The Metamorphosis

**The Metamorphosis**

*The Metamorphosis* is a novella by Franz Kafka that tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who awakens one morning to find himself transformed into a large insect, often interpreted as a "monstrous vermin." The story explores themes of alienation, family duty, and the loss of identity, as Gregor gradually becomes isolated from his family and society due to his grotesque transformation. Despite his initial shock, Gregor tries to adapt to his new form, even as his family becomes increasingly repulsed and hostile toward him. His sister, Grete, initially takes care of him by bringing him food, though she eventually grows resentful and advocates for his removal. His father, who is disturbed by Gregor's presence, injures him by throwing an apple that becomes lodged in his back, causing an infection that leads to Gregor's decline and eventual death. After his death, the Samsa family feels a sense of relief, and they decide to move on with their lives, symbolized by a trip into the city at the end of the novella. *The Metamorphosis* remains one of Kafka's most famous works, renowned for its exploration of existential themes and its surreal narrative.

### Common Clues Across Questions

1. **Transformation into an insect**: Gregor Samsa awakens to find himself transformed into a "monstrous vermin," a central event in *The Metamorphosis* that sets the story's events into motion.

2. **Grete Samsa**: Gregor's sister, who initially cares for him by bringing him food and cleaning his room, but later grows resentful and suggests they get rid of him.

3. **The apple lodged in his back**: Gregor’s father throws apples at him, one of which becomes lodged in his back, causing a wound that leads to an infection and contributes to Gregor's death.

4. **Three lodgers**: The Samsa family rents a room to three boarders after Gregor's transformation to help with finances. The lodgers become disgusted and leave without paying after seeing Gregor.

5. **The framed picture of a woman in furs**: Gregor clings to a picture of a woman in furs on his wall, symbolizing his attachment to his former life and humanity.

6. **Grete's violin playing**: Gregor’s sister plays the violin for the lodgers, and her music briefly draws Gregor out of his room, only for him to frighten the lodgers away.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up

Fill in the blanks with key terms related to *The Metamorphosis*:

1. Gregor Samsa awakens to find himself transformed into a "monstrous ___1___," often depicted as a large insect or vermin.

2. Gregor’s sister ___2___ initially takes care of him, but later grows resentful and insists that the family get rid of him.

3. Grete’s violin playing briefly attracts ___3___ out of his room, but he ends up frightening the three ___4___ who are staying in the Samsa household.

4. Gregor's father throws ___5___ at him, one of which lodges in his back and causes a fatal infection.

5. Gregor is drawn to a framed picture of a woman in ___6___, symbolizing his lingering attachment to his former human identity.

6. The novella ends with the Samsa family going on an outing and noticing that ___7___ has matured, implying she might soon find a husband.

#### Answer Key for Practice

1. Vermin

2. Grete

3. Gregor

4. Lodgers

5. Apples

6. Furs

7. Grete

Here are the recurring references, clues, or plot points in questions about *The Metamorphosis* by Franz Kafka, organized by frequency:

1. **Gregor Samsa transforms into a giant insect/vermin** - 53 occurrences: The central premise of *The Metamorphosis* where the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a bug, or "monstrous vermin."

2. **Gregor’s father throwing apples at him, one lodging in his back** - 38 occurrences: A significant event where Gregor’s father attacks him by throwing apples, one of which becomes lodged in Gregor’s back, leading to an infection that contributes to his death.

3. **Grete’s violin playing and aspirations to attend the conservatory** - 35 occurrences: Gregor’s sister, Grete, plays the violin, which attracts Gregor out of his room and frightens the lodgers. Gregor had once hoped to support her music education.

4. **The family takes in lodgers/boarders who are frightened by Gregor** - 31 occurrences: The Samsa family rents out rooms to lodgers to replace Gregor's lost income. The lodgers are frightened and disgusted when they see Gregor.

5. **The picture of the woman in furs** - 24 occurrences: Gregor clings to a picture of a woman in furs on his wall, symbolizing his attachment to his former human life and desires.

6. **The chief clerk or manager visits Gregor's home because he misses work** - 20 occurrences: Gregor’s manager visits to question him about his absence from work, a source of tension at the beginning of the story.

7. **Gregor’s loss of taste for milk and preference for rotten food** - 17 occurrences: After his transformation, Gregor loses his taste for fresh food, including milk, which he once enjoyed, and begins to prefer rotting food scraps.

8. **The family’s tram or trolley ride at the end, signifying moving on** - 15 occurrences: At the end of the novella, the family goes on a tram ride to the countryside, symbolizing their relief and new beginning after Gregor’s death.

9. **The cleaning woman who finds Gregor’s corpse** - 12 occurrences: A cleaning woman finds Gregor's dead body after he starves to death, and she reports this to the family in a casual manner.

10. **Grete initially caring for Gregor but eventually rejecting him** - 10 occurrences: Grete is initially sympathetic and feeds Gregor, but as the story progresses, she grows hostile and insists that the family get rid of him.

11. **Gregor’s thoughts on supporting his family financially** - 8 occurrences: Prior to his transformation, Gregor feels responsible for supporting his family and harbors ambitions of helping Grete pursue her music education.

12. **Themes of confinement/isolation** - 7 occurrences: Gregor’s transformation leads to his physical confinement in his room and emotional isolation from his family, emphasizing themes of alienation.

13. **Debate over the meaning of “Ungeziefer” in the opening sentence** - 5 occurrences: There is scholarly debate over Kafka’s choice of the word “Ungeziefer” to describe Gregor’s transformation, as it implies something impure or unworthy rather than specifying an insect.

14. **Gregor’s father’s bank uniform** - 4 occurrences: Gregor’s father resumes work as a bank attendant, symbolizing a shift in family roles, and he often remains in his uniform at home.

15. **Grete described as stretching at the end, symbolizing growth** - 4 occurrences: Grete’s stretching on the tram at the end represents her maturation and the family’s readiness to move forward.

These clues highlight the themes of transformation, isolation, familial responsibility, and the family's shifting dynamics as they adapt to Gregor's condition. Kafka's novella uses Gregor’s transformation to explore existential and psychological tensions within family and societal expectations.