The MetamorphosisBy: Franz Kafka

Biography

● July 3, 1883; Prague● Accountant● Kafka’s father● Never married; no kids● Max Brod● Tuberculosis

Characters and Setting

● Gregor● mom● dad

● Gregor’s house

● sister● maid● chief clerk

Character TraitsPhysical

● Many thin legs. ● Armor-like back● Brown belly● Ugly (vermin)

Emotional

Due to debt

● Responsible● Hardworking

Due to job

● Miserable ● Stressed● Unhappy

Due to transformation

● Shy ● Thoughtful

Exposition● Gregor Samsa worked as a traveling salesman, but he hated his work and life.

The only reason why he kept his job was because he needed to pay his parents debt.

● Miserable● Sad● Lonely● Responsible● Quiet● Dedicated● Confused

● Mournful● Hard working● Scared and stressed

Rising Action

One morning when Gregor wakes up, he finds himself transformed into a vermin. He was unable to go to work and couldn't get out of his bed.

Climax

The chief clerk arrives to Gregor’s home because Gregor didn’t showed up at work. Gregor tries to communicate but not a single word he says is understood. His family and the chief get suspicious.

Falling Action

Gregor was able to get to the door, stand up, grab the key and open it. So his family could get in and see what was wrong with him.

Resolution

When Gregor opens the door, his mom starts crying, his dad wants to punch him, and the chief was surprised. Those reactions led Gregor to isolate himself again.

Samsa’s Problem

● Gregor realized he had woke up late, so he couldn’t get to work and he would miss the train. He was worried of what his boss would think of him because he had never missed one day of work. Also, he was turned into a vermin, and when his boss sent someone to check on him, he couldn’t stand up and answer the door.

Symbolism

● Vermin=dehumanization//author feelings● Gregor’s bed=comfort zone//misery//consumed● Train=time● Clock=anxiety//stress● Door=obstacle//his isolation● The clerk=society pressure● Key=effort to leave isolation● Family=society morals

Vocabulary

● Vermin: Pest or a plague of bugs, mice etc; creatures that are considered destructive or annoying.

● Subordinate: A person who works under someone of higher power.● Boa and buff: Boa is like a scarf; and muff is like a soft tube into which people

put their hands for warmth.● Plaintively: Sadly or wistfully, unhappy, mournful.● Enunciate: To articulate or pronounce clearly.● Workshy: Lazy, unwilling to perform labor; work.● Soughing: A soft moaning or whistling sound.● Fretsaw: A type saw used to cut delicate curves in wood.

Themes

● Unpleasantness at work

● Emotional and physical instability

● Isolation

Tone

Dispassionate and Detached Tone

● This dispassionate tone leads to a lot of dark humor in the novella,we know that Gregor really shouldn't be a Vermin and that we would laugh at his predicament makes it dark.