the metamorphosis reflection

2-3 reflective paragraphs, 6-9 citations from parts 1, 2, & 3
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is marinating in symbolism from beginning to end. Almost each sentence has a symbol or deeper meaning, especially of Kafka's outlook on the flaws of society. The first one being the idea of work-pace. "“O God,” he thought, “what a demanding job I’ve chosen! Day in, day out, on the road. The stresses of selling are much greater than the actual work going on at head office, and, in addition to that, I still have to cope with the problems of travelling, the worries about train connections, irregular bad food, temporary and constantly changing human relationships, which never come from the heart. To hell with it all!”"(Kafka 1). This is Gregor speaking of his job, how much he hates it, how he does not have the time to live is life or develop real human relationships. Who would want to live this life? The American way has given most working adults this same feeling. Another thing that was very prevalent in Kafka's story was the idea of trust, and how it is escaping humanity. "Gregor had no intention of opening the door, but congratulated himself on his precaution, acquired from travelling, of locking all doors during the night, even at home." (Kafka 2) This is showing how Gregor does not hold trust in anyone, not even his family. The door is a symbol, and he is literally shutting them out. This sad humor seen throughout the story is conveying the flaws Kafka sees in us. The idea of dehumanization is very important here as well. "“Something has fallen in there,” said the manager in the next room on the left." Gregor is being referred to as an object, a "something". This is even before his family is aware that he is a bug. Gregor is not even seen as a human to them, whether he is a bug or not. 
A hugely important symbol in The Metamorphosis is the voice. Gregor's changing voice throughout the story is very important and meaningful, representing the metaphorical voice, and power. "In the living room, as Gregor saw through the crack in the door, the gas was lit, but where, on other occasions at this time of day, his father was accustomed to read the afternoon newspaper in a loud voice to his mother and sometimes also to his sister, at the moment no sound was audible."(Kafka 9). This excerpt is saying that the father has a loud voice. He is the power clearly talks down to the rest of his family, especially Gregor. He lives in luxury while his son works off his own debt. Yet, he is still ashamed of him. One of the saddest excerpts from this story would be this one."He remembered his family with deep feelings of love. In this business, his own thought that he had to disappear was, if possible, even more decisive than his sister’s. He remained in this state of empty and peaceful reflection until the tower clock struck three in the morning. In front of the window he witnessed the beginning of the outside growing generally lighter. Then without willing it, his head sank all the way down..."(Kafka 25). Gregor is abused by his family and worked like an ox. He receives no love and no respect in return. The kill him by stabbing him in the back, also in the literal sense. He dies with a deep, "undying" love for his family.  Finally, the end of The Metamorphosis end with the idea of the cycle. All of this that Gregor is trapped in, that kills hims (traps us, kills us) repeats itself. "And it was something of a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions when at the end of their journey their daughter stood up first and stretched her young body."(Kafka 27) The parents plan to use the loving daughter as they used their loving son. Her fate will be the same as Gregor's.
 

butterfly

Gregor Samsa evokes an emotion in people in two ways. Either people feel really deep sympathy for Gregor and see how is he beautiful internally, or they see him as a pathetic salesman and a loser. When people feel negatively towards Gregor, Kafka has made a point using literature to show what is wrong with society. He is trying to convey how sad it is that people can be so judegmental and look down upon each other in these ways. The first part, when we are introduced to Gregor as a giant bug, it is to be taken notice that we are viewing him from a bird's-eye view. This is a symbol of superiority.
Because Gregor is a salesman, we are set up to look down upon him, as we look down at him in a literal sense when we are introduced to him.
Gregor Samsa is very lonely, due to many things. Some of these things are the fact he lives with his parents, he is trapped (especially inside of his box room). His job of a traveling salesman provides him with little to no free time. He is so lonely that he has a framed picture of a woman from a magazine on his wall. This is trying to show the reader what has become of our society today. We are expected to work until we collapse, and then get up and do it again tomorrow. Kafka clearly disagrees with these ways. It is also to be noted that Kafka spent sometime as a traveling salesman as well, and sees the hardships.

shuffling the coil

What Dreams May Come...
The movie might seem simple, but is actually incredibly complex and has the smallest details in relation to Dante's Inferno. Throughout the painting, there were many paintings, pieces of art, and other hidden references to Dante, as well as ideas of heaven and hell relating to his. For example, the river full of the first sinners reaching up out of the river, which was exactly as it was in Dante's Inferno. The idea of the guide, the old man/ his med school mentor resembling Virgil, and Chris as Dante. The paintings behind Annie when she was committing suicide where three paintings of heaven, purgatory, and hell.

What struck me most about the movie was the colors and how significant they were as visual cues. The colors always held meaning, whether being a symbol of something, or a hint to an upcoming event. The movie started out full of life (in many ways). The scenery is in this beautiful place with a lake and a valley full of flowers and wildlife. Annie is full of life herself, as a personality. Her hair is long and free, wild. This is all a symbol of life. The death of the children alters the movie and the colors especially. The colors become bland, black and white, and very dark in a lot places. Annie's place of work is all white, while she wears all black. Her hair is dyed black and is cut short. She is symbolizing death and loss.

The movie could honestly be kind of confusing for me at times, but looking at it as a whole piece of art it is really beautiful. It is so deep and metaphorical, beautiful visually and mentally.