Worksheet Week 7
Group 1: “Erst in der Abenddämmerung erwachte Gregor…” to “…und streckte
und blähte sich.”
Describe the reality of Gregor’s new form. Is it all negative and horrific, or are
there positive experiences as an ‘Ungeziefer’?
What kind of relationship does he have with his sister? How does she behave
towards him in this scene?
Can you identify any elements of masochism and voyeurism across these pages?
What significance do they have?
Group 2: “Schon im Laufe des ersten Tages legte der Vater due ganzen
Vermögensverhältnisse….” to “denn ihm war ganz heiß vor Beschämung und
Trauer.”
Describe the family’s past as it is narrated here? What role does finance / money
play within the family? What have Gregor’s altered circumstances forced the
family to do, and how does he feel about it? How do they behave?
Can you identify scenes of voyeurism here?
Group 3: “Aber die Schwester war leider anderer Meinung;” to “Lieber würde er
Grete ins Gesicht springen.”
This scene describes a fight between Grete and Gregor. What is happening in
terms of family politics here? What role / position does the mother play? What
are the two women effectively doing to Gregor? Lastly: what is the significance of
the picture of the woman in fur?
Group 4: “Trotzdem, trotzdem, war das noch der Vater?” to “..um Schonung um
Gregors Leben bat.”
What transformation has the father undergone? What is he wearing, and what
does this say about his masculinity? What is happening between Gregor and his
father in this scene – what, or whom, are they “fighting” over? How does this
scene compare with the closing scene of section I?
Group 5: “”Weg muss es”, rief die Schwester…” to “…sein letzter Atem schwach
hervor.”
Describe how Gregor dies. Can you connect this death scene to masochism? Is
there any hint that Gregor might always have had masochistic tendencies?