The Metamorphosis

Course Information and Logistics

The class is in its final week, with only one session remaining after today. The last paper is due on May 5th, and students are encouraged to begin working on it. The instructor prefers students to inform them about their progress on the paper. There will be no quiz today or any upcoming quizzes.

Reading Recommendation: The Stranger

For those reading The Stranger, it is suggested to read the first chapter, form an opinion about the main character, Russell, and then continue reading to see if that initial opinion changes.

Essay Question: The Metamorphosis

The essay question for the last paper revolves around whether it is necessary for Gregor and Rousseau to be condemned and extirpated from society. Extirpated means to be ripped out or gotten rid of, similar to how Gretta speaks about Gregor. The focus is on the social and political critique of these two protagonists rather than literary analysis.

Initial Discussion: The Metamorphosis

The first part of the session will be dedicated to discussing the story, its main actions, and the author's intended message. The second part, after a break, will involve a more detailed analysis, deconstructing the underlying themes, symbols, and images.

Translation of The Metamorphosis

The instructor recommends the Stanley Corngold translation but cannot confirm if the bookstore provided this specific version. The original text was written in German, and the Corngold translation uses specific terminology that shapes the meaning of the story.

Initial Impressions of Gregor's Transformation

Some readers initially perceive Gregor's transformation as turning into an ant or an insect. One interpretation involves comparing Gregor's metamorphosis with transformation in the family's behavior, particularly their changed attitude after he could no longer provide for them.

Metaphor for Disabled People

The story can be seen as a metaphor for disabled individuals, illustrating the communication breakdown and disconnection that can occur when someone experiences a sudden and unexpected change in their abilities. The inability to communicate in typical human patterns leads to being seen as different or even inhuman.

Dehumanization and Alienation

Gregor's internal monologue reveals that he never ceases to be Gregor, but the way others perceive him changes. The family's willingness to remove furniture from his room symbolizes their dehumanization of him. Despite his physical changes, the fundamental question is whether he ever stops being Gregor.

Disruption of Human Acceptance

The physical changes in Gregor can be interpreted as symbolic of various struggles, such as drug addiction, disfigurement, or disease. These changes disrupt the normal patterns of human acceptance and recognition.

The Significance of "Vermin"

The original German term for Gregor's transformed state is "Ungeziefer," which translates to "vermin." This term carries racial and ethnic undertones, particularly in the context of rising nationalism in Germany. It implies being outside the norm and outside of human connection.

Gregor's Work and Family

Gregor supports his family, providing them with an apartment, a maid, and a comfortable life. He has never been late or called out sick in his five to six years of working. However, when he oversleeps and misses his train, his manager arrives at his home, and his family grows concerned.

Family Dynamics and Hostility

The mother cares for Gregor and tries to defend him, while the father is initially hostile. Over time, the father's hostility intensifies, but the mother continues to refer to Gregor as her son and tries to protect him. The artifacts in his room, reminders of his humanity, become a focal point of conflict.

The Opening of the Door

The moment the door opens and Gregor is seen, everything changes. The manager's reaction is one of hostility and a sense of empowerment. This raises questions about identity and what truly changes when someone is perceived differently.

The Father's Transformation

The father regains power as Gregor becomes weaker, which may be interpreted as a family dynamic or a fulfillment of radical needs. The father, who may have harbored resentment toward Gregor for providing financial stability, now experiences a shift in power.

The Sister's Role

Gregor's younger sister, Greta, initially holds onto the hope for Gregor's humanity, continuing to see him as her brother. However, there is a distinct moment when this changes, and she no longer sees him as Gregor.

Violence and Normalization

As the story progresses, violence escalates within the family, and the familiar bonds break down. This family dynamic can be seen as a microcosm for society, where violence becomes normalized and is seen as a solution to problems.

Prague and the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Prague, where Kafka lived, was a crossroads in Middle Europa and part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This multinational empire differed from the rising nationalism in the rest of Europe. Hitler, for example, refused to be part of a multinational state and culture.

Maintaining Social Peace

As long as Gregor continues to fulfill his function and bury his suffering quietly, social peace is maintained. However, once he ceases to fulfill his particular function, a crisis emerges, demanding resolution.

Societal Expectations and Valuation

From the family's perspective, how will they continue being themselves if Gregor can no longer provide for them? Gregor's crisis becomes their crisis, demanding a resolution. If Gregor is no longer economically viable or useful, he is seen as a useless member of society.

The Sister's Maturation

As Greta grows, she transitions from speaking to Gregor to speaking for Gregor, and finally to speaking about Gregor. This parallels her maturation process and her changing perception of Gregor.

The Absurd and Relatable

Although the story is absurd, it is relatable because it connects to the reality that one may wake up unable or disabled from relating to others. People may react with fear and disassociate themselves from those who are different.

Conditioning

If everything one thought was real turns out to be not, they are struck by being absurd. However, the stories we tell always cover the covered the real reality until absurd conditioning is imposed on people and things.

The Sister's Expectations

The sister wants a certain kind of love from Gregor, and when those expectations are not met, she feels empowered to get rid of him, calling him names and distancing herself. This raises questions about whether society is driven by similar desires.

Reasons for Not Changing Jobs

The question arises as to why Gregor doesn't simply get another job if he hates his current one. In modern society, many people do not like their jobs but feel trapped due to expectations and the pattern of reproduction.

Inner Turmoil and Societal Expectations

Gregor is caught up in a pattern of fulfilling expectations. He feels compelled to be the person who gets up for the 5:00 train, so in order to distract from this turmoil, there's intoxication and living vicariously through entertainment or hating on somebody else.

Dangerous to be Unnecessary?

It is dangerous to make yourself unnecessary to them because of the possibility of being seen as a weight dragging them down. It is okay to fail.

The Beauty of Literature

Literature shows how multifaceted relationships and phenomena are. There isn't simply one way to read it, or one hierarchy or past system.

Family Resentment

With regards to the father, there is resentment because he is older, but Gregor, the son, is in charge in bourgeois society.

The Key Question

How much does a person have to physically change for you not to recognize their humanity? Not much is needed, like drugs; a change in narrative is enough.

Is Violence Necessary?

Is it not more enlightened to understand everyone? It is so much easier to judge because not understanding someone is much more human.

What Humans Are Geared Towards Doing

Constructing narratives and judging others based on those narratives. We need villains, people that are different.

Degenerative relationships

People have disgust, and revel in that disgust, especially the father and the father's manager. There is a degradation of relationships and this may reflect gender issues.

Importance of Relationships

He has no lasting relationships and has no intimate relationships. There are no eyes to see how he is. How can he get the law to see, and can the law see?

Gregor's Condemnation

Is it necessary for Gregor Lursault to be condemned and extricated? IIt is, to warn others. Is violence necessary? And enlightened way to resolve problems is so much easier.