Metamorphosis Response 3

His entire body was aching, but it seemed to him as if the pains were gradually fading and would ultimately vanish altogether. He could barely feel the rotting apple in his back or the inflamed area around it, which were thoroughly cloaked with soft dust. He recalled his family with tenderness and love. His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sister’s. He lingered in this state of blank and peaceful musing until the tower clock struck three in the morning. He held on long enough to glimpse the start of the overall brightening outside the window. Then his head involuntarily sank to the floor, and his final breath came feebly from his nostrils. (182)

Write about the way the passage speaks to you about the
essential idea of the story.

The imagery the author uses here is relaxing and quite peaceful, creating a death scene with a hopeful heart. This particular death scene brings twofold reasons to rejoice: One, that an end is brought to Gregor's aching as his pains gradually fade and he achieves a more peaceful state. Secondly and with more emphasis, there is a new beginning for the family, which the author notes is far more important to Gregor than his own benefit. The imagery of the dawn puts greater focus on this new day and new opportunity.

I feel like this passage speaks to the nature of human progress. We frequently feel tied to the past on both an individual and community scale as human beings, and often there has to be an end of the old to bring a new beginning. It can be as small as the end of a friendship or as massive as the French Revolution.

On the grander scales, this often only happens with great opposition from the expiring party. What differentiates this story is Gergory willing himself to die so that those around him might live new and better lives. In dying he has claimed his own "humanity" but sacrificing for others at his own expense. This is a classic conflict for our species as a whole, among that of many other social species: self preservation versus the good of others to whom you are responsible. As a whole, we value altruism, because the whole cannot survive without it. This passage for me sheds a new light on the essential idea of the story. Once again, I am brought back to the classic Roman idea of Pietas. While many think of it as simple virtue and duty to the county and gods, they often neglect the third aspect: responsibility to the family and loved ones. Ah how the classics permeate through history to our time...

Metamorphosis Response 2

Where is there a tension between Gregor claiming his humanity and surrendering his humanity? In his family’s willingness/reluctance to recognize his humanity?

One of the central tensions between Gregor maintaining and relinquishing his humanity can be found in the passage detailing his mother's and sister's attempt to remove furniture from his room. Gregor is struggling to maintain his sanity, and these familiar objects keep him tied to the rationality of the human mind in these unending weeks of isolation and encroaching madness. However, the removal of the furniture would allow the family to dispose of it to their benefit, while more importantly increasing the room Gregor has in which to move. Thus going along or resisting the removal of the furniture is a contest between embracing humanity or insectitude. Obviously Gregor's rabid defense of his picture reflects this tense desire to claim his humanity for himself.

Meanwhile, the tension with his family members may be seen throughout this part as his sister after a month still cannot stand the sight of him, his mother is entirely avoidant, and his father only holds back from killing him due to the effeminate pleas of his only sympathizer. They are instinctively afraid of this unknown and grotesque situation; thus we are brought into the classic theme of human behavior under the influence of primal fear. Human sympathies, love, and even family connections dissolve when one is truly mad with fear. It would be one thing to have one's life threatened under normal circumstances, but the abnormality and uncertainty of the predicament bring about an unhampered fight or flight reaction in Gergory's family members.

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Question about being Human:

To what degree do our social relationships define us as human beings?

I could write extensively about the question on relationships existing with reciprocity in the context of human perception, denial, delusion, Plato's Allegory of the cave, et cetera, however I have elected to respond to this question as I feel my thoughts are not as developed on this subject as I would like.

Humans are an innately social species. There seems to be something inherent to us which makes us require other human beings for our existence. It is a rare and often alienated individual who is able to exist and function entirely on his own without human support. As a species of two separate genders, the human system is only "living" with respect to potential mating pairs under the scientific definition of life, "Sustained chemical systems capable of Darwinian evolution." We are a group creature which evolved in its own small tribes, much like packs of wolves or more appropriately, bands of chimpanzees. WE develop in such a way to protect ourselves and our own offspring or otherwise assist the group around us. Indeed, much of who we are, despite genetic programming, is built from neural connection made through our interactions with other people.

From a more Humanistic perspective, people tend to define themselves based on their accomplishments and approval by others. There is a delicate equilibrium, as many have noticed, between a person drawing confidence and identity from the self, and taking these things from the input of other people. Too much of the former leads to arrogance and inability to function among others, even if it permits limited self-sufficiency. The latter in abnormal amounts leads to dependency and inability to function on one's own, as often one is.

While it is generally accepted that a person much be self-driven and self confident, there is a taboo against social isolation. This taboo is inherent to human group behavior, stemming from our fear of the unknown and outsiders. However, there has been quite a history of monks finding fulfillment outside of human contact. Who is to say that these people are less than human? They may or may not have contributed something to society. The doctrine of science, the doctrine of piety, and the doctrine of whatever-you-come-up-with all have distinctly different values. Ultimately it is up to the human to decide how much relationships define him.

Metamorphosis Response 1

You have to apply your imagination to the whole probability/necessity thing, but do it anyway – does Gregor’s response to his changed physical state make sense in part I? Do the reactions of those around him?

Gregor's reaction to his state is certainly of debatable sense. On one hand, though I am not sure of the destitute and context of Gregor's situation, if the fate of his entire family is dependent on his getting to work that day and the settlement of the issue with the chief's messenger, then it is understandable that he would lose sight of rationality and the full picture in the moment and seek to make sure that all is secure for his business. It is also a very natural reaction, when placed in a new situation, particularly when in the home and none of the surroundings changed, to gravitate to habits and confine one's mind to routine for solace and security. On the other, he clearly does not contemplate his situation or analyze the reactions of those around him to realize that they are not processing what he is attempting to communicate to them.

"Making sense" is such a poorly defined thing, certainly with such an unexplored situation, but it serves as enough of a spring board to discuss Gregor's behavior. Clearly within the shock, chaos, and sheer absurdity of the situation, one can anticipate irrational and illogical behavior from any humans involved, particularly Gregor. From my observation the human urge to cling to one's established roots is greater that its ability to think rationally under pressure. According to normal human behavior, what Gregor does "makes sense." When it comes to logic considering the ultimate outcome of a situation, however, the result of Gregor's action speaks for itself as not "making sense."

As for the reactions of his family, the crazed frenzy of panic which occurs is quite natural around a creature that for all they know could have devoured Gregory. Confusion, along with fear, is often a progentiger of rash action.