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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the familial object that Gregor attempts to hold onto in his room?

2. Who wonders if there is still some remnant in Gregor left in the beetle?

3. Why might Gregor not be reacting to his newly transformed body?

4. How does Gregor's ironic attempt to hold onto something human end?

5. What is consistent of Gregor's relationship with his father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Gregor lose about himself in the second part of the story?

2. What could the interchange of roles between Grete and Gregor's father be Kafka's social commentary for?

3. What are two failures that occur within the narrative?

4. What happens each time Gregor emerges from his room with only the best intentions?

5. What does the visit of the Chief Clerk serve to represent within The Metamorphosis?

6. As the third part of The Metamorphosis opens, what creates a sense of tragedy and despair?

7. If his speech could be understood, what would his words to the Chief Clerk and his family have served to do?

8. What does the reader learn about Gregor's character through his thoughts as he lies in bed?

9. What is the irony of Gregor attempting to hold on to something familiar and human in the second part of The Metamorphosis?

10. How does Gregor die and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Towards the end of The Metamorphosis, Grete and Mr. Samsa appear to shift roles. Mr. Samsa goes from being the least sympathetic to the most. Grete shifts from the most sympathetic to the least. Using examples from the text, discuss how and why this shift occurs throughout the book.

Essay Topic 2

Is the life Gregor lives following his transformation an exaggeration of the issues he struggled with in his family, job, relationships, etc. prior to his transformation? Cite specific examples from the text to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 3

Gregor is the only truly sympathetic character in The Metamorphosis. Prove or disprove this statement with specific examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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