Реферат: The Metamorphosis Essay Research Paper The MetamorphosisKafka

there meaning to bite her” (p. 30). Against her mounting insensitivity is

Gregor’s poignant selflessness (Nabokov 270). In a marvelous display of feeling

and compassion for his sister and her feelings, he expends four hours of labor

to carry a sheet on his back to the couch to hide himself from her sight, thus

sparing her the disgust of looking at him.

As Grete’s behavior begins to change, Grete begins to slide closer and

closer to his demise. At the end of Part II, Gregor’s father has completed his

rise to power. Initially weak and enfeebled, the father is now “standing there

in fine shape; dressed in a smart blue uniform with gold buttons, such as bank

messengers wear; his strong double chin bulged over the stiff high collar of his

jacket…his onetime tangled white hair had become combed flat on either side of

a shining and carefully exact parting” (p. 38). It is at this point that the

father begins to pelt Gregor with small red apples, one of them embedding in his

flesh at great pain: “Gregor wanted to drag himself forward, as if this

startling incredible pain could be left behind him” (p. 39). Of course, Gregor

finds he cannot leave the pain behind him, and begins his slide towards death.

Gregor’s reaction to the violin playing episode is the climax and symbol

of Grete’s metamorphosis and Gregor’s demise (Lawson 33). The boarders are

extremely interested in hearing her play an impromptu recital. She begins to

play the violin, and Gregor, his transformation into beetlehood nearly complete,

finds himself drawn to the music, putting aside any human feelings of

consideration for others: “He felt as if the way were opening before him to the

unknown nourishment he craved…He felt hardly any surprise at his growing lack

of consideration of others” (p. 48). So inconsiderate and oblivious is he to

others, that he begins a dangerous trek towards the living room: “And in spite

of his condition, no shame deterred him from advancing a little over the

spotless floor of the living room” (p. 49). Initially, nobody is aware of him,

but soon the middle lodger sees him and becomes inflamed. He announces to Grete

and the mother ? spitting on the floor no less ? that he can no longer live