illustration of a giant insect with the outline of a man in a suit standing within the confines of the insect

The Metamorphosis

by Franz Kafka

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The Metamorphosis Questions and Answers

Why is Gregor Samsa transformed in an insect in The Metamorphosis? Does he die? What would be a good thesis?

In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, why did Gregor's dad throw apples to Gregor and what is the symbolic meaning?

In The Metamorphosis, what does Gregor's father reveal about the family's financial status? What is Gregor's reaction when he learns the truth about their finances?

In The Metamorphosis, how does Gregor feel about his job and how do you know?

After Gregor's death, what does his family do?

What are some examples of imagery in The Metamorphosis?

What is the deeper meaning behind The Metamorphosis?

What is the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution for The Metamorphosis?

What type of relationship did Gregor Samsa have with his family in The Metamorphosis?

What does Gregor's transformation symbolize?

How does Gregor feel about his transformation?

What is the moral of The Metamorphosis?

What significance do the three boarders bring to The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka?

Some readers suggest that Gregor is actually insane and only believes that he has been transformed into an insect. Do you agree? Disagree?

What is the conflict, resolution, and meaning of The Metamorphosis?

How does each family member react to Gregor after his transformation in The Metamorphosis—what is different and similar about each reaction?

Why does Gregor leave his room?

Is Gregor really a bug in The Metamorphosis?

What is a good thesis statement for The Metamorphosis?

How does Gregor's mother react to seeing Gregor for the first time after his transformation in Kafka's The Metamorphosis?

In chapter 1, Kafka portrays Gregor as a dual being, both human and insect. Write a short response where you explain how the nature of duality is used to support the theme of the novel. How does Gregor's duality contribute to the meaning of the work? You must identify the meaning of the work in your response.

In The Metamorphosis, how does Kafka manipulate time to create tension?

On what page of The Metamorphosis does Gregor's father throw an apple at him?

Bring out the tragic and comic elements in The Metamorphosis.

Why is there a change in Grete and Gregor's relationship?

Describe how Gregor’s insect-like body changes from the opening of the story to the ending. How do these physical changes reflect Gregor’s evolving emotional state in The Metamorphosis?

What are the literary techniques in The Metamorphosis, and why are they used?

What are four examples of the symbolism of the cockroach or bug in Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis?

How does Gregor die?

In what ways does Franz Kafka use surrealism to achieve his objectives in The Metamorphosis?

As the story progresses in The Metamorphosis, Gregor seems to become more human, or at least more humane, than his human family. Provide evidence from the text that shows that Gregor, despite being a cockroach, is more humane than his family members as the story moves on.

Why does Gregor cling to the picture of the woman in furs on the wall?

From Gregor's point of view in The Metamorphosis, what might be some positive aspects of his metamorphosis into an insect?

What symbolic role do the three lodgers play in The Metamorphosis? What atmosphere do they evoke? How are they used by Kafka to critique contemporary society?

In The Metamorphosis, how does Kafka use humor to highlight the nightmarish qualities of the situation in which Gregor finds himself?

How does Gregor's family treat him before his metamorphosis and after?

In Kafka's The Metamorphosis, how does the family react to Gregor's death?

How does the weather enhance the tone, mood, or atmosphere at different points in The Metamorphosis?

In The Metamorphosis, what happens to Gregor when he leaves to meet the office manager, and what does this reveal about his father?

Give examples of Gregor vs nature, self and person in Kafka's The Metamorphosis.

In The Metamorphosis, do you think that Gregor's death can be seen as a sacrifice in any sense?

What is the significance of the view from Gregor’s window? Trace Gregor’s adaptation to his new body. In what ways do the satisfactions of his life as an insect differ from the satisfactions of his life as a traveling salesman?

Why does Gregor's family react in the ways that they do in The Metamorphosis? Why do they treat Gregor so badly?

What circumstances in Gregor's life might have caused him to feel dehumanized even before The Metamorphosis took place?

In what ways is the conclusion of The Metamorphosis optimistic and/or pessimistic?

What is the story's point of view, how does it best show the central conflict, and would a different perspective be as effective?

In The Metamorphosis, when Gregor’s parents first see Gregor, what do their initial reactions suggest about their attitude about their son?

Is Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis a comedy or tragedy?

What is Gregor's role in the family, why does he have so much responsibility, and how does this role change?

How does Gregor respond to his sister's violin playing, and what might this reaction imply about him?