1. What is the relationship between Gregor and his family? What clues in the story suggest that his relationship with his family, particularly his father, is unsatisfactory?

It is a little bit difficult to totally understand from the perspective of an insect, but his father beats Gregor back into his room, probably symbolizing his fathers control and overpowering of Gregor’s ability to change in the open. His mother does wish to see Gregor even with his transformed state, which shows a high degree of caring no matter what Gregor becomes. Interestingly both Gregor’s father and sister are against his mother seeing him, which could be expected from the father, but not the sister who feeds him bread and milk while he slept. Following her discovering that Gregor desire a different type of food, she begins bringing him old nasty foos which fills his insect apitite. Through out the story Gregor’s father seems to always doubt or assume the worst of Gregor, through showing distrust and resentment. His mother and sister except Gregor’s transformation and try to change the house to fit his new state of need, such as crawling space. Although over time his whole family begin to feel as if Gregor is a burden, which results in Gregor dying and his family become happy. The whole story seems to outline how change can be good for ones self, but can result in negative consequences of those around you. And with Gregor’s insect self, he can no longer support his family. Although his father finally finds employment, resulting in the families rejection of Gregor’s worth. So maybe the moral of the story is that people can care about you when you are what they need you to be, but when you change, if they cannot get what they need they will seek it out else whaere and leave you behind.

2. Discuss the central events in each of the three sections of The Metamorphoses. In what ways do these events suggest that the weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of the family as a whole?

The first section is focused on Gregor and how he had changed, what he was thinking about, and what he was afraid of. He was the most concerned with losing his job, which is central piece of the fist section, with his manager coming and running away in fear of Gregor. Also, after the manager runs in fear is when Gregor’s father pushes him back into his room, halting his efforts at chasing the manager and explaining his absence from work. For the second section, the main premise seemed to be his family and their reactions to his situation. Such as his sister feeding him and taking up his chore duties. The other members of his family seemed to become more close through their joint efforts in “dealing” with Gregor’s appearance/shape in every day activities. This is also the section where Gregor’s fate is being considered by his father and his sister is against the fathers with for him to be killed. In the third section, we begin to learn of Gregor’s unhappiness and pain. Furthermore, now his sister is also employed which was interesting because even though all of them were employed they were still poor from Gregor’s situation. Over time the family lost time to spend with Gregor and now he was almost merely a novelty of their Gregor. In the end they believed Gregor to be an “it,” free of all human qualities, a burden on the family and indeed must be put down. The whole story is building upon the fact that his family becomes more close, because his position in the family was replaced by his sister around the house and his fathers employment.

3. How effective do you find Akhmatova’s Requiem as a political protest? Requiem was not published until well after the purges were over and Stalin was dead; is it, then, totally lacking in influence?

I think the sheer fact that it was banned has some merit to its effectiveness as a protest. I think it was a little bit of a taunt to the Stalin regime, because it spoke of suffering, but did not do so where the author blamed the Soviet Union for the troubles, even though any ready would know through real context who was at fault. It is not totally “lacking,” because although it was banned, we get a glimpse of the sort of ideas which were against the Soviet era political control. At the time of the Soviet Union, most forms of scientific or artistic literature had to hide certain meaning because they could go against the political regime, yet non the less the truth was the truth and can be found hidden within many pages of that eras regional texts.

4. How should we interpret the famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo?

Well, it seems to be telling us to understand what is on the inside of yourself, because through recognizing what’s there you will understand what needs to change. I suppose there are a number of other ways to interpret it, but to me it is about self-awareness, self-acceptance, and acceptance of changing ones-self.

1. What is the relationship between Gregor and his family? What clues in the story suggest that his relationship with his family, particularly his father, is unsatisfactory?

Gregor has two relationships with his family. One, he is still loved by his mother and sister and they all still care for him, even after finding out about his metamorphoses. His mom and sister try to help feed him, and even cover for Gregor when he can no longer continue to work. They all three love each other deeply but they no longer talk to him because of his metamorphoses. The second relationship is with his father. His father dislikes Gregor, and shows this by not working in the beginning of the story then when the father needs to work because Gregor can no longer, he beats Gregor. After his father learns about the metamorphoses he seems to be disgusted and disowns Gregor.

2. Discuss the central events in each of the three sections of The Metamorphoses. In what ways do these events suggest that the weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of the family as a whole?

The first section of the story the family is very distant towards each other. Gregor works and provides for his whole family while his father comes across as not being able to work. Gregor then awakes to find that he has transformed into a bug, and really reflects on the life that he has due to his family and work.

The second section of the story goes on to tell us how Gregor slowly can no longer take care of himself. His mom and sister start to help Gregor by feeding him, but keep their distance. They don’t talk to him and his father has practically disowned him from disgust.

The third section of the story Gregor is injured by his dad throwing an apple at him. Gregor overhears one night how the family is starting to change their lifestyles to support themselves without Gregor. Gregor is devastated by this and passes away because of this.

3. How effective do you find Akhmatova’s Requiem as a political protest? Requiem was not published until well after the purges were over and Stalin was dead; is it, then, totally lacking in influence?

Akhmatov’as Requiem, in my opinion, would have been very effective if it had been published during the purges and while Stalin was in rule. Instead of just being a complicated statement about politics, she was able to create a picture in your head about exactly what she was talking about with living under tyranny and the hardships about war.

4. How should we interpret the famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo?

The last line in the poem pretty much sets the tone for the poem after the finish reading it. It tells us that we must change our lives. Simple as that haha. The poem to mean meant that you should take in the bigger picture and really rethink your motives in life and really make sure that you are doing the right thing.

1. What is the relationship between Gregor and his family? What clues in the story suggest that his relationship with his family, particularly his father, is unsatisfactory?

First of all, this was not the first time I have read The Metamorphoses, and I still didn’t like it.  I know that it is supposed to be symbolic, however, I find it disturbing.  Anyway, to answer the question, I find that Gregor is really only there because he feels as if he owes it to his parents. His mother and sister do take care of him and cover his back while he is absent from work, however, I think that they are disturbed at his metamorphism, and really only feed him etc. because they feel as if it is their motherly and sisterly duties.   I believe that his father feels unmanly for not being able to provide for the family, and therefore can’t help being bitter to Gregor for he is the one working and putting bread on the table.

2. Discuss the central events in each of the three sections of The Metamorphoses. In what ways do these events suggest that the weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of the family as a whole?

His metamorphism, the effect this has on his family, especially his father, are all pivotal events in this story.  I think that throughout this story, the weakening of the provider of the family, makes the rest of the family come together and start getting their junk together.  Imagine if someone in your family was always working and providing for everyone and you were used to lounging around, I think it would be hard to get motivated and go get work.  Therefor, I think that it may have been somewhat beneficial for the family that Gregor was transformed.

3. How effective do you find Akhmatova’s Requiem as a political protest? Requiem was not published until well after the purges were over and Stalin was dead; is it, then, totally lacking in influence?

I think that because it was published after the fact, it could not of persuaded anyone either way during the reign of Stalin, however, I think that it definitely can be a lesson for the future and influence us in that way.  Aren’t all history books and stories and even myths, although published  after  the fact still teach their readers important lessons?

4. How should we interpret the famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo?

I find it like that of the persuasive speeches we have been looking at and discussing in my communication class.  Rilke provides a very vivid description of the statue, however, if you were to take away that last sentence,  You must change your life… it does not have the same “umph!” to it.  That last sentence really seems like the call to action in a persuasive speech and ties the whole poem and similes of Apollo together.  I think one should interpret it as him bringing the poem to a close, the conclusion, the part where he has given you all of these awesome smilies and then ends it by that dazzling statement that makes you want to start writing poetry.

1) Gregor seemed to only be close to his sister. While his mother appeared to also love her son, the fact that she was physically frail prevented her from being as close to her son as she might have been, particularly after his transformation. After Gregor showed his family that he was no longer human (and no longer fit to work either), his father brandished a cane and a newspaper and used them to force Gregor back into his room. Afterwards, when Gregor caused his mother to have a serious health concern related to a shocking gesture he made towards her, father attacked Gregor with the apples. This attack in return nearly led to Gregor’s own demise. Later, as the story goes on, Gregor is no longer cared for as he once was by his sister and he begins to stop eating as a result of his neglect. In the end, Gregor is holding his family back from being prosperous and the whole family clearly looks upon him as a burden. When this has become abundantly clear, Gregor dies and the family is relieved to be able to go on living a normal life again.

2) When Gregor first revealed himself after his transformation, he was surprised to see his weak and inhibited father standing before him with such authority as to poke and prod him back into the room. Gregor’s inability to work and provide put the responsibility on his father to again work. I really see this as the central theme throughout the book. My reasoning is that prior to the industrial revolution, the patriarchal figure within the family was probably the one with the most authority and prestige within the family. As Gregor, the son, became the central breadwinner of the family when he began to work and support the family, his father was relegated to an almost expired existence in which he could barely muster himself out of bed. As Gregor is no longer working and bringing home the bacon, his father again becomes the pivotal figure within the household and Gregor is resorted to being the invalid. This is of course the other metamorphoses of the story.

3) I believe Requiem as a political protest was quite effective, albeit the fact that it was not published until much later after the worst of Josef Stalin’s purges were over and new political leadership took hold. Part of the problem I believe with the purges, and any society which has dealt with a treacherous leader in its past, is that people need the passage of time before they can again feel like it is safe to protest against their oppression. As ferocious as Stalin’s purges were, society was left in a state of terror and shock for at least a generation. When Akhamotova’s message began to spread without repercussions, the effect must have been one to open up old wounds of people who have suffered dearly. All many people were left with questions, to which they naturally sought answers. Afterwards, people would expect actions to be taken to ensure that nothing like a murderous, tyrannical dictator and a system of terror could never happen again. In the case of the former Soviet Union, as quality of life began to suffer under a bankrupt system, and all these emotions described above became fully manifest, permanent reform came into being under the leadership of Gorbachev. The fact that this leader came about, as opposed to another one like Stalin, in my opinion can be directly attributed to Akhmatova and others just like her that were driven to no longer accept poor and unfortunate circumstances the rest of their lives.

4) I would interpret the underlying meaning to be one of deep reverence for the glory which was so emblematic of the ordinary life in ancient Greco-Roman times, where all of the gods and men under Zeus thrived. It is a nostalgic reference, probably even a Neo-Romanticism boast. In this context, the meaning of the phrase “You must change your life,” quite literally means that either an individual or society can benefit from big ideas and change.

1. What is the relationship between Gregor and his family? What clues in the story suggest that his relationship with his family, particularly his father, is unsatisfactory?
   Looking through Gregor’s eyes, he seems to be a great son and brother. Each and every day he goes to a job that he despises, just so he is able to provide for his family. A big reason why he is working this job is because he wants to pay his sister’s way to school. When the random transformation occurs, his family treats it like an illness. They are very calm about the entire situation. Since his transformation, Gregor’s mind begins to change. Gregor’s dad is not very thrilled with what has happened, mainly because now he has to begin to work and provide for the family. He cares more about himself rather than his own son.

2. Discuss the central events in each of the three sections of The Metamorphoses. In what ways do these events suggest that the weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of the family as a whole?
   First Event: Gregor is transformed into a giant insect. This transformation was unexpected. At this point in time, is family treats the transformation like an illness. Therefore, they begin to take care of him and try to help with his every need. All Gregor can think about his is job.
   Second Event: Gregor’s sister starts bringing him food and necessities, because he is no longer capable of doing these type of things himself. At this point, he begins to develop insect-like qualities. He begins crawling around and thinks it is best for his furniture to be moved so that he is able to freely move about.
   Third Event: Gregor’s father attacks him! His family begins to take pity on him. They leave his door open at night so that he can be watched. One night, he overhears his sister playing the violin. He plans on trying to talk to his sister and let her know that he wants to send her to music school. While trying, he gets spotted. His family sits down with him and explains that he needs to leave. He became very heartbroken and dies.

3. How effective do you find Akhmatova’s Requiem as a political protest? Requiem was not published until well after the purges were over and Stalin was dead; is it, then, totally lacking in influence?
   I found Akhmatova to be very effective! Her writing seemed “real.’ A more personal influence was incorporated into her work. It drew a mental picture into my mind of what women really went through in history. It shows us what really happened during that point in time. It wasn’t just a made up story that someone wrote down, it was real-life. The writings are able to still be spoken of to show us how life used to be.

4. How should we interpret the famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo?
   I think this poem has to do with changing one’s life. At the end, it says “for here there is no place that does not see you. You must change your life.’ This stood out to me because I think it’s saying that you have to stand out among everyone else to be noticed. It also speaks of a stone being defaced. You are dull until you make yourself shine!

1. What is the relationship between Gregor and his family? What clues in the story suggest that his relationship with his family, particularly his father, is unsatisfactory?

Gregor’s relationship with his family seems distant and someone out of sorts. Gregor is the sole provider for the family after his father’s business flops leading for some resentment when his father doesn’t help support the family afterwards. His mother seems to be worried about his condition trying to see her “new” son but being stopped by both the sister and the father. His father seems to have had little love for his son from the start, because as soon as Gregor changes he abandons him, regarding him as bad, or evil.

2. Discuss the central events in each of the three sections of The Metamorphoses. In what ways do these events suggest that the weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of the family as a whole?

Gregor’s transformation brings the family together at the loss of their sole provider and main meal ticket. After the help leaves and the father is forced to get a job, the family becomes closer and united in their efforts to support themselves but also in their distain/resentment of Gregor in his new form.

3. How effective do you find Akhmatova’s Requiem as a political protest? Requiem was not published until well after the purges were over and Stalin was dead; is it, then, totally lacking in influence?

Although published after the time in which it was meant to affect, the poem brings to light the atrocities that took place and has influence on future readers. Just because a literary piece isn’t published or recognized in the time it would have seemed to make the most difference doesn’t mean it doesn’t make a difference at all.

4. How should we interpret the famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo?

I read this as a challenge to become all that you are and let people see your beauty and radiance. I also read it as a threat, or warning as it read:

“would not, from all the borders of itself, burst like a star: for here there is no place that does not see you. You must change your life.”

This read to me as a threat that you are being watched, and can be seen so change your life.

1.) Gregor’s relationship with his family is unsatisfactory. Gregor’s father appears short tempered and hissing like a wild man when he first discovers Gregor has changed into an insect. He is immediately outraged and disappointed instead of feeling sorry or concerned for him. His family seems at to do what they can for him, in regards to feeding and caring for him, out soon find him more of a nuisance and give hime less care and concern.

2 a.) The first Central Events of the metamorphosis of Gregor is when he awakes and discovers he has transformed into an insect. He feels normal otherwise, its just his physical appearance has changed. He reflects on his current life with the very few friends due to the traveling that his job requires. He dislikes his job but only keeps it to support his family, feeling trapped.

b.) The second event is that when he can no longer take care of himself, such as feeding himself. His sister must bring food to him everyday which takes away his independence. Slowly loses his humanity and starts developing insect-like needs, such as hiding, crawling, and food preferences. Her families disgust over his appearance changes their feeling toward him.

c.) The third central event where Gregor is injured because of the apple thrown at him by his father, leads to the family leaving the door to his bedroom open. He then hears what his family has been doing about the household finances since Gregor can no longer work to support them. They have sold off jewelry, hired a cheaper maid, and taken in 3 borders to help with the bills. Gregor becomes isolated as he’s family, sympathy is diminished. His family has lost any interest or concern for him. Gregor reflects that his family can no longer tolerate him and he dies. The weakening of Gregor results in the strengthening of family. Since Grete is now a grown woman and can get married and get a good job to support the family. They cannot house Gregor to take care of and can get a smaller more affordable apartment.

3.)  I believe Akhamatova’s poem, “Requiem” would have been effective had it been published during Stalin’s Rule. It would have brought out the political injustices mad to millions of men during this period in history. Because of the poems explicit depiction of malher’s despair regarding her son’s well being. It is however a piece of literature that has great meaning to people who have lived throughout and will continue to live through political persecution. The entrance of the pain and suffering of people due to human cruelty is something that we all should not condone and fight to overcome.

4.) The famous command at the end of Archaic Torso of Apollo should be interpreted by showing how the author wants the audience or reader to step back from being an observer and look at oneself -evaluate one’s own life and future, and come up with a plan moving forward.