Pre-Flight for
"The Metamorphosis"

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Hello Dreamers,

There are a number of things to think about while you are reading a story. On any first reading I think it's a good idea just to read the story, that is, you don't have to consider the history of the story, who wrote it or what other people think about it. Just read it. Enjoy it. Suspend your disbelief to get into the story as much as possible. I don't like to read introductions to stories until after I've read the story because I don't want to be influenced about its meaning or whether or not it's a good story until I've read it myself and had a chance to decide.

There are many theories about how to interpret a story, but I'll just give you two things to think about.

Some critics believe that the only way to know the real meaning of a story is to know everything you can about the author. Since all authors are writing from their own life experience it is necessary, they say, to know that experience to fully understand the story or novel or play or poem.

Another theory, however, says that stories stand on their own, that it is not necessary to know about the author, that, in fact, knowing about the author might even hinder your understanding. The idea is that the story has a life of its own, that the author, though he or she may think differently, is never really in control of the story. Some authors even talk this way about their own work.

"The Metamorphosis" is a great story, but I'll refrain from telling you anything else about it until you've read it. In the Wrap-Up I'll discuss Franz Kafka's life and some of the different interpretations of this very well-known tale.

Regards,

Mr. Draeger

©2005-2012 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
Millstone Education: World Literature / http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit