Discussion Questions for
"The Metamorphosis"
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Why does Gregor have "uneasy dreams"?
What do we learn about Gregor from the picture he has hung on his wall?
Why is it the weather and NOT his metamorphosis that makes Gregor "melencholy"?
Do you think Gregor's metamorphosis was self-imposed? Why or why not?
Given Gregor's present condition why is he still thinking about going to work?
Why does Gregor dislike his job so much? Why does he continue to do it?
While Gregor is still on his back the text says he "saw no way of bringing any calm and order into this senseless confusion, he told himself again that it was impossible to stay in bed and that the most sensible course was to risk everything for the smallest hope of getting away from it." What do think this passage might represent beyond what is literally happening in the story?
Why does Gregor think that "cool reflection" is better than "desperate resolves"?
How does the language of the story set the tone?
What does Gregor mean when he thinks, "What a fate, to be condemned to work for a firm where the smallest omission at once gave rise to the gravest suspicion!"?
Why do you think Gregor never goes out in the evening?
What does Gregor's boss mean when he says, "we men of business . . . very often simply have to ignore any slight indispostions, since business must be attended to"? Is this true? Why or why not?
Why do you think Gregor reacts so strongly when the chief clerk says that Gregor's work has been unsatisfactory?
Why does Gregor feel better when he believes that the others are going to help him?
Why does Gregor think that his whole future depends on not letting the chief clerk get away?
How would you describe Gregor's father? mother? sister?
How does Gregor's metamorphosis affect the rest of the family?
Why does Grete like taking care of Gregor in the beginning?
Why does the family decide to hide what has happened instead of trying to get help?
Why had Gregor been taking care of his family financially? Do think they appreciated what he had done for them? Why or why not?
As time goes on, how does Grete's treatment of Gregor change? Why does this happen?
Is it Gregor's fault that he has become a giant insect? Why or why not?
Why does Gregor think that he must keep the writing desk?
Why does Gregor protect the picture on the wall?
Why does Gregor feel more comfortable under the sofa?
Do the rest of Gregor's family experience a metamorphosis as the story progresses? Why or why not?
Do you think it is significant that Gregor's father throws apples at him? Why or why not?
Is if significant that Gregor's injury is caused by his father? Why or why not?
Why is Grete angry that her mother cleaned Gregor's room?
Why is the charwoman not afraid of Gregor?
Of Gregor the text says, "his indifference to everyting was much too great for him to turn on his back and scrape himself clean on the carpet." Why has his indifference grown to this level?
Why does the family believe they must get rid of Gregor?
Why do they begin referring to him as "it"?
At the end of the story why does Gregor still think of "his family with tenderness of love" even after he hears that they want to get rid of him?
Do you think Gregor has really been transformed into a huge insect or has he just imagined it?
What kind of insect do you think Gregor has turned into?
©2005-2010 Glen Draeger (all rights reserved)
Millstone Education: World Literature / http://www.millstoneeducation.com/worldLit |
