Sorry for starting the thread a wee bit late.
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July 2014: Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis
- Thread starter Polly Parrot
- Start date
Conscious Bob
Well-Known Member
Goody.
Conscious Bob
Well-Known Member
Downloaded for a quid, not bad.
Conscious Bob
Well-Known Member
Gregor our main character wakes up a 'giant verminous bug' which is clearly impossible yet Gregor's reaction is entirely natural, he doesn't believe it's happened to him either.
Conscious Bob
Well-Known Member
Well it's a pity no one else wanted to get into a discussion but at least it's a book I wanted to read.
Metamorphosis is a very subtle story, there is no explanation as to why Gregor is transformed, the transformation is merely a vehicle to his current condition. He goes from being the main breadwinner for his family to a monstrous inconvenience. The trick is he's still a human being inside but can't communicate. He goes from being pitied to being reviled and when he dies not only are his family relieved but they find that the adjustments they've made to better cope with the situation have far improved their prospects after Gregor's demise.
I wonder if the story is a metaphor for the dispensability of people and resilience. Fate is cruel to Gregor, his transformation to a 'verminous bug' makes his story a fantasy story, would it have had the same feeling if he had suffered a massive stroke or debilitating injury? perhaps that's the point.
Metamorphosis is a very subtle story, there is no explanation as to why Gregor is transformed, the transformation is merely a vehicle to his current condition. He goes from being the main breadwinner for his family to a monstrous inconvenience. The trick is he's still a human being inside but can't communicate. He goes from being pitied to being reviled and when he dies not only are his family relieved but they find that the adjustments they've made to better cope with the situation have far improved their prospects after Gregor's demise.
I wonder if the story is a metaphor for the dispensability of people and resilience. Fate is cruel to Gregor, his transformation to a 'verminous bug' makes his story a fantasy story, would it have had the same feeling if he had suffered a massive stroke or debilitating injury? perhaps that's the point.
James Brennan Hawaii
New Member
It could well be the point of this fascinating tale; it is true it appeals on so many levels.
James Brennan Hawaii
Conscious Bob
Well-Known Member
I think about that story still so I'll need to read a bit more Kafka.