Clockwork Orange and Metamorphosis

In comparing Clockwork Orange and Metamorphosis, there are clear differences between the way the styles in both books. Firstly, the styles completely contrast each other; in Clockwork Orange, there is continuous repetition of slang language and elongated paragraphs, while in Metamorphosis there is much simpler and more direct language used in short, distinct paragraphs. In Clockwork Orange, the purpose of this style is to directly attach the reader with the lives of the street gang and put the reader in a position where they feel connected to the lives of each character. For example, an effective tactic employed by the gang members is the way in that they initially seem polite and thoughtful, but really are about to victimize society. This was effectively employed in the second chapter of the novel where the member said, "Pardon, madam, so sorry to disturbe you." (27) In Metamorphosis, the language appears to be simpler in large part because of Gregor's transformation into a bug; as Gregor ages, his thoughts become extremely simplified. This was directly illustrated towards the ending of the story where Gregor has a unrestrained urge to lift himself towards Grete and "kiss her throat." (44) This language conveys Gregor's transformation as even though Gregor may not feel sexually attached to his sister, Grete has ultimately become the only person who tried to protect him in his bug state. Lastly, Clockwork Orange is written for a mature, young adult audience that is capable of understanding the continuous slang portrayed throughout the story. On the other hand, Metamorphosis represents a story that honestly many people can read, whether in high school or much later in their lives.

Darwin and Genesis

While both Darwin and Genesis confront the conflict regarding how humanity was created, both take drastically different paths in explaining the phenomenon. In Genesis, there is a very simplistic form of writing; moreover, there is evident repetition of G-d first saying what he wants, and then liking what he has created. It appears that Genesis illustrates a much more simple process on how the world was created when compared to that of Darwin. However, while there is a succinct structure to Genesis, there are also some key words that hold a deep meaning. The repetition of vault, for example, may signify that G-d has the key to the universe and can change the structure of it if he does not like what he has created. However, after creating all the beauty of the stars, sky, creatures, and even a sense of equality it is particularly strange when G-d orders mankind to rule over everything he has created. Darwin's work is fundamentally different to Genesis, especially in the time period that Darwin had written it; Darwin was extremely nervous to release it as he expected an enormous uproar form society in his questioning of religion. In the end of "Origin of Species", Darwin rather than explicitly stating what he believes in often has to defend himself from the opinions of society. In regarding his theory of evolution, it is clear however that Darwin does not believe in an omniscient being as the result of the creation of mankind. Rather, Darwin is fascinated by people evolving everyday from the parent before them. Darwin argues that we have to "contemplate every complex structure and instinct as the summing up of many contrivances, each useful to the possessor" and then we will be able to understand creation.

Short In-Class Writing on Kafka Passage

In this passage, it is evident that there are different attitudes expressed toward each family member. In analyzing Gregor's father, the use of sluggish effectively dehumanizes the father and directly relates the father to Gregor's new form as a vermon. Moreover, while the narrator does acknowledge that Gregor's father did work hard, he was largely unsuccessful and over the past five years has become increasingly fat, lazy, and unmotivated. The narrator offers more sympathy towards the mother as she really should not be expected to work, especially with her current suffering from asthma. Thus, the narrator expresses some pity towards the mother while directly illustrating the faults of the father. Lastly, the daughter has a specifically unique situation. Even though she is not a really young child at seventeen years of age, the narrator describes the daughter working as "a pity to deprive of the life she had led until now." As the narrator describes, for the sister it would be a drastic transformation from being generally free as a child to now having to take a vastly important role in the family.

Metamorphosis Picture Book

After reading Metamorphosis as a novel, it was really interesting to read it through images. I was not only able to read it extremely quickly, but I really enjoyed visually being able to see how the characters felt about the situation. Moreover, initially I was interested in how big Gregor really was, but being able to see the images allowed me to understand the situation in much greater detail.

Bug or Human or Both?

Although Gregor experienced a somewhat supernatural transformation by initially being a human and then changing into a vermon, it was evident that throughout the novel Gregor still was able to think and feel emotion like a human. Kafka effectively depicts Gregor's emotion and sentiment towards his sister, Greta, "And yet his sister was playing so beautifully...Was he an animal that music so captivated him?" (45) However, while Kafka conveys the idea that Gregor is so attracted to the music because of his transformation into a vermon, ultimately it is the human emotion that Gregor has for his sister that makes him feel so attached to the music. Thus, although Gregor has the appearance of a vermon, even towards the end of the novel he still is able to feel those same humanistic emotions and feelings. Kafka illustrates Gregor's admiration for his sister when he writes, "His sister should not be compelled but would remain with him voluntarily... his sister would break out in tears of emotion, and Gregor would lift himself up to her armpit and kiss her throat..." (45). Through this scene, Kafka effectively portrays Gregor's inward outward self with Freud's model of the id. While it does appear that Gregor's fantasicization of his sister may be a more sexual impulse, ultimately Gregor's attachment towards his sister is a result of his loneliness and isolation. Gregor is not subsequently releasing his id but rather he is trying to show the emotion that he is feeling to his sister; after being so accustomed to helping the family financially, ultimately Gregor has become a monster in his family's eyes and desires the responsibility that he recently had. Gregor's unfortunate transformation into a bug goes beyond the release of his id; rather, Gregor's inward ourward self is a depiction of what we all have to face in our normal lives. For Gregor specifically, his appearance significantly affected the way his family thought about him, but still because of his unselfish inner nature, he did not question the metamophosis that he had experienced.