen as psychosomatic manifestations of his psychological distress.

Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Edited by James Strachey, Capstone, 2012


]]> 2023-03-27 01:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2532232212 Metamorphosis-Lucas Bishop https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2536100720 After looking at Gregor through a Freudian lens I believe that he likely isn't a vermin. At the beginning of the book Gregor spends little to no time analyzing the fact that he supposedly turned into a bug, but instead focuses on how terrible his life is with sentences such as: Oh, God", he thought, "What a strenuous career it is that I've chosen!" (Kafka 1). This lack of worry about his situation and only that of his job leads me to believe that it is all in his mind.]]> 2023-03-29 04:31:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2536100720 Metamorphosis / Trinity McCardle https://padlet.com/sharonrowland/s2wfwvc5xia8nbq/wish/2537169708
  • What role does class play in the work; what is the author's analysis of class relations?

    • Class plays a significant role in "The Metamorphosis," particularly in how Gregor is treated by his family. The family's financial troubles are a constant source of stress, and Gregor is seen as a burden and a hindrance to their ability to maintain their middle-class lifestyle. The father's lazy and unproductive behavior is contrasted with Gregor's diligent work ethic, yet it is Gregor who is punished and ultimately abandoned. Kafka's analysis of class relations seems to suggest that even those who are hardworking and responsible can fall victim to the whims of those in power.


    "Calm - indeed the calmest - reflection might be better than the most confused decisions." (Kafka 12)

    1. How do characters overcome oppression?

    In "The Metamorphosis," the characters do not successfully overcome oppression. Instead, Gregor is ultimately abandoned by his family and left to die alone in his room. The family members themselves are also victims of oppression, as they are forced to work menial jobs and struggle to make ends meet. Kafka seems to suggest that oppression is an overwhelming force that cannot be easily overcome, and that those who are oppressed are often left to suffer alone.


    "Would his family ever understand that he was not capable of going to the office, let alone of travelling there, and that if they insisted on keeping up this pretence it would cause him serious pain and frustration?" (Kafka 24)

    1. In what ways does the work serve as propaganda for the status quo; or does it try to undermine it?

    "The Metamorphosis" does not serve as propaganda for the status quo. Instead, Kafka's work highlights the injustices of the existing social order and the struggles of those who are marginalized by it. The family's unwillingness to care for Gregor and their prioritization of their own financial stability over his well-being illustrate the flaws of a capitalist society that values profit over humanity.


    "Their intentions were clearly to do him some violent harm." (Kafka 46)

    1. What does the work suggest about oppression; or are social conflicts ignored or blamed elsewhere?

    "The Metamorphosis" suggests that oppression is an ever-present force in society that affects individuals on both a personal and systemic level. Kafka does not ignore or blame social conflicts on external factors, but rather shows how they are perpetuated by societal structures and cultural values. The family's treatment of Gregor reflects a larger pattern of neglect and mistreatment of those who are seen as undesirable or unproductive in society.


    "'Oh God,' he thought, 'what a strenuous career it is that I've chosen! Traveling day in and day out.'" (Kafka 13)

    1. Does the work propose some form of utopian vision as a solution to the problems encountered in the work?

    "The Metamorphosis" does not propose a utopian vision as a solution to the problems encountered in the work. Instead, Kafka portrays a bleak and hopeless world in which individuals are powerless to change their circumstances. The story serves as a warning against the dangers of dehumanization and the negative consequences of a society that prioritizes economic gain over human life.


    "It was not until it was getting dark that evening that Gregor awoke from his deep and coma-like sleep." (Kafka 29)


    Citation:


    Kafka, Franz. "The Metamorphosis." The Norton Anthology of World Literature, 3rd ed., vol. F, edited by Martin Puchner et al., W. W. Norton, 2012, pp. 110-46.

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