The Metamorphosis Chapter 2

What buggy body part is Gregor learning to appreciate?

his antennae

Who is bringing food to Gregor?

his sister/Grete

What food is first brought?

Fresh milk with bread floating

How did Gregor know about the family's daily habits?

Through letters from Grete

How does Gregor know what is going on in the apartment now?

He looks through the crack in the door

How did his father used to like to spend time during the day?

reading the newspaper aloud

How does Gregor's room make him feel?

nervous

What kind of food does Gregor realize he likes?

old cheese, rotten vegetables, congealed sauce

Where does Gregor hide when Grete enters his room?

under the couch

How many family members were always at home at any time?

two

What does Gregor learn about the family's financial situation? Did his father lose everything?

There was still some money saved that increased with interest

What was Gregor's sole concern as he earned money?

to make the family forget the father's business disaster

How did the family react the first few times Gregor presented them with his earnings

astonished delight

As time passed, how did the family react?

The money was received with thanks, but no longer any feeling of warmth, they had gotten used to it

What was Gregor's secret plan for Grete?

To send her to the Conservatory

If Gregor had known of his father's saved money, what could he have done?

Quit his job sooner

Is Gregor angry to learn of his father's subterfuge?

No, he thinks his father has arranged things better now

How has Gregor's father changed now that he does not work?

He has gained weight, had become sluggish

What was Grete's life like prior to Gregor's metamophosis?

Wearing pretty clothes, sleeping late, playing the violin

How old is Grete?

seventeen

What is happening to Gregor's eyesight?

he sees things less and less distinctly

What does Grete describe to her parents each day?

what Gregor ate, how he behaved, how he looked

How does Gregor feel as he hangs from the ceiling?

a happy absent-mindedness

What does Gregor like to do in his room?

Look out the window, crawl on the walls and ceiling

What do Grete and the mother decide to change in Gregor's room?

remove the furniture

How long has Gregor been a monstrous vermin?

two months

What is Gregor on the verge of forgetting (and for which the furniture is a symbol)?

his human past

How does Gregor try to hide his appearance?

He pulls a sheet over himself

What item in his room does Gregor hope to retain?

The picture of the woman in the fur

How does he make sure the women won't take it away?

He presses himself against the glass

What is the significance of the sister crying out, "you, Gregor!"

it's the first words addressed directly to him since his metamorphosis

What does Gregor find impossible to tolerate?

The disruption and noise of the women coming and going, moving furniture

Where does the mother see Gregor?

clinging to the wall

What is the mother's reaction to the sight of Gregor on the wall?

she faints

Grete runs to the other roomto get something to revive her mother, what does Gregor do?

he follows her out of his room

How does Grete react when she sees Gregor behind her?

She drops the bottle, the glass cuts Gregor's face,

Gregor is stuck the other room, what does he do?

He crawls all over the walls, furniture and ceiling, gets dizzy and falls onto the middle of the table

Who comes home from work?

Gregor's father

How is the father dressed, how does he carry himself?

He is wearing a tight-fitting bank messenger's uniform, with gold buttons, he is holding himself very erect

What does the father do when he sees Gregor in the room?

He throws apples at him

What does Grete answer when the father asks what happened?

Gregor's broken out, mother has fainted

What does Gregor feel when one apple lodges in his back

unbelievable pain

Why does the father stop throwing apples?

The mother begs for Gregor's life