The Metamorphosis and Other Stories (Dover Thrift Editions)
Franz Kafka
Language: English
Pages: 96
ISBN: 0486290301
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Since his death in 1924, Kafka has come to be regarded as one of the greatest modern writers, one whose work brilliantly explores the anxiety, futility, and complexity of modern life. The precision and clarity of Kafka's style, its powerful symbolism, and his existential exploration of the human condition have given his work universal significance.
In addition to the title selection, considered by many critics Kafka's most perfect work, this collection includes "The Judgment," "In the Penal Colony," "A Country Doctor," and "A Report to an Academy." Stanley Appelbaum has provided excellent new English translation of the stories and a brief Note placing them within Kafka's oeuvre.
A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
Interestingly, metamorphosis was one of Escher’s favorite subjects, and three of his most famous woodcuts share this title with Kafka’s novella. Metamorphosis, Anthony Thorlby argues, is the theme implicit in all Kafka’s prose (“Kafka’s Narrative: A Matter of Form”; see “For Further Reading”). Kafka’s content is somehow incongruous with his form, and as a result, the language must either undergo a metamorphosis itself to accommodate his pen, or perish—and sometimes it does both. At its best,
good. No, Father! I will fetch the doctor and we will follow his instructions. We’ll switch rooms, you’ll take the front room and I’ll take this one. It won’t be any different for you, we’ll move all your things in there. But all in due time, just lie down in bed for a bit now, you really need to rest. Come, I’ll help you undress, you’ll see, I know how. Or would you rather go straight to the front room and lie down in my bed for now? That would be the most sensible thing.” Georg stood close to
enough. You don’t even have to mention the lack of public support, the screeching gear, the torn strap, the repulsive felt; no, I’ll take care of all that and, believe me, if my speech does not hound him from the hall, it will force him to his knees in confession: ‘Old Commandant, I bow down before you. . . . ’ That is my plan, will you help me carry it out? But of course you will, what’s more, you must.” And the officer seized the traveler by the arms and, breathing heavily, stared into his
Hermann Kafka: “Your nervous condition . . . is a means by which you exert your domination more strongly, since the thought of it necessarily chokes off the least opposition from others.” The same type of attempt at intimidation occurs in “The Judgment” (p. 62). 7 (p. 35) It was an apple: Walter Sokel argues that “The Metamorphosis” takes on a mythic dimension with the introduction of the apple, which can be seen as symbolizing the guilt of the original parents Adam and Eve, not to mention
The Nightmare of Reason: A Life of Franz Kafka. New York: Vintage Books, 1985. Wagenbach, Klaus. Franz Kafka: Pictures of a Life. Translated by Arthur S. Wensinger. New York: Pantheon Books, 1984. Criticism Benjamin, Walter. “Franz Kafka: On the Tenth Anniversary of His Death” and “Some Reflections on Kafka.” In Illuminations , edited by Hannah Arendt; translated by Harry Zohn. New York: Schocken Books, 1969, pp. 111-145. Bloom, Harold, ed. Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis.” New York: Chelsea