Short Fiction: A Study of Genre

Lesson 2
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ELA

Unit 4

11th Grade

Lesson 2 of 15

Objective


Analyze how Kafka develops the conflict between Gregor and the other characters.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka  pp. 11 – 18

  • Article: “Franz Kafka” 

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

It can be reasonably inferred that the chief clerk thinks Gregor is trying to “make fools of us” (p. 14) because

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Sample Response

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The primary impression of the chief clerk created by the narrator’s description on p. 16 is that he is

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

Using your definition of what makes us human from lesson one and information from the story so far, answer the following question: Is Gregor human? Explain.

Key Questions


  • What in Kafka’s biography suggests that he might be interested in writing about how isolation or alienation impacts humans? How did the time period in which Kafka lived help shape his writing style? His life experience?
  • In what ways was Gregor already isolated prior to his transformation? In what ways is he further isolated from fellow humans by his current situation? Track evidence throughout the chapter.
  • How do Gregor’s questions about his sister on p. 12 help to characterize her? How else is she characterized?
  • What is the chief clerk’s tone toward Gregor on pp. 12 and 13? Why?
  • What is Gregor’s motivation for opening the door to his room according to pp. 12–14?
  • According to the narrator, what causes Gregor to feel less isolated on p. 14?
  • Compare how Gregor think his parents and the chief clerk will respond when they see him to their actual reactions on p. 15. Track the diction used to describe their initial reactions.
  • What is the main idea of what Gregor thinks he is saying to the chief clerk on pp. 15–16? Describe the misunderstanding between Gregor and the clerk that develops here.
  • Track Gregor’s parents’ reactions to Gregor on pp. 17–18. How do these reactions develop the conflict? The characters?
  • How are Gregor’s intentions different from how the other characters are interpreting them? Explain. 
  • What does Gregor’s father do on p. 18? Why? What is the impact on Gregor? What does this communicate about their relationship?
  • Based on what you have read so far, is Gregor still human? 

Notes


Days 2–4 involve reading much longer chunks of text than Day 1. The teacher should consider how to realistically pace the reading by dividing it between class and homework.

Next

Analyze the impact of Gregor’s transformation on himself and his family members.

Lesson 3
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