The Metamorphosis Chapter 2 Flashcards

Gregor's Transformation and Perception

• Gregor develops an appreciation for his antennae, which helps him perceive his surroundings.
• His sister, Grete, is responsible for bringing him food, initially fresh milk with bread.
• Gregor is informed of daily family habits through letters from Grete, demonstrating his isolation yet connection to the family.
• He observes the family dynamics by looking through the crack in his door.

Family Dynamics and Financial Situation

• Gregor’s father enjoyed reading the newspaper aloud to the family during the day.
• Gregor feels nervous in his confined room, indicating his discomfort with his new form.
• His taste in food shifts towards old cheese, rotten vegetables, and congealed sauce.
• Grete enters his room and he hides beneath the couch, further showcasing his shame and desire to conceal himself.

Family Response to Gregor’s Earnings

• Initially, the family reacted to his earnings with astonished delight, but their response changes over time to mere gratitude without warmth.
• Gregor's primary motivation for working was to help the family forget about his father’s business disaster.
• He learns that his family has some savings that are increasing through interest, revealing their financial stability despite his condition.

Gregor's Emotions and Experiences

• Gregor harbors aspirations for Grete, wanting to send her to the Conservatory for music education.
• His eyesight deteriorates, making it difficult to see distinctly.
• As he hangs from the ceiling, he experiences a sense of happy absent-mindedness, reflecting a moment of carefree escape.

The Change at Home

• Grete and their mother decide to remove furniture from Gregor's room, signifying a shift away from his human past.
• After two months as a monstrous vermin, Gregor is on the brink of forgetting his humanity, with the furniture symbolizing his past life.
• He tries to hide his appearance by covering himself with a sheet, displaying his shame.

Family Crisis and Conflict

• The first direct words addressed to Gregor post-metamorphosis, “you, Gregor!,” signify a poignant moment of acknowledgment from Grete.
• The mother fainting upon seeing Gregor clinging to the wall illustrates the family's horror and inability to cope with the transformation.
• After the mother faints, Gregor follows Grete into the other room, where she reacts with fear, dropping a bottle that injures him.

Escalation of Tension

• Gregor feels unbelievable pain when an apple is lodged in his back after his father throws apples at him in a fit of rage.
• The father’s bank messenger's uniform and stiff demeanor reflect his attempt to maintain authority in the altered family dynamics.

Grete's Changing Role

• Grete's transformation from a carefree girl to a caretaker signifies her shift in responsibility within the household as they all adapt to the new reality.
• The family's reaction to Gregor, swinging from care to resentment, marks a dramatic thematic element of alienation.