Metamorphosis

As I was re-reading these texts for tomarrow’s essay I noticed in the beginning of Metamorphosis there is a lot of irony and foreshadowing. For instance, when Gregor refused to let the chief clerk in and questions why his sister is worried, the narrator says “Surely these were things one didn’t need to worry about for the present. Gregor was still at home and not in the least thinking of deserting the family (76).”  The passage in the texts hints at what will actually happen in the future.

Reading Argina’s post got me thinking about if Gregor lived in the present.  Initially, right after his transformation, he is not very worried, although he is in denial.  As in the quote above, when Gregor hears his family pleading with him to open the door he tries to stay calm but this quickly changes.  It says “Yet Gregor had this foresight.  The chief clerk must be detained, soothed, persuaded, and finally won over! If only his sister had been there!” Immediately before this it says how his parents had convinced themselves that Gregor was settled for life in the firm.  It seems as though Gregor’s family has been caught up in delusion for a long time, acting like kids that rely on Gregor for all of their monetary support.  However, as soon as he is transformed he also becomes stuck in his mind and delusioned with fear. It seems as though his limitations of dependency on others is the driving force that keeps him out of the present and forced into a state of fear.