Formal Interpretation of a Passage

This following paragraph is an interpretation of a passage from The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (pg 77-78). 

Before:

Throughout this passage Kafka uses very distinguished and diplomatic language to portray Gregor’s thoughts and emotions. Through this diplomatic and optimistic language, the reader can get a sense of the kind of person Gregor is. Although he notices the sings of injustice in this family, he chooses to ignore them and take them in his stride. He notices that he is not appreciated, but instead of making a big scene and discussing how he is not appreciated, he merely mentions it with a false nonchalance, using diplomatic adjectives and verbs. This diplomatic language seems to portray Gregor’s attempt at synthesized happiness. Since the reader gets all their information from Gregor’s point of view, their view of the situation is obstructed by this obscure language. Due to the fact that this narrative is from Gregor’s point of view, and there is no need to be diplomatic in one’s own mind, it portrays an aspect of Gregor’s personality. It demonstrates how he is relatively submissive, and does not stand up for what he wants, which is an important aspect of this story’s progression.


After:

Gregor desperately tries to impress his family, and strides to remain indifferent when he does not receive the appreciation he wants. Although he speaks of his issues very diplomatically, his language portrays the underlying frustration he feels for his family.  By using this diplomatic language, Kafka portrays Gregor’s submissive nature, an important aspect in this story.

“He had been of the opinion that nothing at all was left over from his fathers business, at least his father had never said anything to the contrary, and of course he had not asked him directly. At that time Gregor’s sole desire was to do his utmost to help the family to forget as soon as possible the catastrophe that had overwhelmed the business and thrown them all into a state of complete despair.”

The language used here portrays Gregor’s compliance. The variation between the language used and the underlying message itself shows this submission.  When discussing their financial matters, he says, “of course he had not asked him directly”. This holds some irony, for the father is treated as the patriarch when in fact it is Gregor who is bringing home the money. Although he makes no complaints, he proceeds to discuss how it was his “soul desire” to save his family from this “despair”, which turned out to be not as severe as he had thought. He said had worked with “unusual ardor” to save his family from poverty, even though their situation was not that bad. In this language, Gregor seems to be justifying his actions, and convincing himself otherwise of the injustice in his father’s stealth when dealing with the family’s (more like Gregor’s) money. Such avidity shows how Gregor is extremely willing to please, especially to gain the “sense of glory” from his family. Moreover, he continues to explain his disappointments in the same diplomatic tone of voice, almost holding a tinge of bitterness. Although his hard earn money was “gratefully accepted” and “gladly given”, he does not cease to mention the lack of that “special outpouring of warm feeling”. In this, the reader can get a sense of Gregor’s disappointment, which he is unwilling to voice. His meekness is again portrayed when talking about his sister. He speaks very passionately about sending her to the Conservatory, however he still feels it is “merely” a dream, for his parents shot down “even these innocent references to it”. Although he had made up his mind to tell his parents, he planned to speak to them about it with “due solemnity” rather than tough persistence. This diplomatic language portrays the distinction between what Gregor says and what he really wants to say. He has his own opinions, he is just afraid to voice them.  Gregor’s compliant nature is a key aspect of this story, for his obedience takes him to the point of being a sacrificial martyr.