Insect - The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

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The metamorphosis by franz kafka
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Movie trailer inspired by the novel The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka(Disclaimer: disturbing bug habits are shown and plot spoilers are alluded to.) The slide show above features three main species that skeptics have guessed is Gregor, however, no one knows for sure what type of bug Kafka intended or if he even intended one at all.1- Wood louse2- Cockroach3- BeetleFollowing the assumption mentioned in the movie trailer, Gregor would be a wood louse.Woodlouse InformationScientific name: OniscideaCommon woodlouse: Oniscus asellusThe woodlouse is not however an insect but technically a crustacean. It is not known to what extent Kafka knew of insects. Its defense mechanism allows it to curl up into a ball in order to protect from danger. The woodlouse is often found in dark and damp places.The body of a woodlouse is divided into; a head, thorax, and abdomen. The average woodlouse is about 1 cm long and is grey or brown. The average lifespan goes anywhere from one second to four years. Woodlice enjoy consuming dead decay and prefers to spend most of its time alone. The ideal place for a woodlouse is under a rock, in the dark away from everything/everyone else. When a woodlouse decides to escape its life from under a rock, they are looking to mate. This process involves the male searching for a compatible wood louse at night time. Once the male finds his soulmate, he makes the move by climbing on her back and licks her head. He then transfers sperm into both her genital openings. The female gives birth by pouches of eggs that she carries for a few months before it hatches. What Species of Insect is the main character Gregor Samsa?Although the exact labeling of what type of insect Gregor is is never mentioned in the novel, multiple descriptions are scattered throughout the chapters. In the Metamorphosis movie trailer, Gregor is called a wood louse but Kafka never explicitly states the type of bug Gregor is. Considering The Metamorphosis was originally written in German, there is a language barrier and therefore possible translation issues. Hints:"He was lying on his back as hard as armor plate, and when he lifted his head a little, he saw his vaulted brown belly, sectioned by arch-shaped ribs, to whose dome the cover, about to slide off completely, could barely cling. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, were waving helplessly before his eyes."This quote is taken directly from the very first paragraph in The Metamorphosis. As discussed in class, one advantage to being a bug is the small size so when Gregor transforms into a large bug and flops over, he is at a disadvantage and has trouble controlling himself.Insect and SocietyKafka used many negative and gruesome connotations to describe the state of Gregor as an insect. This can be argued to be a reflection of how he views himself. He often described feeling helpless in his bug state (such as in the quote above) which showed he was unsure of his place and purpose in the world, as many people are. When he first becomes a bug, he calmly continues his daily routines until he learns he needs to adapt. This is common in society when a significant life change occurs, it is common to not be calm about it and then eventually adapt to the different lifestyle.It can often be difficult to follow the societal norms thus leaving us feeling as minuscule and unimportant as an insect. Bugs are on the low side of the food chain, which shows their less than important hierarchy standing. To be compared to a bug is more often viewed as an insult rather than a compliment, despite all of the advantages of being a bug.
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