The Metamorphosis Part 1 Review

Part I Summary

 Gregor Samsa, a former traveling salesman, wakes up one morning having changed into a giant bug. The change is never explained and remains a mystery. Gregor has a bizarre reaction to the situation – rather than worrying about how his body has changed, he worries about work and thinks about how much he hates his job. He would quit his job if not for the fact that his parents, in debt, depend on him financially. Gregor’s family then, worried about Gregor being late, come to his door to wake him up and remind him of his train ride. His Chief Clerk (boss at work) then comes to the house to lecture Gregor about being late and complain about his poor work performance. Gregor tries to explain himself, but his voice sounds bizarre to the others. The family seek out a locksmith to free him from the room and a doctor. Gregor is finally able to get the door open, using his mouth to turn the knob. His family is shocked by the sight of him and his mother even passes out. The office manager backs out of the family home. Gregor tries to pursue him, but Gregor’s father grabs a newspaper and the Chief Clerk’s cane and drives Gregor back into his bedroom. Gregor becomes stuck in a doorway due to his size, but his father brutishly shoves him through the doorway and injures Gregor in the process

Vocabulary

• explicit (adj.): clearly stated or expressed

• abstract (adj.): apart from physical existence; theoretical rather than concrete

• infer (v.):to deduce from evidence or reason

• vermin (n.): creatures that are considered destructive, annoying, or repulsive; pests

• subordinate (n.):a person of a lesser rank, or under another's authority

• plaintively (adv.): sadly or wistfully

• enunciate (v): to articulate or pronounce clearly

Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"

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Gregor's Room

Multiple Choice

When Gregor Samsa realizes that he has been transformed into an insect, his initial reaction is to

• ask his family for help.

  call for a doctor.

  scream in horror

  try to go back to sleep.

• call for a doctor.

• scream in horror

• try to go back to sleep.

Multiple Choice

What worries Gregor the most about his transformation?

• It will change his life forever

• His appearance will frighten his family

• He will have trouble moving his legs

• It will cause him to be late for work.

Multiple Choice

Gregor dislikes his job and his boss, but he cannot change jobs because

• his parents owe a lot of money to his boss.

• there are no other jobs available

• he is too afraid to speak about how he feels

• he is saving money to get married.

Multiple Choice

As Gregor lies in bed, he thinks about how his imaginary pains “had always turned out to be pure imagination . . . and he wondered how his imaginings would slowly resolve themselves today” (lines 121–123). From this detail, readers can infer that Gregor

• knows he is just having a bad dream.

• is in denial about his situation.

• has decided to take bold action.

• often imagines that he is an insect

Multiple Choice

The chief clerk from Gregor’s office comes to the house

• because he is worried about Gregor's health

• to give Gregor a ride to work, since he missed his train.

• to help Gregor’s parents open the bedroom door.

• to threaten Gregor with firing for missing work.

Multiple Select

To create a melancholy mood, the author includes (select TWO)

• dreary weather

• sunshine early in the morning

• raindrops falling on a metal ledge

• bright colors

Multiple Choice

From which narrative point-of-view is the story told?

• First person (Gregor's p.o.v.)

• Second Person (You! You the reader are the character)

• Third person limited (from another character's p.o.v.)

• Third person omniscient (from an all knowing perspective)

Multiple Choice

When describing the kitchen, that author include description a picture of Gregor in military uniform.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Based on how Gregor’s parents and the chief clerk react when they see Gregor, readers can infer that

• Gregor actually has changed into an insect.

• Gregor has been dreaming the whole time.

  everyone is relieved that

• Gregor is not ill.

• they are angry with Gregor for wasting their time.

Graphic Novella

Kuper's "Metamorphosis"

Multiple Choice

Why does Gregor think, "Oh, Lord! / What an exhausting job I've chosen . . .," after the eight panels that show him trying to turn on his side?

• He has slept some more and is now able to think about his work.

• His transformation to insect form makes him forget his job.

• He is thinking clearly about his predicament and his job.

• His futile struggle to get comfortable reminds him of his tiring job.

Multiple Choice

What is one conclusion that can be drawn about Gregor's plan to "get up, get dressed, and most important, have a good breakfast"?

• Gregor’s plan shows that he is thinking clearly.

• His plan is futile because he cannot even get up.

• His plan takes into account what has happened to his body.

• Gregor is making good progress toward carrying out his plan.

​Feelings Evoked?

Kuper's Last Panel

Multiple Choice

In the last panel, when his parents and the clerk finally see Gregor, the expressions on their faces can best be described as

• shocked

• angry

• sad

• excited

Multiple Choice

Which THEMATIC TOPIC best fits Part I of The Metamorphosis?

• Anger

• Change

• Fear

• Loss

Change!

Change as a Theme in Part 1

Although there are many themes in The Metamorphosis, we see a lot of change taking place in Gregor's life in Part 1. In fact, the very word metamorphosis mean to change or transform. How could we take the thematic topic of change and write it into a thematic statement?