Should have read classics discussion

This is the group read for April 2014! I have never read this one so it should be a new adventure. Please remember spoiler alerts if the discussion is not that far along. Thanks to everyone that voted and happy reading!

I just read The Trial two months ago and I absolutely loved it, so I'm looking forward to reading more of Kafka's work.

Ironically I had this on my must read list ...soon! Just picked it up and can't wait to start it!

Hello everyone,

I just finished reading The Metamorphosis! This story is awesome. I felt so bad for Gregor. I think he is the most selfless person I have read about. Given his situation (transforming into a huge bug) all he could think about was the disposition of others given his current state. He loved his family and I thought it was ridiculous that his family saw him as a burden. I do understand that having a huge beetle in the house is scary, uncomfortable and even disgusting, but that was their brother/son.
Do you all think his family was justified in treating him the way they did?

I'm sorry Kishma, still waiting on a copy from my library, give me a few more days and I will give you my answer.

Kathie wrote: "Ironically I had this on my must read list ...soon! Just picked it up and can't wait to start it!"

I pulled this one off of the shelf. I hadn't read it in a long time. Amazing how the family that depended on Gregor seems to be able to take care of themselves when they have to...so who were the real cockroaches? (view spoiler)[ What did you think of the sister's violin playing? (hide spoiler)]

Just starting...this has been on my To Read list for a while!

Just finished it. It was great. I felt that this was a similar situation to a nervous breakdown. Or some other mental illness. The reactions of his family would probably have been similar.

I finally started this one and must say that it has surprised me. I had no idea what this was about and even though I read the comments, it didn't click that he turns into a bug. Is this supposed to illustrate how many can change into an animal nature? Or is this showing how people can change in their attitudes toward a loved one?

Lisa wrote: "I finally started this one and must say that it has surprised me. I had no idea what this was about and even though I read the comments, it didn't click that he turns into a bug. Is this supposed..."

I think his transformation can represent many things. It's interesting that Kafka doesn't show the change from human to whatever Gregor becomes, and never explains it. "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect."

His reaction is so odd - all he thinks about is getting to work. He doesn't really question what has happened. He even seems to think he's going to catch the 7:00 train.

I think that was the surreal moment for me. If I saw tiny, little legs waving around my body, I'm pretty sure that work would leave my mind.

What about his family and their reactions? I couldn't believe they basically just wanted him gone. They seemed so relieved when he died. Poor Gregor- no one seemed to care about him.

Mo wrote: "What about his family and their reactions? I couldn't believe they basically just wanted him gone. They seemed so relieved when he died. Poor Gregor- no one seemed to care about him."

After the years spent supporting them, it seemed that they were more than capable of taking care of themselves. Maybe even resented him, if their thoughts on how they wanted to move out of the house because it had been Gregor's choice.

And that was before his metamorphosis. Their immediate reaction when Gregor couldn't come to the door that first morning, when someone from his office came, wasn't supportive.

And then they slowly just started shutting him out, rearranging their lives around the fact he was in that room.

In the end, it seemed only the charwoman was, while not exactly sympathetic, at least able to look at him and deal with the fact he was there.

It seemed to me that his family was concerned and solicitous at first, but as time passed they grew more resentful and intolerant. It does seem to reflect an attitude on the author's part that his place in the family is assured only because of his fulfilling his responsibility of providing for them.

There was also a communication gap. Even though Gregor could understand what people said, they assumed that he could not. This seems to represent true isolation. Maybe he felt isolated even before he turned into a bug.

Certainly, they were dependent on him before the metamorphosis. Yet they found a way to cope and make ends meet once they could no longer rely on him. His father even seemed more vigorous once he was working again. So, it does seem unfair that the original situation was that they depended on him -- but when he depended on them, they threw apples at him, left him in a dirty room, and didn't even attempt to communicate with him.

Interesting commentary on family dynamics. And yes, as someone pointed out, it was only the charwoman, an outsider, who made a habit of dealing with him directly.

Considering the length of this book, Kafka does a wonderful job of telling this story. I enjoyed it very much, and it really made me think.

I read this in translation in high school and in German in college. Third time's the charm for me. In my previous readings, I found it somewhat difficult to get past the absurdity of it all, despite my love of the absurd. This time around, it was much easier for me to focus on the characters and how they interact with one another, instead of focusing on how odd it would be to turn into a giant bug. I also have more of an appreciation of Kafka's prose style than I did when I was younger. Not sure I want to revisit "The Hunger Artist" though. That one is so bloody miserable it makes "The Metamorphosis" seem like a Disney story in comparison.

I just finished it! I really enjoyed reading it, I couldn't stop, it took 2 days to finish it, considering my schedule it's not a lot at all, I mean I really don't have time to read a book in 2 days, but I found time for this book, I really wanted to know what's next!!

I found this very interesting. ..although I hate bugs, I felt sorry for Gregor. I mean he was stuck on his back in bed, poor thing! And his boss and most of his family! Don't get me started on yhem! it's not my favorite, but I don't regret reading it

Mega wrote: "I found this very interesting. ..although I hate bugs, I felt sorry for Gregor. I mean he was stuck on his back in bed, poor thing! And his boss and most of his family! Don't get me started on them..."

Hi, Mega-
I know... That apple stuck in his back is still with me.
-Julie

Sorento:

it gives me the chills

Mega wrote: "I found this very interesting. ..although I hate bugs, I felt sorry for Gregor. I mean he was stuck on his back in bed, poor thing! And his boss and most of his family! Don't get me started on yhem..."

The apple was hard to think about. How could his family just ignore his obvious pain and let it rot. Just the imagery alone is powerful and it really does make you think. Definitely a book that sticks with you.

I loved this book, its a fascinating idea, How on earth do you come up with something like that!?
I thought the reaction of the family was really sad, espcially how they just left him wounded, but then its got to be pretty confusing for them. After all, how often do people just turn into cockroaches! I think alot of people in that situation would find it difficult to help him, even if like the sister they really wanted to. You'd be a bit scared!