E2: The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis

Part I

• Why is Gregor so unhappy with his life? Support and explain.
• What are the signals and signs of Gregor’s transformation? Support and explain.
• What has he been turned into? Why doe you think he has been transformed? Support and explain.
• Why does Gregor keep doing a job he clearly hates? Do his reasons make sense? Support and explain.
• How does Gregor finally get out of bed? Why does he bother? Support and explain.
• What does it say about Gregor’s importance, and how he is seen, that the Chief Clerk comes to check on him? Support and explain.
• Why is Gregor’s sister crying? What does Gregor think she’s worried about? What does it explain about the whole situation?
• What do you think the Chief Clerk and the parents hear when Gregor speaks? Support and explain.
• Why does everyone freak out when they finally see Gregor? Support and explain.
• Summary: Gregor wakes up as a bug rather than a man and he has to figure out how to communicated and try to do his job, but his transformation freaks out his parents, his sister, and one of his bosses. The message is two-fold: sometimes we become the person we think we are and some circumstances are far beyond our control.

Part II

• What good changes does Gregor find come with his transformation? Support and explain.
• What bad changes have come with Gregor’s transformation? Support and explain.
• How does the transformation change Gregor’s feelings, beliefs, and actions? Support and explain.
• How does Gregor’s sister try to help him? Is this difficult for her? Support and explain.
• Why does Gregor lose the thanks and affection of his family when he becomes the main worker and money-earner? Why does he so readily share his money with his whole family? Support and explain.
• Why did his father keep some of the money aside and let Gregor pay for everything? Support and explain.
• How does losing his furniture affect Gregor? Why would furniture he can’t use be a big deal? Support and explain.
• Based on his reaction to Grete’s “Gregor got out,” what did their father want to do with Gregor? Support and explain.
• Why did Gregor’s father attack him? Support and explain.

Part III

• Why does the new cleaning lady seem interested in Gregor? Support and explain.
• Why do Gregor’s parents open up their home to strangers? Support and explain.
• Why does Gregor’s family stop taking care of him? What do they blame him for? Support and explain.
• Do Gregor’s parents deserve the treatment they get from the men who pay to stay in their home? Support and explain.
• Why does Grete turn on Gregor? Support and explain.
• Does anyone in the story deserve to be punished? Support and explain.