The Metamorphosis

Novel | Franz Kafka
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The Metamorphosis Brief Questions

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The Metamorphosis    

  • Who was Franz Kafka?
Ans: Franz Kafka was a German-speaking author from Prague.
  • How was Gregor's relationship with his father?
Ans: Gregor's relationship with his father was strained and distant.
  • How was Gregor treated by his mother?
Ans: Gregor's mother treated him with pity, thinking his condition was temporary.
  • How would we explain Gregor's metamorphosis?
Ans: Gregor’s transformation symbolizes his internal struggles and conflict.
  • What was the root cause of Gregor's 'uneasy dream'?
Ans: Gregor’s uneasy dream might stem from his deep internal conflict and self-alienation.
  • How does Gregor’s father react to his metamorphosis?
Ans: Gregor’s father accepts the change as inevitable and responds with aggression.
  • How does the maid treat Gregor?
Ans: The maid treats Gregor as if he is a pest or nuisance.
  • How do the three lodgers react to the sight of Gregor?
Ans: The l
odgers are more curious than horrified by Gregor's appearance.
  • What frustrated Gregor most as a traveling salesman?
Ans: Gregor felt trapped in a monotonous and soul-crushing job.
  • What is Gregor's 'innermost self'?
Ans: Gregor’s true self is symbolized by his insect form, showing his alienation.
  • How does this delusion turn into a reality for Gregor?
Ans: Gregor’s imagined delusion of being an insect becomes his terrifying new reality.
  • Where does the story get its title from?
Ans: The title refers to Gregor's transformation and his family's change, especially Grete’s.
  • What is the outcome of Gregor's death?
Ans: After Gregor’s death, his family begins to prosper and move forward.
  • Who plays the most important role in Gregor's life?
Ans: Grete is the most important person in Gregor’s life, as she is his closest connection.
  • When did Gregor begin to deteriorate?
Ans: Gregor began to deteriorate when Grete stopped caring for him.
  • How can one's nature be deformed?
Ans: Degradation and mistreatment can lead to the deformation of one's true nature.
  • What do the lodgers insist upon Gregor’s parents?
Ans: The lodgers demand that Gregor’s parents get rid of him.
  • What has Gregor believed to be his only duty?
Ans: Gregor believes his duty is to financially support his family.
  • What is the pretence of Gregor's father?
Ans: Gregor’s father pretends to have more wealth than he does and hides his illness.
  • How does Gregor's 'uneasy dream' finally rupture?
Ans: Gregor’s dream turns into reality when he transforms into a giant insect.
  • When do the Samsas arrive at the threshold of a bright future?
Ans: The Samsas begin their new life after Gregor’s death when they are freed from his burden. 
  • What lesson does Gregor’s tragedy leave behind?
Ans: Gregor's death reveals the hypocrisy in his family and their selfishness.
  • What is central to the story, The Metamorphosis?
Ans: The central theme is Gregor’s loss of identity and the conflict between his true self and his family.
  • When does Gregor respond to the music?
Ans: Gregor responds to music when he is not just a salesman but an insect, showing his emotional side. 
  • What is Gregor's precondition of yearning for music?
Ans: Gregor’s animalistic nature makes him long for music, symbolizing his lost humanity.
  • How does Gregor feel when he is ignored?
Ans: Gregor, as an insect, feels deeply hurt and neglected when ignored.
  • Why has Gregor lost his identity?
Ans: Gregor loses his identity due to his transformation, which alienates him from his family.
  • What does Gregor fail to do as an insect?
Ans: Gregor fails to communicate with his family despite his best efforts.
  • What permits Gregor to die in peace?
Ans: Grete’s music helps Gregor die peacefully, thinking fondly of his family.
  • What terrible insight does The Metamorphosis convey?
Ans: The story shows that relationships are often based on falsehoods and misunderstandings.
  • What do Gregor’s parents fail to understand?
Ans: Gregor’s parents fail to understand his emotional and physical struggles.
  • What influences Gregor’s parents to dispose of him?
Ans: The parents are influenced by the lodgers, who want the insect removed.
  • Why do the lodgers care so much about Gregor's family?
Ans: The lodgers care only because they pay rent, which gives them a sense of power.
  • How did Gregor’s family exploit him?
Ans: Gregor’s family grew accustomed to his sacrifices and took him for granted.
  • What did the new maid call Gregor?
Ans: The new maid called Gregor “a dung beetle.”
  • What is the important aspect The Metamorphosis focuses on?
Ans: The story highlights Gregor's alienation and how his family’s hypocrisy is revealed.
  • How are Gregor's gradual degradation and disappearance supplemented?
Ans: Gregor’s decline is contrasted with Grete's social progress and independence.
  • What does the lady in the muff signify?
Ans: The lady in the muff symbolizes Gregor’s last connection to his family and to women.
  • How does Gregor think of his family?
Ans: Gregor still thinks of his family with deep emotion and love, despite his condition.
  • Where lies the real tragedy of Gregor?
Ans: The real tragedy is that Gregor’s family, whom he loved, discarded him as a pest.
  • What are the two things Gregor alternates between?
Ans: Gregor alternates between hope to return to normal and anger at his family’s neglect.
  • Who discovered Gregor's body?
Ans: Gregor’s body was discovered by the charwoman the morning after his death.
  • Why did the roomers leave?
Ans: The roomers left because Mr. Samsa frightened them with his aggressive behavior.
  • What attracted Mr. and Mrs. Samsa's attention?
Ans: Mr. and Mrs. Samsa noticed that Grete had grown into a young woman ready for marriage.
  • What did Gregor do for a living before his transformation?
Ans: Gregor worked as a traveling salesman before his transformation.
  • What does the monstrous insect symbolize in The Metamorphosis?
Ans: The insect symbolizes Gregor’s alienation and his true, suppressed identity.
  • What does Gregor refuse to let anyone take away?
Ans: Gregor refuses to let anyone take away the picture of the woman in fur on his wall.
  • What did Gregor’s father do for a living after Gregor’s transformation?
Ans: After Gregor’s transformation, his father worked as a bank attendant.
  • Why does Gregor fail to communicate?
Ans: Gregor’s words are no longer understandable due to his transformation.
  • How did Gregor die?
Ans: Gregor died from exhaustion and despair after realizing his family wanted to rid themselves of him.
  • What was Kafka by profession?
Ans: Kafka was a lawyer working at an insurance company.
  • What was Gregor’s job?
Ans: Gregor was a traveling salesman before his transformation.
  • What is meant by 'Prague Circle'?
Ans: The Prague Circle was a group of German-speaking Jewish writers.
  • What is Gregor's surname in The Metamorphosis?
Ans: Gregor's surname is Samsa.
  • How was Gregor wounded?
Ans: Gregor was wounded when his father threw apples at him.

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Franz Kafka
Literary Writer
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from The Metamorphosis