The Metamorphosis: day five (45-58)

After Gregor's death, the family travels out to the countryside to get away from the stress and chaos that lies within their apartnment. Warm sunshine fills their car, which connotes a significant contrast from the restrictive image of the Samsa's small apartment. In addition, the family discovers that they have more money than they initially believed, and that all of their worrying for most of the novel was for nothing! Selfishly, the family implies that it was, of course, Gregor who kept them from a nicer home and living condition. Thus, the family concludes that now with Gregor deceased and removed from their lives forever, they now have better and aspiring things to look forward to. This feeling of relief affirms that the family obtains a sense of hope for the future. The last scene of the novel is an image of Grete stretching. I believe Kafka symbolizes this act as Grete's own metamorphosis: emerging after a long period of confinement, as if from a cocoon.

My Conrad Essay...

For this specific essay, I should pay attention to MLA format. I really want to continue splitting up the work next year in college. It is really helpful when Dr. Forman assigns a specific paragraph due a specific day so the class isn't stressed out the night before the essay is due! I have been using the colon in my titles this entire year, and this is another technique I want to continue in college. Throughout the writing process for this essay, my favorite part was fully investing myself in Frerud's theories on man and man's behavior. Philosophy is something that ive always been attracted to, so it was really awesome to explore that in class!

The Metamorphosis: day four (35-45)

During this part of the novel, the family begins to perceive Gregor's humanity in a different light. For example, Grete leaves milk for Gregor, remembering that milk was his favorite drink as a human. Thus, Grete assumes that although Gregor has now transformed into a bug, a little part of him remains the same. However, Grete soon realizes that Gregor does not like normal food anymore. He crawls on the walls, lounges underneath the sofa, and eats like an insect. In addition, Gregor's father does not regard Gregor as a human anymore. After his father comes home, he misunderstands his wife's screaming for Gregor attacking his wife. His father's immediate impulse is to find Gregor and beat him like a pest. However, Gregor suffers from an internal conflict. There are moments when he feels human. For example, Gregor feels relieved that his family did not spend all of the money he saved for them, but feels ashamed that he cannot financially provide for them anymore. He still feels a part of the family and yearns for them to need him again. Moreover, he covers a sentimental photograph of a woman with fur so his sister and mother won't remove it with the rest of the furniture. Gregor's humanity is fully exposed when he hovers over this prized possession. 

The Metamorphosis: day three (25-35)

Gregor's parents showed a great deal of appreciation when Gregor first started earning his salary to support the family, and Gregor felt proud to do so. However, as soon as his parents adapted to their new lifestyle of Gregor supporting the family, the parents' gratitude gradually diminished and he no longer felt the same feeling of joy in providing for them. Now, as a bug, he spends much of his time under the sofa, listening to his family converse their financial situation. Fortunately, Gregor discovers that his parents have saved some of the money he earned for them. However, he knows that that money will only last for so much time. He is ashamed when he hears his family speak of their economic issues and feels hopeless because of his father's lack of physical stability and his mother's asthma. He realizes it is very unlikely that his parents will find employment. Although Gregor and his parents have drifted apart from one another, he manages to stay close to his sister, Grete. Sadly, he had hoped and planned to pay for her to attend a music school to study the violin. 

The Metamorphosis: day two (15-25)

Money is a clear motif in the novel; it plays a major role in the Samsa family. After Gregor discovers his abrupt and traumatic transformation, he immediately worries about losing his job, one that he is not too fond of. The only reason Gregor continues to work for his boss is so he can pay off his parents' debt. Gregor is the only person in the family who works, which is bizarre and frustrating for Gregor since their debts truly affect the well-being of his family. Unfortunately, Gregor is left with the burden of being utterly responsible for paying these debts. In addition, the office manager proclaims that the chief suspects Gregor of stealing from the company, while Gregor's mother entreats the office manager, telling him what a loyal and hardworking employee Gregor is. 

Socratic Discussion HOD

I really enjoyed observing Blake, Robert, Matthew, Steven, and Tyler discuss Heart of Darkness and the essence of civilization. Although it was difficult not to participate, it was interesting to hear what they all had to say. Blake and Matthew were definitely the group leaders, but like Dr. Forman said in class, it's quality over quantity. So, although Tyler did not speak often, his ideas were well thought out and substantial. I think the majority of the group agreed that one is born good and it is civilization that deteriorates our natural good. Moreover, the group acknowledged that one must have some sort of rules or else one would live in a world with the utmost chaos. Tyler brought up a good point relating it to our lives today: imagine displacing Taft students to attend Buckley. Since we attend a private, college-prep school, we strictly follow the rules and The Buckley Commitment. Since Taft is a public school and has an extraordinary amount of students, it is more difficult to enforce rules. Another concept the group brought to my attention was whether it is unintentional or malicious, everyone judges. Judging can also be used as a mechanism to fit in! Thus, although Freud claims that one should not restrain one's instinct, it should depend on the circumstance. For example, if one has the instinct to kill, does that make it ok? Clearly, no. I'm so glad we got to explore Socratic method again this semester!

The Metamorphosis: day one (5-15)

Once Gregor first discovers that he has transformed into a giant insect, he does not appear to be troubled or concerned in any way. He regards this transformation as any normal disturbance to his sleep. Moreover, he continues to his proclaim his largely ordinary concerns: losing his job, sleeping comfortably, his family's economic situation. This maintains the novel's ridiculous tone, at least so far in the story.