Dear AP students:
Let's look at The Metamorphosis in a couple ways.
First, let me introduce the literary concept of Magical Realism. One definition of Magical Realism is literature in which fantasy is combined with realism in such a way as to have the magical elements of the story presented in a straightforward manner. In other words, the narrator does not try to explain the origins or background of magical elements--they just are. (There are no sorcerers or magic potions that the magic can be attributed to (if so, that would make a the story fit into the fantasy genre.)
We see characteristics of Magical Realism in Kafka's famous but very non-chalant opening line in which he states..."When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin." The character doesn't spend any more time trying to figure out how this happened. He just proceeds with the story. Thus, the magical part of the story--the metamorphosis into a bug--is effortlessly combined with the rest of the story--his relationship with his family and his thoughts about his job. The author doesn't spend the rest of the story explaining how the character turned into a bug--he just is for the purposes of the story.
Those of you who have been in AP Spanish Literature are probably very familiar with Magical Realism since many Latin American writers have used this genre to express their thoughts. If so, please provide some insight on the blog comments about/examples of Magical Realism so everyone can better understand it.
Another way of looking at this story is to see it as an Extended Metaphor. Seen from this perspective, the reader can interpret Samsa's metamorphosis as merely psychological. He hasn't really turned into a bug, he just feels that way--like a giant parasite. Instead of being a real bug, perhaps Samsa just becomes a "slacker dude"--someone who hides out in his bedroom, unwilling to go to his job or do anything else expected of a responsible adult, even if his family is depending on him. He's given up on societal demands because he feels alienated. Maybe you know people like this--unwilling to take on responsibility like work or school, merely hanging out in their bedroom, playing video games or texting all day/night long. Could it be that this is the way some of you are spending your vacation time? Like teen parasites?
Or maybe he is like a sick person, bedridden, unable to take on societal demands. He becomes parasitic, like a bug, in this sense, because he is unable to do anything for himself, and must depend on his parents/sister who are obligated to help him, and eventually feel resentful towards him, just like some family caretakers eventually resent their patients.
What do you think? How did you interpret the story? More Magical Realism or more Extended Metaphor?
Gregor’s transformation into an insect can better be interpreted as both an example of extended metaphor and magical realism. As I have read in the background of his novella, Kafka felt belittled by his father, who looked down upon him often. Kafka felt like an insect compared to his father who constantly expected more from him and rarely praised his efforts. In The Metamorphosis, the protagonist actually wakes up as an insect. Kafka describes his transformation with such vivid imagery and descriptive diction that the concept of magical realism is developed throughout the novella. For example, in the first chapter as Gregor struggles to open the door Kafka describes his “little legs exuding a little sticky substance.” This is an action that is strongly related to insects and makes the coarse of actions entirely realistic to the reader. The author also takes the time to point minor details of Gregor’s physical appearance claiming that he “had no real teeth” and “brown liquid came out from his mouth.” The concept of magical realism makes the reader strongly believe that they have entered the mind of a man transformed into an insect. Transforming into an insect is a concept that is otherwise thought of as absurd, bizarre, and even impossible to most readers. In addition to the magical realism that Kafka uses, he also creates an extended metaphor with Gregor’s transformation. When Gregor becomes an insect most of his family and the rest of society want to stay aware from his presence. Since Gregor is experiencing this alienation he has time to think for himself. Gregor’s transformation allows him to have a break from working all of the time due to his family’s unstable economic situation. As an insect Gregor discovers that there is more to life than just working for income. Gregor finds out that he likes music, art, and other things besides holding together a typical traveling salesman lifestyle. Gregor’s transformation as an insect also serves as an extended metaphor for Gregor’s transformation into an individual. Gregor now knows that he is capable of liking more things, doing more in life, and learns more about himself throughout his transformation.
ReplyDeleteJema Celeste
As I read this novel, I took on more of the viewpoint of Magical Realism. Although I was curious to what the causes were for Gregor's sudden transformation, I think the lack of explanation helped in communicating an important message in the story- that the causes of misfortune is often seen as insignificant to society. Kafka seems to be telling the readers that it is more significant that individuals learn how to cope with misfortune and continue to live their lives as normally as possible. Even when the manager enters Gregor's house, he is not concerned about the reasons for Gregor's bad punctuality. The manager does not care; he only cares that the job gets done. He expects Gregor to find a way to deal with any sickness or any misfortune, so that Gregor's responsibilities are carried out.
ReplyDeleteYet the absense an explanation of Gregor's metamorphosis also led me to think that Gregor was a symbol. Gregor was tolerated, but resented creature. He was completely taken care of by his family, and cut off from the rest of society. He seemed to be what his family once was to him. Before his transformation, he was the only income for his family. His father sat in his chair and rested most of the day, and his mother and sister did very little as well. They all seemed to spend little time with other activities outside of the house. It's because of his family that Gregor had to work so hard. The tables turned, however, once he changed into a bug. In the end Gregor died because of his family's resentment, and his isolation from society. So Gregor seems to symbolize the demise of those who arent driven; who arent helpful to society and those around them; who live their life idle. Kafka is telling the audience that if a person is constantly being taken care of, they will will suffer from their own self loathing, or other's loathing. That they could end up like Gregor, or as Gregor's family could have been if the transformation had not occurred.
Reading to further extent, this book can be interpreted in a Magic Realism perspective for the reason that Kafka is bereft of the metamorphosis explanaition. Initially, Gregor Samsa is quite indifferent and apathetic toward his state of being, that is turned into a vermin and absurdly focuses on the fact that he will be late to work. This incorporation of absurdity helps emphazise the concept of Magic Realism; by focusing on the things that are nugatory compared to the fact that he was transformed into a vermin (the little legs depicted by Kafka), Kafka is able to show how he is not putting attention to the fact to the metaphysical occurance, he will however, focus on the effects that the metamorphosis has on Gregor, his familly, and the future of their relationship. Instead of thinking of how did he ended up transformed into a vermin, Samsa instead focuses on what to do to get to his work and what he wil say for justification of being late to work.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand it, "Metamorphosis" could also be seen in the Extended Metaphor perspective. His abhorred body shape could be a representation of his self-resentment and self-hatred for his state of being, for the fact that he can not do anything to help his family mitigate thier economic problems. For example "Gregor's back began to hurt anew" when his mother and sister were beginning to talk about their economic hardships.
While reading this novella, I believe this is just pure Magic Realism. I tried to read the book in the viewpoint of an extended metaphor, but my mind keeps bringing me back to the magical realism you described in your post. While Gregor's constant griping about how his sister is childish, no one goes to see him in his room and the fact that his family relied on him to provide for the family could lead him into a self-pitying or alienated state, I don't think this is the purpose of the book. I simply think it is a short story that leaves you thinking just as any other short stories do. They don't seem to make much sense and they leave you wondering why it was even written in the first place. I am about halfway through the novella, so perhaps my opinion will change, but so far I am not a huge fan of the story or of Gregor. Even though I do not love this novella, I am still able to stay interested through my curiosity of there being a real solution or if this will just end with Gregor still in his insect-state. I think Kafka just wrote the story just to write, not to prove any hugely important point. Or maybe he does, I just haven't gotten there yet.
ReplyDeleteEva Zaremba ^^^
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI believe the novel is based on Magical Realism purely because the unexplained idea of Gregor turning into a bug is so straight forwards. The evidence that shows he is in fact a bug, and not a metaphorical reference to a psychological state of mind, is shown multiple times throughout the novella as it mentions the sufferings of his body, which include the deterioration of his "little legs", the flow of his "bodily" juices, "bleeding", and his physical pains he feels from the incidences from his interactions with his family. The whole idea of him being a bug is becomes more pronounced in being the literal reality in the book by the characters' awareness of his condition. They are described to be fully aware of his current appearance, especially when his sister is repulsed by him being insect like. If it was a metaphor to a psychological state of mind, looks would not matter the word "it" to reference Gregor as a bug would not be present. Plenty of description on the state of his body causes it to make the reader believe that Gregor is really a bug and ignorantly trapped by his family who resents him for what he has become, which is an insect. On a final note, it is more magical realism because, from the beginning, it causes the reader to question how in the world did Gregor become a bug, leaving its explanations to be speculated upon by the reader. The story molds around the incredulity of Gregor being an actual insect.
ReplyDeleteI interpreted “The Metamorphosis,” as a novella with more magical realism than as being an extended metaphor. The novella at once describes how Gregor felt in his new insect-like physique: his back was “as hard as armor plate,” he had a “vaulted brown belly,” and had “many legs.” These characteristics are very similar to what someone would use to describe a bug. Furthermore, from what is known to civilization, bugs do not speak the human language but rather make different sounds, as shown in chapter one when Gregor struggles to pronounce human words and realizes he has “no real teeth.” When Gregor finally opens his door, he scares the manager away, terrifies his own mother, and his father forces him back inside his room. One can imagine having a similar reaction if we were to encounter a gigantic bug approaching us. In addition, Gregor had also been trying to stand erect like a normal human being but as he fell down “he had a feeling of physical well-being” and realized “his little legs…obeyed him.” The literary concept of magical realism is further shown throughout this novella since chapter two also makes it clear that Gregor has an antennae and “two rows of legs,” which is very common in bugs. Moreover, in the third chapter, the cleaning woman addresses Gregor as an “old dung beetle,” which further supports the idea that Gregor is an insect-like organism. His sister, Grete, also makes it apparent that Gregor is not human-like since she declares that the family’s real misfortune was believing that “such a creature” was actually Gregor. After Gregor passed away, he was described as “completely flat and dry,” which is typical of a lifeless bug. Therefore, these phrases in the “The Metamorphosis,” are not only normally used to describe different types of insects, but also form graphic pictures of an insect-like creature in the reader’s mind. Thus, these detailed phrases support the reason why I interpreted this novella as having more magical realism than as being an extended metaphor.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, magical realism presents magical features in a direct manner. This is shown in the beginning of chapter one as Gregor is aware of his transformation but instead of trying to figure out how it took place, he simply is more worried about getting to work on time. Likewise, his family does not question how the metamorphosis occurred, but instead focus on their financial situation, and endure Gregor’s new appearance and behavior. Conversely, “The Metamorphosis” can also be interpreted as an extended metaphor; however, it does not make sense that Gregor is transformed psychologically as a man who is unwilling to go to work when the novella itself reveals that he is planning out how and at what time he will catch the train to get to work. Consequently, it made more sense to me to interpret Gregor’s metamorphosis as magical realism.
I believe that “The Metamorphosis” deals with both with Magic Realism and an Extended Metaphor. Although, I might suggest there is more of magic realism throughout the story, jut with a deeper meaning through the supernatural. The transformation of Gregor Samsa was because of his psychological state – his state of alienation. Gregor reflects on his life, not really losing focus of who he is, just getting familiarized to his new vessel. He doesn’t even think of anything that could have caused his transformation, it just happened. Magical Realism deals with things, events, or people, just being magical, or from another world. There is a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez called “Un Señor muy Viejo con unas alas Enormes” where an old man just lands at the back of a house where a little boy was in danger of dying of an illness. He was hurt, and wouldn’t talk to anyone, he even wanted to escape as he was seen, but he couldn’t move. The old man with huge wings, sort of like an angel’s, did not seek refuge, but was given it after his arrival when the little boy recovered. Many of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s stories deal with surreal events, magic, revenge, and romance – very prominent themes in Hispanic literature.
ReplyDeleteFor the extended metaphor, you could say that the transformation was only psychological, and Gregor was the one feelings like the vermin, but, if we could surely trust Franz Kafka, we are given evidence that Gregor is indeed an insect – there isn’t a reason to doubt, although much of the novel is at an “predict and guess” basis. Gregor’s transformation, as I sometimes saw it, was due to his fear of not being able to provide for his family, the exhaustion of being the only one at home strong enough to take care of another, or being judged by his father (as I presume, a man he sees with great value and vigor – someone that can make him feel terror, and disillusionment) – maybe that was the cause of the end of his “human” life.
In Kafka’s Metamorphosis, there is also this sense of morality with religion that I saw – the three bearded men like the three wise men, the apples being thrown at Gregor can signify sin of the family, especially the father – it is like a significant metaphor to the life of Gregor – a man who lost his self, and his physical spirit due to his soul. A way, I sense, to be it.
I believe that "The Metamorphosis" is more like a story of magical realism, but it does have a deeper meaning like an extended metaphor would. The only thing that prevents the story from becoming a metaphor would be the fact that the imagery is so real. The way that Gregor is described throughout the story is so realistic, forcing disgusting details of bugs into the reader's mind. The story is also begins, from the very first sentence, with this "magical" transformation; there is no explanation at all and I don't remember even one of the characters questioning the metamorphosis of poor Gregor. It does hold a deeper meaning, however, and that meaning alludes to Gregor's alienation. So unless the reader is supposed to ignore the repulsive imagery so evident in the story or blame Kafka's supposed different personality for such a detailed description, the novella fits more into the genre of magical realism.
ReplyDelete-Vernice Rodil
There is an interesting debate as to the true nature of Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Should it be taken literally, as a piece of Magical Realism, or as an extended metaphor? The best interpretation of this is that this story is actually occurring physically and not just in the character's mind, but his literal transformation can still have metaphorical implications. As mentioned in the previous entries, the main purpose of using a very non-chalant opening of having Gregor transform into a bug emphasis the them of absurdity. It is for this reason that we should take Kafka's story at face value, in which that a fantastical element is introduced into a mundane situation in order to set forth a sequence of extreme, yet revealing events. However, Samsa's transformation can also have very metaphorical implications. His metamorphosis into the bbug can be seen as a physical transformation mirroring that of what has already occured in his mind. His mindless work for the family echoes that of drones, working for the hive with no sense of self or meaning. In addition, it could emphasize the extent of mercy and pity that humans have. Up to what extent would a family character care for another? Kafka in this novella shows that even the most devoted of family members can turn on their relatives once they become a burden on the family.
ReplyDelete- Kyle Doria
Personally I think Kafka wrote this novella as an Extended Metaphor AND a Magical Realism. By having a hard working lonely guy who doesnt usually spend much time in the companionship of others transform into a human sized bug and immediately be rejected by all of society is not just coincidental. His transformation symbolizes the embodiment of his isolation by bringing it into a physical state instead of keeping it as a mental state for the reader. Though of course then comes into play the Magical Realism aspect in the novella. Of course people cannot change into bugs or anything else for that matter. Our feelings can not actually be wrapped up and make us become an actual definition for that feeling. Kafka does not provide us with an explanation about why Gregor has become a bug. There is no build up to it. The story just opens to him waking up as a bug which is a characteristic of Magical Realism.But if I had to choose one I think that personally I did interpret the story magically because when I was reading it I really did imagine Gregor waking up as an actual bug and not just himself feeling like one.
ReplyDeleteSol Narvaez Cowardin Period:1
The Metamorphosis can be interpreted as both magical realism and an extended metaphor. With the magical realism, Gregor actually becoming a giant bug without any explanation strengthens the ideas of absurdity that Kafka uses to point out humanities growing need for material wealth and desire to work. Without that magical realism, if the story was merely looked at as an extended metaphor, the elements of absurdity would be lost. Yet, one needs to look at the novella as also being an extended metaphor in order to get Kafka's entire message. With Gregor as a metaphorical bug, a so-called "leech" on his family's well being, Kafka establishes the inefficiency of those who isolate themselves from society or the uselessness of those who are physically incapable of doing work and must be taken care of. Gregor's presence in the family's apartment takes a toil on his family, because not only is he incapable of working and thus providing for the family, but he also takes up space in the apartment and energy from his caretaker - his sister. Furthermore, Gregor's physical state can be seen merely as a metaphor for his actual state of mind. As Gregor's mother describes his life, one becomes aware that Gregor's biggest concern was his job, and he never went out for fun. His time at home was spent studying for his next trip. Gregor rarely interacted with his parents; his biggest familial interaction was with his sister, Grete. Gregor's transformation into a bug does not alter his way of thinking; his transformation becomes a physical showing of his inner thoughts. Gregor's familial interaction remain quite similar to what they were before his transformation; his sister is the only one to care for him, and for a while, she is the only one who sees him. Thus, Gregor's new body is only a metaphor for what Gregor has become during his five years as a salesman - a hermit.
ReplyDeleteAlana Bock, period 1
As Alana said before me, I completely agree that the physical transformation of Gregor is a mere reflection of his inner state of mind. Getting back to that point in a minute, without the magical realism that Kafka creates through Gregor's transformation, the novella would be dull and lack any sort of absurdity. It would be merely an extended metaphor but with the magical realism Kafka is able to develop the absurdity in transformation and the absurdity of coping with such a transformation in the way Gregor does. I believe that Gregor adapts a parasitic persona because he is unable to fend for himself or his family and is completely dependent on his family more importantly his sister, Crete, who is already shown as somewhat unstable at the beginning of the novella as she is crying when the head clerk is demanding Gregor open the door. But getting back to Alana's point, Gregor was already consumed within his job and completely isolated himself from his family even without the transformation. He lack of interaction with society and family is then transformed into a metaphor within his physical transformation into a large insect. Being a large insect creates a sense of physical isolation among Gregor, but this is just a reflection of his already isolated physiological state even before the transformation.
ReplyDelete-Alec Vicedo, Period 2
Although both sides could be argued I believe that magical realism is at play here. Magical realism is represented throughout the novella through imagery, description, and absurdity. Although like an extended metaphor the magical realism has a deeper meaning. By Gregors transformation he becomes a parasite on society, like many lazy and sick people would be in reality. Also the transformation is never explained or even really questioned; his parents fear him and are disgusted but neither they nor his sister never ask the question why? And lastly never those Kafka discuss how any one feels about the transformation, it is not mentioned without a purpose, like his mother’s reaction at seeing him.
ReplyDelete^^^ysabella Cervantes per.2 ^^^
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Magical Realism. His family is repulsed by his occasional appearance. He is injured by his father by apples and a cane. What is the sticky substance that Samsa (the human) is leaving everywhere? Why do the three gentlemen who are renting a room scold the Samsa family for harboring such a vile creature? Why does it take him such an effort to turn a key or walk across the room? Why don't they question his transformation? They just accept it, as there were no magical powers at play, just reality.
ReplyDeleteI think the novella can definitely be interpreted as magical realism. As Mr. Rodriguez pointed out, the opening sentence throws the reader into the story with no explanation what so ever and continues without ever providing and information of how Gregor became a bug over night. This contributes to the absurdity of the story. As Melissa said, there are hints of alienationa and lonliness throughout the story as Gregor is forced to live with a family who is frankly disgusted by him, yet never provides a deeper explanation into Gregor's sense of lonliness. Like the way Gregor accepts his new form, the reader is expected to accept the absurd fact that Gregor out of no where turned into a hideous insect.
ReplyDeleteAlso, after the opener, we see that Gregor gets over the fact that he has turned into an insect pretty quickly and instead starts to worry about his job primarily, a prettty light reaction to suddenly becoming an insect. I don't think this is an extended metaphor as like Eva said, my mind keeps bringing me back to wondering why, and how on Earth Gregor has become a bug. The story does not touch on his emotional aspect of his transformation much at all.
Kelly Clemmons
I think this novella is more of a reflection of Magical Realism, rather than an extended metaphor. There is no explanation of how Gregor became a bug- this impossible transformation is simply presented as an accepted truth and something altogether possible in the world that Gregor lives in. Gregor's family does not react completely shocked at his metamorphosis or even confused at this impractical occurrence, but rather disgusted. It lends to the idea of absurdity in the story and helps convey that Gregor's family expects absurdity in the world. While I do see that there are some aspects of this story could be interpreted as an extended metaphor, such as his isolated behavior, other parts such as his crawling on the walls and ceilings seem to fit more with Magical Realism. Either way, the novella still conveys a message about alienation and absurdity. In addition, I agree with Dana that the story does not seem to put much of an emphasis on the reasons for Gregor's isolation or seem to care about addressing the issues that caused it. The story focuses more on learning to live with the curve balls life throws at you than getting to the root of your problems, which is probably one factor leading to Gregor's demise. He never addressed his loneliness, yet simply went along day to day with resentment building until he eventually succumbed to these problems. The fact that the reasons for his condition aren't significantly touched on makes this more Magical Realism with the events being presented in a straight forward manner with little explanation.- Melissa Stencil Per. 2
ReplyDeleteI believe that this novella could be seen as a example of Magical Realism because Gregor accepts the ideas that he suddenly changed into a bug and doesn't look for an explanation as to why a bug and Kafka doesn't either explain why a bug. it is accepted that he has changed without a voice of why; Gregor doesn't ask for a reason but goes about his day. This novella is a very good example of absurdity and alienation because due to things that happen in life. I agree with Melissa because it doesn't show him trying to change what happened, but accepting the way things had turned out no matter how negative they may be. It touches on magical realism because if it was a metaphor then it would be explained through out the story itself.
ReplyDeleteThe Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka can be interpreted in two different ways. One of them is through Kafka’s use of Magical Realism, in which he introduces and emphasizes the absurdity that occurs in the story since the very beginning, when Gregor Samsa transforms into a giant bug. Magical Realism is a literary concept that functions to blend reality with elements of fantasy. One of the most famous authors associated with Magic Realism is Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Colombian author. He has published many different works in which heutilizes Magical Realism, such as the novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (in Spanish it is called “Cien años de soledad”) and in many short stories like, "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" (“Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes”). In this short story, an old man with huge wings on his back, resembling an angel, lands in the courtyard of a house. The owners of the house at first are perplexed at the sight of the man, in short time the whole village becomes aware of this event and they flood the courtyard to look at him. The owners try to communicate with the old man, but cannot understand his language. They place him inside a cage they had for their chickens, treat him poorly, and decide to charge the entry of the village people who want to see him. They invite a priest to find out if the old man was a real angel. After trying to communicate with him and looking at him closely, the priest concludes that he is not an angel. The people who come to see the old man mistreat him and make fun of his appearance. After a few days, a fair arrived in the same village, and many of the people who came to see the old man left to attend the fair which had a better attraction, a woman who had turned into a spider for disobeying her parents. The owners of the house in which the angel had fallen, did not lament that the people left for the fair and no longer came to see the old man because they accumulated so much wealth that they were able to build a mansion. They no longer cared about the angel, and his health started to decline. However, his wing started to grow again on his back and he became healthy. He started attempting to fly, and in the end he flies away from the house. In this short story, the concept of Magic Realism can be seen through the characters and their outrageous and fantastical characteristics. The old man who has wings on his back and the woman who turns into a spider are similar to the character of Gregor Samsa because they undergo changes that are not realistic but treat these changes as if they were ordinary, instead of worrying about them. Moreover, Kafka’s novella can be also understood as an extended metaphor. Gregor’s transformation into a bug can be interpreted as the internal feelings and thoughts that this character was undergoing before he became a bug. His constant thoughts of his family being dependent on him and his failure to help them can be portrayed through his metamorphosis.
ReplyDelete-Dante Alvarado Leon
This is a really interesting question because I can understand why someone would say both magical realism and an extended metaphor. Personally, I would lean more towards magical realism because of how the author really goes into detail about Gregor's physical appearance from the start of the novel. Gregor's transformation is not explained and left for the reader to figure out. furthermore, the author shows how his family starts to resent him because of his appearance. That is some evidence as to why someone would think of it as magical realism. On the other hand, I also understand why someone might think extended metaphor. The author does goes into detail about Gregor's transformation and how he experiences different pains such as, bleeding, his bodily juices and his little legs. These symptoms can also be a metaphor to a real sickness. Gregor could have some disease and have some sort of bodily fluid or pains in different areas of his body. So this is a tough one to pick a side on because I can understand both sides. However, If I had to pick one side I would say magical realism because theres more evidence for it and it makes more sense.
ReplyDelete-Brittany Moses
For the most part, Metamorphosis fits under the category of Magical Realism. The book introduces Gregor's transformation as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. It doesn’t explain why it happened, it just did. The characters also make no attempt to understand this event; they just go on with life and try to tolerate it. This shows that magic is a natural part of this world, and thus the story is considered magical realism.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you could also say that Metamorphosis is an extended metaphor. Gregor turns into an insect because he feels like an insect. He is apart from humanity; he is alienated from the world, his family, and even his own body. From this alienation Gregor isolates himself and, like a regular vermin, he hides from the world.
--Anna Alarcon
I believe that the novella embodies magical realism. The absurdity on how Gregor and his family reacted to his appearance is one puzzling reaction. Most people would've taken such presented situation in a manner of panic, horrified, abbysmal questioning and endless search or a quest for a cure or an answer. Contrary the Samsa's calmly took the situation as a misfortune, simply disgusted and sunken low into despair. They easily accepted the situation as one incurable misfortune, helpless they simply chose to ignore Gregor. Characterized by magical realism there is no higher power or any outside forces to explain what triggered such occurrence in Gregor's physicality. Also, clearly Gregor's actions doesn't explain why he has been severely punished in such fate of a hideous metamorphosis. There wasn't any definite explanation why it was Gregor, the ever willing son who sacrifices himself on a daily basis for his family victimized by such metamorphosis.
ReplyDeleteI personally see how this story could be taken as both magic and metaphorical. I believe for the younger generation coming up who may read this, it may come across as magical transformation only due to the growth in magic in film productions and television. The transformation of a man into a nasty bug would lose its deep interpretation because it wouldnt seem as abnormal to this newer generation as it does to this present generation and the ones before. Being that the transformation of people into animals isnt something unseen for example, The Princess and the Frog or other disney creations, seeing this as pure magic isnt absolutely absurd. But for those of us who can leave the realm of what is commonly seen can clearly see the extended metaphor used for this piece. Being that Samsa is already known to be a hard working man who really isolates himself from his family and surroundings the transformation into a bug only helps his push to be further from people. HUmans are naturally unfriendly with bugs only because they dont know much about them and they look "different" and "gross". The lack of connection between humans and bugs makes them distance themselves from them and try to rid of them; same idea with Samsa. The fact that he drowns himself in his work only makes his family want to be more distant from him because he is "different" and therefore they have no further connection. So what better way to drive the distance then by allowing Samsa to turn in to humans most hated and disconnected thing on earth; a "hideous" insect.
ReplyDelete- Asate Gibson
Brittany Moses makes a good point about why it would be considered Magical Realism, stating that the detail was very precise in the introduction. The simple fact that he's a bug can very much so be used to show an extended metaphor, but when the details come in the author wants to more fix the readers mind on concrete physical appearance rather than opinionated free moving ideas. Good Job Ms. Moses !
ReplyDelete- Asante Gibson
Metamorphosis is much magical realism as it is an extended metaphor. Magical realism is evident throughout the story because of his unexplainable transformation and how it’s so visibly illustrated in comparison to the apathy Gregor treats it with. He treats getting out of bed, opening a door, or moving in general with his little new legs as merely passable obstacles concerning work or any other efficiency. As an extended metaphor his transformation could serve as the manifestation of a mental illness resulting from overworking himself. He has intentions of continuing on with these routines, but his he just can’t physically or mentally handle it anymore. Because of his mindset, he falls into denial of this fact, but everyone can see just how much it’s affecting him. The lines between magical realism and extended metaphor become a little more blurred as the family and any unfortunate others are literally repulsed by the sight of him. This is further achieved as he hangs of ceilings and crawls around leaving excess emphasizing that he has now fully embodied his current state as a parasite, or a bug. As the story progresses his condition worsens to the point where he is unable to eat. He is no longer an important benefactor of the family, but now finds that he is the one in need of their care. However, they would’ve already gotten rid of him had they not remembered him as their son who has become shameful in there eyes and seen as only something to tolerate. His father goes so far as to throw an apple at him. The apple, a symbol of original sin, becomes embedded in his skin marking him and reminding him of the fault he has fallen into and that it will always stay with him.
ReplyDelete- Jerica Nimedez
Because of Gregor's transformation into a bug overnight, it is easy to see this story as an example of magical realism. The author's failure to explain the metamorphosis allows the audience to assume it is a reasonable occurrence. However, while Kafka leaves the details as to the metamorphosis unknown, this just as much supports the idea of an extended metaphor as it does magical realism. By exploring the process of Gregor's transformation, Kafka would be veering away from the point of his metaphor - to compare Gregor's feelings of alienation to how a hideous insect would feel living amongst humans. So, instead of going in depth in describing how and why Gregor turns into a bug, Kafka glosses over the process to continue his metaphor.
ReplyDeleteGregor's initial tranformation and subsequent interactions with the rest of the household aim to explicate feelings of isolation and alienation. Rather than becoming an actual bug, Gregor one day wakes up with the realization that he is not apart of society. As is revealed later in the novel, Gregor has already been experiencing feelings of superficiality in his relationships at work. He travels so often that he never develops any real friendships. Also, the bond he's shared with his family has begun to decline as well as his loved-ones come to expect the financial support he provides. They no longer appreciate him as they once did and consequently, Gregor begins to feel more detached from his family. Gregor allows these feelings to accumulate to the point that he no longer feels like a true member of society; this is represented with his metamorphosis into a bug. Gregor's feelings of alienation are so overwhelming that they become debilitating for him; he cannot perform any of the activities which could a responsible adult and he relies on his family to take care of him (represented by Gregor always staying in his room and needing his family to feed him everyday). His family is repulsed and disgusted by the "bug" he has become, just as most families would be if their provider had become helpless. His family tries to help him and put up with him, but, just as with any adult trying to live with his/her parents, Gregor becomes intolerable and a burden (represented by the feelings of uneasiness which Gregor inspires and his scaring away of the borders). As a result, his family can no longer tolerate him and resolves to force him to leave; before they can, Gregor dies and relieves his family of their obligatory care for him. This short story clearly follows a metaphor for an adult who no longer fits in with the rest of the world, becomes useless as he relies on his parents for survival, pays the price of losing his family's sympathy and eventually dies.
I interpret the story more as extended metaphor. This is a story about an individual who has a sudden accident or injury of some sort who becomes paralyzed for life and shows how the family copes with this burden. He was the main provider for the family financially but now he is more weight on the family's shoulders. The rest of the family must figure out how to carry on without him but also find a way to care and feed Gregor. This is a difficult task, because his is their child, a member of the family but this sudden change has transformed him into a burden. The girl feels as though she should care for him and gain responsibility as an adult, but cannot because she is young and childish still. By having Gregor turn into a giant bug, it reflects how the family can cope, bond closer, and grow stronger by unfortunate events.
ReplyDelete-Tyara Vazquez
I see this novella as magical realism because the characters just accept the metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa and they don’t look for the cause of the problem or even solutions to it. They see it as something that just happened and they just keep living their life while slowly adjusting to it. Even though Samsa’s family is disgusted at his new appearance, they aren’t shocked or even terrified that this has occurred to him. They just see it as another thing that is basically normal because they accept it as is. I believe that the metamorphosis is magical realism also because of the way Gregor was transformed out of nowhere. There is no higher power or anything else that is contributed to the cause of the metamorphosis so this adds to the magical transformation that is accepted in their real life.
ReplyDeleteIn Franz Kafka's novella, "The Metamorphosis", it's more interpreted as an extended metaphor. The transformation that Gregor appeared to be, "a montrous vermin", speaks to be an example of a extended metaphor. Throughout the passage, Kafka describes Gregor as an insect; "little legs exuding a little sticky substance." Now where can we find a person's leg that's little that has sticky substance? Or when he says, "brown liquid came out from his mouth." That specifically describes an insect. Furthermore, besides Gregor is being described as a bug, it goes beyond that. It also invovles how he feels as a person--alienation. He feels alienated because his busy providing life for his family and paying off his parent's debt to the Head Clerk. As this economic problem takes over his life, he doesn't have that normal life to live. Another example is also when he wakes up. He no longer can function himself completly because of the pain he is feeling as he woke up. Then as his manager and his family tries to help him out of his room, Gregor tries to explain himself why his late for work and the manager says, "did you hear that? It sounded like an animal." To add to that, when Gregor finally gets out of the room, his parents and manager avoids approaching him because of his appearance. This leads Gregor to feel alienated. Overall, extended metaphor is what is interpreted in the passages as Gregor's transformation occurs. This leds him to feel out of place. Not only in the inside, but also on the outside.
ReplyDelete-Rowena Campania Acruz
I would have to say that Metamorphosis can be filed under the category of Magical Realism. The book introduces Gregor's transformation as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. It doesn’t explain why it happened, it just happened and expects the reader to accept it and move on. The characters also make no attempt to understand this event; they just go on with life and try to tolerate it. This shows that magic is a natural part of this world, and thus the story is considered magical realism.
ReplyDeleteSome would also say that Metamorphosis is an extended metaphor. Gregor turns into an insect because he feels like an insect, perhaps because he is always being stepped upon by everyone he knows. He is apart from humanity when he is constantly on the road working to support his family which makes him alienated from friends, society, and even from himself as he never has any free time. From this alienation Gregor isolates himself from the world, like vermin.
-Alex Steuernagel
In the novel the Metamorphosis the sense of magical realism is more relatable due to the effect that he has the physical features of an insect and the fact that Franz Kafka does not give much focus on the transformation that just took place makes this more to the side of magical realism.Since Gregor was the head of the house and was the one who brought the food to the table and was in charge of clearing his family's debt now that he has transformed into this insect he will not be able to carry on with this duty. Furthermore when Gregor woke up to this unexpected morning finding himself transformed into an insect did not push him off the ladder he acted like it was a normal thing and continued to make an effort to proceed with his day.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand an extended metaphor would also apply to this novel because Gregor could have entered into a state of mind where he just gave up and decided to adjust like a bug. But then again even though he is not able to go to work he was making an effort to be able to get up and try to go on with his daily routine but found it a challenge due to his physical state of being. This novel is more on the side of magical realism because when Gregor discovers that his entire body is changed he does not panic he is just worried about going to work.
The story can be interpreted as both magical realism and as an extended metaphor. There is a factor of magical realism since no explanation is given to why or how Gregor was changed into an insect. The extended metaphor made a lot of sense to me than, well Gregor just one day woke up as a large insect. In the story the reader can see how Gregor dislikes being a burden on his family, and how his family feel obligated to take care up him just because he is still considered part of the family. Towards the end of the story though, Grete and the father realize that they cannot keep living under the stressful conditions, economically and financially. This part of the story makes sense as an extended metaphor since Gregor begins to feel so much of a burden that he feels as if he were in fact vermin. These feelings of guilt and incapacity to do things could reflect how some sick people may feel to their families. Either way the story can be interpreted both as magical realism and as an extended metaphor.
ReplyDeleteThe metamorphosis can indeed be interpreted by both an extended metaphor and magical realism, nevertheless, it tends to lead more towards magical realism overall. At first one might think that this is one long metaphor by how Samsa acts right after his metamorphosis, calm and quiet; only commenting about his job, and his boss. But as the novella carries on one might begin to loose that notion as more and more factors discourages any thought of a metaphor. Only after the manager has come to the house and left in extreme horror can we solidify the thought that what has happened to Samsa is real. Through this Kafka expresses the pointlessness of living, by giving his point though what has happened to Samsa, and finally demonstrating that this absurdity is as much real as this bug.
ReplyDeleteIsaac Gonzalez
The Metamophosis can be described either way as a Magical Realism and an extended metaphor. Although Gregor's life can be similar to the way of how a "slacker dude" can act. This novella, from the basic exposition shows magical realism in the long run. However the extended metaphor can be seen where Gregor is lazy and does not want to anticipate in his life, however within his thoughts he wanted to help his family when it comes into financial situations, and how he despises his job because his boss can act so tyrannical. Although a slacker does participate in anything or gets to their duty eventually, Magical Realism can be seen within novella because for being actually transformed into a bug, this stops Gregor from physically trying to aide his family. Gregor would try wouldn't just stay in his room and starve himself, and people can't be too shallow where appearance can turn to the hault of paying housing payments. Gregor is more defined as a bug, he is a monstrous looking creature, that is repulsed by everyone in his family and people who saw a site of him, just like how if the curtain are blue because they are blue. In reality when people see bugs, they stay distant from them. The new maid who wasn't as repulsed as everyone else, almost threatened to hurt Gregor with a chair. Furthermore within this book his family stays distant from their own son, eventually resenting Gregor. This explains how absurd Magical Realism can be, when this event just as happen for no particular reason.
ReplyDeleteThe viewpoint I see this novella would have to be in the Magical Realism point of view. I thought about how it could be an extended metaphor but he isn't lazy and he isn't sick. He feels guilty that he can't do anything for his family he wants to help them. It could also be magical realism because like what many have said above, we are just thrown into the story. None of the characters look for explanations on why he has turned into a bug nor do they look for a solution for Gregor's problem. They just go on with their lives trying to live as normally as possible with Gregor.
ReplyDeleteRight from the moment that Gregor comments on his transformation into an insect overnight, the reader can automatically perceive that the story can be considered as “magical realism.” From the moment that he sees his physical change it seems absurd how he does not panic at all, when any normal person would probably freak out if this ever happened to him. It is very confusing how Gregor without panic at all just copped with this “misfortune” and decided that he could not do anything about it. Just like Gregor, his parents and sister accepted the misfortune and just decided to never mention Gregor ever again and become used to this quiet and tedious lifestyle. It has been brought to my attention that Gregor seems to be like quite a responsible man, working somewhere he doesn’t love in order for his parents to have the commodity of living at peace, not working, and sending his sister to a nice music school. It is unknown why destiny or fate would punish him in such a way, or why “magical forces,” would ever do that to him. Even though Gregor accepts this his misfortune without any problem, it is never known why he becomes a victim of this metamorphisis.
ReplyDelete-Marianna Meneses
The way I view this novella is under the Magical Realism perspective. My reasoning is that they are not trying to solve why the metamorphosis happened or how to change Gregor back to his human form. Through the majority of the story, they are all coping with the fact that it happened and there is nothing to do with it. There are no potions are spells to fix it. In the novella, all the characters are just as stunned and clueless as the readers, basically, we are all on the same page; Gregor woke up as an insect and there is not reasoning to the transformation.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the novella can be interrupted as more magical realism. Like Mr. Rodriguez pointed out about the opening, Kafka simply jumps into the story without even explaining as to how and why Gregor took such a shape.One of the main reasons as to why I don't see it as being an extended metaphor is because when Gregor awakes the first thing that comes to mind isn't that he is now a bug but that he must go to work to help his family. Also, when his sister and mother move things out of his room to accomadate to his new lifestyle, he becomes very emotional on letting go of that part of his life, he even clings on to a picture of a woman in fur. The author continues without forwardly telling the reader Gregor's relationship status with his family, it is seen and represented through the imagery and descriptions. The ending is also left up to the reader. Gregor dies without true reason, besides feeling overwhelmed and alienated. Leaving a sense of wonder.
ReplyDeleteAndrea Piocos, P.1
I agree with what everyone ahs been saying, I see the novella more as magical realism because, they author takes something so out of the ordinary and puts it into this real life situation. As with when he first transforms, he doesn't think anything of the fact that he is now this huge bug. He is only concerned that he missed his first train and must get on the next. If this was an extended metaphor than he wouldn't really have been a bug. But in the novella they weren't alienating him because they ust decided they didn't love him anymore, it was because he had really turned into this bug that they saw as repulsive.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Masi