AP ENG 12-Metamorphosis Unit Plan and Study Guide
Schedule:
Mon: Read Ch. 1 and “Metamorphosis Overview”
Tues: Read Ch. 2 and “Character Analysis of Gregor”
Wed: Read Ch. 3 and “Themes of Claustrophobia and Guilt”
Thurs: Read “The Existential Framework of The Metamorphosis”, Complete Theme Writing Activity
Friday: Metamorphosis Essay In Class
Chapter 1
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Discuss the meaning of isolation and being outcast.
Discuss what human conditions/situations may lead to isolation in contemporary society, even within the
microcosm of the school.
Discuss why Kafka chose to have Gregor change into a dung beetle. Evaluate what has affected Gregor so
negatively.
Metaphorically, what does it mean to be a "bug"? Provide several examples.
Describe Gregor's room. What is the picture hanging on the wall?
Describe Gregor's own attitude and his reaction to his new predicament.
Describe what life was like for Gregor before his metamorphosis, at home and on job.
Describe everyone's reaction as they see Gregor come out of his room.
In what ways do you think Gregor was like a "bug" even before his metamorphosis?
Chapter 2
Describe how and what Gregor eats.
What is his family situation like?
How does Gregor's sister treat him differently from the way he is treated by his parents?
How does Gregor entertain himself?
Why doesn't Gregor want his furniture moved out?
What kind of changes does Gregor notice in his father?
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Discuss: As the story progresses, Gregor’s family responds in a way which surprises us. We expect kindness and
maybe curiosity, but not fear and hatred. Look at the family as a catalyst for his change and his continual loss of
human memory and instinct. This evaluation covers character motivation. Look at the motivations of each family
member.
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Gregor’s father is especially violent towards him and inflicts a terrible physical injury. What may this symbolize?
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Discuss how the starvation could also be symbolic.
Chapter 3
How does Gregor's family try to make life seem "normal" for themselves?
What prevents the family from moving to a smaller apartment?
How do they try to manage financially?
How has Gregor's attitude toward his family changed?
How has Grete's treatment of Gregor changed? Give some examples.
What changes take place in Gregor's room?
What is Gregor's attitude toward the roomers? Why?
Describe Gregor's reaction as he hears his sister play the violin.
Why do the roomers threaten to leave?
Describe the scene of Gregor's death.
Describe how each family member reacts when they hear that Gregor is dead.
How do they celebrate Gregor's death?
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Discuss Kafka’s choice of death and support your point of view with reasons from the text. Why did Kafka
choose the ending we have? How would the effect of the story differ if Gregor lived happily ever after?
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Who do you think is responsible for Gregor's fate? To what extent do you think he is responsible?
Writing: What Existential themes are expressed in the story? Use the list below to identify at least three themes
and come up with examples from the text to support your ideas.
10 Themes of Existentialism
Absurdity: For the existentialists, life is absurd; it makes no sense and has no meaning or ultimate purpose, but human
beings need it to make sense, to have meaning and purpose.
Rejection of meaning-giving narratives: It isn’t enough to say that life is absurd; the existentialists repeatedly make the
point that when philosophy, religion, or science tries to make sense of it, the attempts always fail.
Alienation: This is the feeling that you’re a stranger in your own life, a stranger in the world.
Anxiety: This is the feeling of unease you get when you start to recognize that life is absurd.
Forlornness: This is the feeling of loneliness you get when you realize that no one can help you make sense of your
existence.
Responsibility: Everyone bears responsibility. If no one is going to give you a guidebook to life, you have to bear
responsibility for making your way through it and creating some kind of meaning for it.
Authenticity: People want authenticity — to live in a way that’s in tune with the truth of who they are as human beings
and the world
they live in.
Individuality: An important part of developing an authentic and satisfying life is individuality. Reason, science, and
systems that try to cover up the absurdity of life often take individuality from you.
Passion/engagement: Being passionate or engaged is another important aspect of living an authentic life, and it’s under
attack from the same forces that take away your individuality.
Death: This is the ultimate context for all human actions and an important source of the absurdity of life.