Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
hy did Vladimir Nabokov -- a brilliant, respected and often-quoted novelist, best known perhaps for his classic novel, Lolita -- do a razor-sharp editing job on Kafka's The Metamorphosis? And what is the meaning and the motivation behind Nabokov's intervention into the classic Kafka short story? This paper reviews Kafka's iconic short story and delves into the way in which Nabokov has editorially changed the direction and meaning of the narrative.

The Kafka story is considered among the most read and most discussed short stories in all literature. hy is it so well-thought-of? For one thing, it is dramatically different from ninety-nine percent of all short stories. For another, there is meaning within the bizarre events. Of course it is a ridiculous idea to change a man into a massive roach, and the beginning of Kafka's story has to be approached with an open mind for the reader.…...

mla

Works Cited

De La Durantaye, Leland. (2007). Kafka's Reality and Nabokov's Fantasy. On Dwarves,

Saints, Beetles, Symbolism, and Genius. Comparative Literature, 59(4), 315-331.

Hartman, Tom. (1985). Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Explicator, 43(2), 32-35.

Krause, Edith H. (2005). Wisdom and the Tightrope of Being, Aspects of Nietzsche in Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Dialogue and Universalism, 15(5/6), 21-34.

Specific events in the story reflect this posthuman and postmodernist change in form and thought of the individual, characterized by Samsa. The first incident of posthuman change and acceptance was when Samsa's family had just discovered his metamorphosis. While Samsa questioned his transformation at first, after some time, he felt comfortable with the change himself: "…for the first time that day, he began to feel alright with his body…and he soon was believing that all his sorrows would soon be finally at an end." This reflects posthuman change and postmodern thought, wherein Samsa actually becomes receptive to the idea that he has changed and his metamorphosis could be a possible relief from all the "sorrows" he is experiencing. Another example of postmodern thought is reflected this time by Samsa's doubts and confusion over his metamorphosis. His family's rejection of his metamorphosis hurt him and made him question the acceptability of…...

mla

References

Clarke, B. (2005). "Mediating the Fly: posthuman metamorphosis in the 1950s." Configurations, Vol. 10, No. 1.

Johansen, I. (2005). "Monstrosities in a cold climate: Stacey Levine and the Postmodernist Fantastic." Anglo Files, No. 135.

Kafka, F. (2005). "The Metamorphosis." Translated by D. Wyllie. Project Gutenberg Website. Retrieved 23 July 2012. Available at:  http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5200/5200-h/5200-h.htm

When Grete first saw Gregor, she was in denial. Gregor's metamorphosis was like being confronted by sudden death. On the other hand, Gregor's continued presence defied the grieving process. He was dead; but he was not gone. Grete could not come to terms with the loss of her brother because in order to accept this loss, Gregor had to be physically removed. That he was not removed caused anguish in Grete's life. Her reaction to this anguish is to turn on her brother. During this struggle to find acceptance Grete begins a journey of self-discovery. She metamorphoses from a shy and dependent girl to a mature woman, ready for marriage and ready to take on the responsibilities of raising and caring for a family.
In Grete, his sister, Gregor feels a protective kinship; he is successful in drawing out of Grete the most active sympathy. Grete cares for Gregor as…...

Metamorphosis
Gregor Samsa, the man-turned-insect central character in Franz Kafka's the Metamorphosis, leads readers to question: who is truly in need of help? Clearly, Gregor needs help with returning to his human form, but other than that he is extremely unassuming and dedicated to taking care of his family. He never misses a day of work at his stressful job, and even when he finds himself transformed into a giant, grotesque bug, doesn't react with shock and self-pity. He simply tries to do the best he can. On the other hand, Gregor's family's actions toward him as an insect are grotesque and inhuman. They know that inside he is still Gregor, yet his outward appearance makes it impossible for them to show any genuine, lasting compassion. His sister tries but cannot maintain her dedication. This irony about who is really grotesque also applies to any situation where a good person has…...

mla

References

AIDS, Avert: Averting HIV and. HIV and AIDS stigma and discrimination. 2011. 07-02 2011 .

Amos, Dennis. Kafka's Revealing Metamorphosis. 1998. 07-02 2011 .

Association, Canadian Mental Health. Understanding Mental Illness. 2008. 07-02 2011 .

Dominguez, Nick. Social Outcasts. 2007. 07-02 2011

Metamorphosis and Frankenstein
No Eve soothed my sorrows, nor shared my thoughts; I was alone. I remembered Adam's supplication to his Creator. ut where was mine? He had abandoned me: and, in the bitterness of my heart, I cursed him." (Marry Shelly Frankenstein)

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and Frankenstein by Marry Shelly perhaps two of the most brilliant stories in English literature, Shelly and Kafka touch the sensitive issue of human relationship and human ability to confront an unusual situation. oth the stories tell us about the complex situation in which the individuals are thrown in, and their ability to overcome the situation. Most of all, it tells us about the human struggle, tragedy and despair in the face of failure. Though both the stories are different in their plot there are striking similarities between the themes of both the novel. Frankenstein is anything but a common novel; many lessons are embedded…...

mla

Bibliography

Mary Shelly, Frankenstein Available at  http://www.literature.org/authors/shelley-mary/frankenstein/ 

Franz Kafka, Metamorphosis Available at  http://www.vr.net/~herzogbr/kafka/meta.htm 

Jesse Lichtenstein

SparkNotes on The Metamorphosis. 3 June 2002.  http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/metamorph .

This is where the conflict between the asserting individual and the conventional society emerges, leaving the individual in isolation if he persists in asserting himself.
Annotated bibliography

Sandner, David. Fantastic literature: a critical reader. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2004.

In this analysis of what he terms as 'fantastic literature,' Sandner looks into the transition of 'realities' in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. This transition of realities is the shift from the supernatural to the 'acceptable reality' to describe Gregor's transformation to an insect to eventually being accepted as, indeed, less than a human and more an animal.

Hollingsworth, Cristopher. Poetics of the Hive: the insect metaphor in literature. Iowa: Iowa University Press, 2001.

Hollingsworth's analysis looks into the theme of repression of Gregor Samsa, illustrating explicitly how an insect, which Gregor has transformed into, symbolizes independence and autonomy. It is through Gregor's transformation to an insect that Gregor sought freedom from his repression, and it…...

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
There aren't many stories that begin with an opening as shocking and hideous as Kafka's opening sentence in The Metamorphosis. It is preposterous of course to imagine waking up in bed and discovering you are a huge roach, but by doing that Kafka has the reader's undivided attention. He has set the tone for what will follow. Not only is he a big insect, his voice sounds like the buzzing of an insect. This is a story with a psychological twist; it is likely that Kafka wrote this story in order to somehow work through his rebellion against his father, with whom he had a tense relationship. Meanwhile the protagonist / bug is Gregor Samsa, who has to remain in his room lest his family find out that he isn't a human anymore. His family is in denial that the bug is really Gregor. They shove him…...

mla

Works Cited

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis, in the Penal Colony and Other Stories: The Great Short

Works of Franz Kafka. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000.

Metamorphosis
Gender has always been based upon the society's ideas about male and female. This is different from the physical difference between the sexes. The concurrent psychology of the masses dictates what is considered to be proper or improper behavior for the given genders. Males are ascribed masculine traits and females are supposed to be feminine. Fictional characters are written by flesh and blood human beings and consequently the norms of the social order will bleed into their fictional creations. Female characters in a fictional work will have the same gendered notes as a human being and the same expectations based upon that gender. If they do not prescribe to the norms of their given gender, it is always for an artistic purpose which functions as the purpose of the piece. Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" use the gender of their fictional protagonists to further the story and to make a…...

mla

Works Cited:

Kafka, Franz. "The Metamorphosis." Trans. David Wyllie. Classix. 2009. Print.

This puts her in the prison of love towards Michael despite him being dead. Therefore, the two stories indicate the aspect of how routine affects the characters lives.
Moreover, there is a significant similarity in their use of language and writing styles. The two writers use symbolism in the narration of their tales. In the Metamorphosis by Kafka, the major symbolism is the metamorphosis of Gregor into the insect (Kafka 15). This shows the changes along which the relations occur. Additionally, the change into the bug shows how the family intruded into a cold life of alienation from each other. Therefore, Kafka applies symbolism throughout his writing. Similarly, the story the Dead by Joyce uses symbolism to show the relations between the dead and the living. Michael is dead; however, the song reminds Gretta of their love. Thus, the use of the song is symbolical. Additionally, through his death, Michael…...

mla

Works cited

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Mont.: Kessinger Pub, 2000. Print.

Joyce, James. The Dead. Claremont, CA: Coyote Canyon Press, 2008. Print.

Reiner, Jay. "James Joyce's the Dead'." Hollywood Reporter 403 (2008): 13,13,16. ProQuest.

Web. 18 May 2013.

Metamorphosis
Transition of family relations in "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka: an analysis of the path from disintegration to integration of the Samsa family

In 19th century Western literature, Franz Kafka is known for his explication and interpretation of life by subsisting to psychoanalytical analysis in creating his characters in his literary works. In a period where Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx's ideologies dominate and prevail in the society, Kafka ranks as one of the most contemplative writers confronting issues self-discovery and -- realization through literature.

"The Metamorphosis," a short story by Kafka, discusses the theme of the protagonist's path towards self-discovery and -- realization. Through the character of Gregor Samsa, Kafka reflects how his discovery and realization of his true self led to his further disintegration from his family, but paradoxically, has also strengthened family relations between his mother, father, and sister. That is, just as Gregor's self-realization leads to his…...

mla

Bibliography

Kafka, F. (1996). The Metamorphosis and other stories. (Dover Thrift edition). NY: Dover Thrift Publications, Inc.

Metamorphosis Frank Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is a short novel that was first published in 1915. The author uses his experience to develop much of Gregor Samsa’s life and demonstrate the physical metamorphosis. Prior to the metamorphosis, the protagonist’s family viewed him as a means of survival and eventually took advantage of him. Samsa’s alienation from the family and his surrounding world begins with his transformation into an insect. According to Kafka, the book is a “story of a young man who, transformed overnight into a giant beetle like insect, becomes an object of disgrace to his family…” (p.1). After the metamorphosis, the protagonist becomes a quintessentially alienated man as he is an outsider in his own home. While Samsa is available and close to his family and friends, they are unable to communicate with him as he is trapped in another physical body that makes it impossible for him to connect…...

he idea of the communication failure between Gregor and his family is emphasized through the use of a very powerful metaphor, i.e. he doors in Gregor's room. Gregor's room is both a safe retreat and a place of complete isolation from his family, similarly to how the author himself took refuge from his father in his room. In fact, Gregor's room can be deconstructed as a symbol for Kafka's own life in his father's house; in this sense, the room becomes an escape in both cases. In Gregor's case, the room symbolizes his escape in both instances of his life; as a young man, he retreats to his room where he is at the same time hidden from and harassed by his family. Secondly, as a bug, he finds shelter in his room which also acts as his prison as he is no longer able to exit without his…...

mla

The issue of communication is very strong throughout the story. Gregor becomes detached from humanity not only through the physical process of transformation that he undergoes, but also through the complete loss of communication that results as a consequence of his metamorphosis. The failure to communicate with his own family creates a breach between Gregor's inner life which has essentially remained the same, and the outer world which perceives him as an insect, and not a human being. In other words, Gregor remains Gregor in his own eyes, but his appearance determined his sister and parents to regard him as a mere insect. This accounts for the communication wedge between the now-insect Gregor and his family who do not accept that despite his appearance, he is still their son and brother. With the exception of the rare loving addresses of his mother, Gregor is shown neither affection nor understanding.

No explanation is provided as to Gregor's metamorphosis. In fact, such an explanation would is not even relevant but the reader is free to assume that the salesman turned into a giant bug because of the hardship and isolation of his life. However the main change in his life is brought by his helplessness and his feeling of redundancy in the eyes of his own family. His personal life does not change dramatically as he is shown the same lack of compassion and understanding as before. Nevertheless, he is now completely unimportant to his family as he can no longer provide for them hence they sever all ties with him and stop seeing Gregor as a member of the family.

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Kessinger Publishing, 2001.

Grete, Gregor's sister, may go through the most dramatic and genuine change in the entire novel. Whereas the father merely reverts back to adopting the roles that he is supposed to fulfill and did at an earlier point in the family's history, and the mother simply succumbs to her emotional weaknesses that were already present, the direction of Grete's psychological and emotional development is dramatically altered because of Gregor's transformation. Grete was on her way to growing up completely dependent upon her brother. His secret desire to send her to a conservatory to study violin may or may not have been her desire as well, but her devotion to her brother would likely have inspired her to follow his wishes especially since he was taking on the entire financial burden of her education. Grete is the only one to find the strength to directly deal with Gregor in his new…...

Gradually, Gregor discovers how unimportant he really is to the family, and how little they really care about him. He has given them his love and devotion, and they repay him by locking him away when he needs them the most.
Kafka uses the plot to show the increasing disinterest of Gregor's family, and how they have used him for the last five years. His father has grown "fat and sluggish," his mother relied on the servants (that he paid for), and his sister did nothing much at all. He worked like a dog to keep the family together, and in thanks, they lock him away in his room when he becomes an embarrassment. Kafka uses this plot device to add information about the family, all the while showing Gregor's sweet disposition. Gregor's life is meaningless and empty, but he does not blame them for any of it. Instead, he…...

mla

References

Bloom, Harold, ed. Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis.' New York: Chelsea House, 1988.

Kafka, Franz. Selected Short Stories of Franz Kafka. Trans. Willa Muir and Edwin Muir. New York: Modern Library, 1952.

Olsen, Eric. "The Labyrinth Within: Franz Kafka and the Predicament of Modern Man." World and I, Volume: 19, Issue: 6, June 2004.

Kafka's the Metamorphosis
Question # 3.) In this topic, discuss the symbolism in Kafka's "Metamorphosis." For instance, one of the most important images is the window and its relationship to Gregor's vision. There are also other equally important symbols too, like music, furniture, the apple, and Gregor's insect body. In this topic, analyze how Kafka uses symbolic objects and images to convey Gregor's pain and suffering. You can also connect Kafka's story to Bartleby or Gogol's "Overcoat." Just make sure that you should focus on Kafka's story and incorporate quotes from Kafka to illustrate your point.

Within the canon of classic Western literature, there have been few works of fiction which have inspired as much critical debate as Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Originally written in 1912 and published in his native German in 1915, Kafka's masterpiece presents the curious dilemma of Gregor Samsa, a young man who readers learn in the…...

Title: "Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Healthcare: A Comprehensive Analysis of Healthcare in 2020 and 2021"

Title: "Healthcare 2020-2021: A Journey Through Transformation - Innovations, Adversities, and Future Implications"

Title: "The Healthcare Chronicles of 2020-2021: Challenges, Innovations, and the Resilient Spirit of Care"

Title: "Healthcare 2020-2021: A Comparative Analysis of Shifting Paradigms and Persistent Struggles"

Title: "The Healthcare Evolution: Analyzing the Impact of 2020-2021 on the Future of Patient Care"

Title: "Healthcare's Pivotal Moment: A Comprehensive Overview of the 2020-2021 Healthcare Journey"

Title: "Healthcare 2020-2021: A Story of Resilience, Adaptation, and Technological Advancements"

Title: "Healthcare's Trials and Triumphs: Unveiling the Lessons Learned from 2020-2021"

Title: "Healthcare's Metamorphosis: The....

## Navigating the Labyrinth of Gang-Related Essay Topics

Investigating gang-related topics for an essay can be an intricate and illuminating endeavor, allowing you to delve into the complexities of this societal phenomenon. From the historical origins of gangs to their impact on communities and potential solutions, there is a multitude of angles to explore. Let's embark on a journey through ten potential essay topics, each offering a unique perspective on the multifaceted world of gangs:

### 1. The Genesis of Gangs: A Historical Retrospection

Immerse yourself in the historical backdrop of gangs, tracing their origins and evolution across different epochs and geographical regions.....

Original Thesis Statement:

In the tapestry of life, adversity weaves intricate threads that shape our experiences and forge an unyielding resilience within us.

Refined Thesis Statement:

Through the crucible of adversity, the human spirit undergoes a profound metamorphosis, emerging with an indomitable resolve and a newfound appreciation for life's complexities and blessings.

Explanation:

The original thesis statement effectively captures the essence of the narrative by highlighting the transformative power of adversity. However, the refined thesis statement expands upon this idea by incorporating the following enhancements:

Crucible Metaphor: The inclusion of the metaphor "crucible" evokes the notion of a transformative trial through intense heat and pressure,....

Topic 1: The Metamorphosis of Meaning

Examine the transformative journey of an individual who navigated a life devoid of purpose to one filled with deep meaning and fulfillment. Explore the catalysts that ignited this change, the challenges encountered, and the profound lessons learned along the way.

Topic 2: The Awakening from Limbo

Analyze the psychological and emotional experiences of someone who spent years in a state of apathy and purposelessness. Discuss the epiphany that jolted them awake, the fear and uncertainty that followed, and the strategies they employed to create a meaningful life.

Topic 3: The Catalyst of Adversity

Investigate the role that adversity can....