The Metamorphosis Group

Question:

leboutte
leboutte
Student
Graduate School

How does Kafka use imagery in "The Metamorphosis"?

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Posted by leboutte on Sunday April 26, 2009 at 10:31 PM and tagged with imagery, kafka, the metamorphosis.

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  1. morrol
    morrol Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    One way that Kafka uses imagery in "The Metamorphosis" is by creating a disgust on the part of the reader. The opening lines of the novella describe the flailing legs and the great hump on the back of the beast that Gregor has become. The grotesqueness of this image causes a reaction on the part of the reader. This aversion separates the reader from the character and allows him or her to watch Gregor's struggle as an outside observer. Kafka's imagery both adds and removes reality from his words. Imagery makes the story understandable, but at the same time unbelievable.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/metamorphosis/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/metamorphosis/essays-criticism
    http://www.enotes.com/metamorphosis/themes

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    Posted by morrol on Monday April 27, 2009 at 2:58 PM