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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Depending on the translation and the commentator, Gregor is variously described as an insect, a bug, a beetle, a cockroach, a louse, and a piece of vermin. Can we accurately determine what kind of creature he transforms into?

What are the pros and cons of Gregor's transformation into a bug?

Music is sometimes associated with the spiritual realm, while at other times, it is connected to the animal kingdom, appealing even to non-human species. How does music, particularly Grete's violin performance, play a role in this story?

To what extent is The Metamorphosis part of the existentialist tradition in literature, as exemplified by the works of writers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Eugene Ionesco?

What causes Gregor's death? Is it his wound, starvation, self-starvation, a broken heart, or a desire to die? Who is accountable for his demise? Is Kafka intentionally ambiguous on this matter? If so, why?

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