Friday, May 6, 2011
Reaction to the book
Last night I finished the book Metamorphosis and I have to say I was very disappointed. The book in my opinion wasn't very eventful. Most of the book was about Gregor sitting in his room and his sister cleaning it. The ending didn't satisfy me either. I don't know if I'm missing some hidden meaning in the story because I just not get it at all. If anyone knows of anything, LET ME KNOW!
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Well, Metamorphosis is a horrible story if you only look at the literal meanings of everything, but there are so many things going on if you really analyze it. The only problem is that there are so many different interpretations that can be made.
ReplyDeleteHowever, one interpretation that we made in class was that the whole thing was a religious reference. It's impossible to say if this is what Kafka was really getting at, but I'll include some evidence for you. The number three is huge in religious contexts, and it is displayed repeatedly throughout Metamorphosis; there are three doors in Gregor's room, three boarders, 3 other family members, three chapters, three maids, and in the end, the clock struck three. The apple lodged in Gregor's back could symbolize the cross Jesus bore on his back. The maid poked Gregor's body with a broom just like the Romans poked Jesus' body with a spear. Gregor had a wound on his left side, just like where Jesus was slashed. Grete betrays him in the end just like Judas Iscariot does with Jesus. Jesus is often referred to as a light, and light floods into Gregor's room at the very end. When the family sees Gregor's body the father literally says, "Now we can thank God." The entire story takes place in the Spring and during Easter, the time of the rebirth of Jesus. It could be said that Gregor sacrifices himself for his family, just like Jesus did. Lastly, the end focuses on Grete and how she is almost reborn, and this could be interpreted as Gregor being resurrected in Grete.
That's just one interpretation, and I hope it provides some satisfaction with the story, but I'm sure there are many others.
Aly Aly Aly. Metamorphasis is a very strange book that is very entertaining. I dont really look for biblical references in books but in this one you have to. It has a strong symbolism. I honestly didnt like it until we talked about it in class more.
ReplyDeleteITS A HORRIBlE BOOK, I DON'T CARE THAT IS HAS STRONG SYMBOLISM! IT STILL SUCKS!
ReplyDelete