tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-897228097627164771.post5876612990037423175..comments2024-03-26T01:52:45.563-07:00Comments on Fred's Place: Franz Kafka: July 3, 1883--June 3, 1924Fredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-897228097627164771.post-47246952918677206142010-07-05T06:39:40.323-07:002010-07-05T06:39:40.323-07:00R. T.,
Well, Gregor does wake up transformed and ...R. T.,<br /><br />Well, Gregor does wake up transformed and is now no longer acceptable to human society. He dies alone. I think that might be some justification for seeing him as a victim, perhaps of an uncaring universe or fate. <br /><br />His isolation, as you say, can be an interesting way to get into a discussion about the work.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-897228097627164771.post-47866326106928646832010-07-04T16:10:25.962-07:002010-07-04T16:10:25.962-07:00I don't think I like the "victim" la...I don't think I like the "victim" label, but I will say this about Kafka's novella: I think Kafka was zeroing in on the problem of being different in a society that rewards conformity; Samsa's transformation is merely symbolic of a person's isolation when he or she does not measure up to expectations imposed by family, friends, employers, society, etc. Of course, that is not a profound reading/interpretation, but it serves as an entry point into more complicated discussions of "The Metamorphosis," a tale--by the way--that is always a "hit" in my literature courses, though many students tend to miss the ironies and subtleties as they get hung up on the grotesque elements.R/Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07791522136032565027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-897228097627164771.post-31193390548965723872010-07-03T19:36:16.339-07:002010-07-03T19:36:16.339-07:00mel u,
I agree. Most commentary that I've re...mel u,<br /><br />I agree. Most commentary that I've read focuses on Gregor's change and the significance of that, whatever it may be. I haven't seen much about the family, which is surprising, since as you say, much of the story is about the family and the effects of Gregor's change upon them.<br /><br />I wonder if this is the same problem that came up with Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery." The stoning of Tessie at the end and Gregor's metamorphosis seem to grab the reader so strongly that the rest of the story goes unnoticed by most readers.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-897228097627164771.post-60739778960163791562010-07-03T19:23:03.203-07:002010-07-03T19:23:03.203-07:00I read this great work recently also-I was surpris...I read this great work recently also-I was surprised how much it was about family-your question at the end is a very good one-Mel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.com