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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 consistent of Gregor's relationship with his father that is shown by how his father treats Gregor?

2. How does Gregor's boss, the Chief Clerk, display his tyrannical authority over Gregor?

3. What could the understanding of Gregor's speech potentially do for the situation involving his family and the Chief Clerk?

4. How do the women contribute to the family's surmounting debt?

5. Why does Gregor die at the end of The Metamorphosis?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who has a small inkling that Gregor might understand them and why is this character an ironic choice for this revelation?

2. What human capacity does Gregor keep as the narrative develops and how is this shown?

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

4. Who ironically turns on Gregor in the third part of The Metamorphosis and why?

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

6. What prevents Gregor from communicating with his family pre-transformation?

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

8. Why was Gregor's family financially dependent on him pre-transformation?

9. What is Gregor's transformation a possible symbol for?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gregor makes an eloquent speech about the hardships of a traveling salesman when the Chief Clerk visits his home. To what extent has Gregor's job disabled him from having a fulfilling life? Think in terms of Gregor's family, friends, and relationships with people. Use examples from the novel to support your ideas.

Essay Topic 2

Gregor understands far more about his family than they understand about him. Prove or disprove this statement using specific examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Gregor shares a history of misunderstandings with his father. Substantiate this statement with examples from the text that prove to the reader that Gregor and his father had a tumultuous relationship even before the transformation.

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