Speaking My Mind: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

I'm reading The Metamorphosis for a class and I can't help but have my say about this story. 

Read the novella first. Spoilers are everywhere beyond this point.

Basically, the novella is about the Samsa family adjusting to the metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa.

It has three chapters which I will briefly narrate. 

Chapter 1

Gregor turned into a 'monstrous vermin' one morning.  It was revealed in the first part of the story that Gregor is a traveling salesman working to pay off the debt his parents have from the boss he doesn't really like. I will not go into much details. He didn't catch the usual train he rides, his family got worried, the firm's manager went to the Samsa's apartment to check why Gregor didn't ride the six o' clock train because their boss has trust issues. Struggling, Gregor finally went out of his room only to be seen by his mother, father, sister and the manager in the form of an insect-like creature.

Chapter 2

It's basically about the sister, Grete, caring for Gregor despite his monstrous form. The family began to discuss financial matters since Gregor was the one supporting the family before he transformed. The mother helped in caring for Gregor particularly when moving furniture out of Gregor's room. This is when he saw Gregor's form and fainted. The father became angry and threw apples at Gregor, one of which, got stuck in the flesh of his back.

Chapter 3

This is when everyone became tired of caring for Gregor and finding him as a total burden as opposed to Chapter 2 wherein he is cared for because he is a part of the family. The serious wound in Gregor's back caused by the apple worsen. The family allowed boarders. One night, as the boarders (or roomers) ate dinner in the common living room, they heard Grete playing the violin from the kitchen where the family eats. They asked Grete to play to them outside the kitchen. Gregor was drawn to the music and was spotted. The roomers gave the Samsa their notice of leaving. Grete had enough and decided they should get rid of Gregor, the father agreed. Gregor went back to his room and found himself unable to move. He lie awake until he saw the clock strike three in the morning, and look at the window, the light beginning to spread on the sky and he  slowly died because of the inflamed wound. The cleaning woman came the morning of his death and told the family. The family is happy, relieved not to carry the burden that is Gregor.

COMMENTS:

I'll start with something shallow. It's just something I asked myself, probably because I didn't read it well enough or because I'm don't understand the situation clearly. 

 I dislike Gregor Samsa's character in the first part of the story. Half of the first chapter is he complaining a lot about his job. I don't know why don't he just find a job he likes and pay the debt with the earnings he will get from the job he wants. It's quite limiting. I mean he hates his boss and the only reason why he can't quit is because of his parent's debt. So find a new job and pay it with your earnings.

Grete's transformation from being the first one who cared to the first one who declared to get rid of Gregor is something to really look at. From the loving sister to the hating sister. I understand that she is tired of Gregor being a burden but for me, she became a bit ungrateful for Gregor. Okay, she fed him and cleaned his room and stuff, but for the last 5 years, it was Gregor who supported the family. 

Speaking of family. It's not just Grete who was a bit ungrateful, all of them were. Gregor worked to pay off the debt his parents have while none of them even worked. Now that it is Gregor who caused the burden, they can't stand him even for a few months? What if the cure for Gregor was to love him despite being a burden like how he loves his family enough to stay in a job he really hated. 

I don't know if the readers should pity the family, honestly, I'm annoyed by them. They are worse than the complaining Gregor in the first Chapter. Of the three, I find the mother least annoying. She obviously love Gregor despite the fact that she fainted when she saw him, at least she begged the father to spare Gregor's life in Chapter 2.

UHHHHHGGGG! These characters are so annoying!

I just wish they all could have handled Gregor better. From the beginning, they are repulsed by him which is really sad. That is why I've became really defensive of Gregor.

In enotes.com, I've found the interpretation of the message Kafka is sending that agrees with my own.

[gbeatty is the one who answered before blacksheepunite: Click this to go to the source. ]

It's really sad and the message is really evident in the transformation of Grete.

Overall, great work Kafka!

Case Two: Veronica Mars - The Thousand Dollar Tan Line By: Rob Thomas

                                          Song for Todays Review:                                 
           

                     

               

                                                  Veronica Mars
                        The Thousand Dollar Tan Line
                                     By: Rob Thomas

*Warning! Spoilers WILL be present. Spoilers Have Been Whited Out for First Time Readers.*
Set after the events of the Veronica Mars Movie(Which was fully funded by fans), Veronica returns to the Private Detective business after deciding to ditch her plans on becoming a lawyer, returning to the seedy beached town of Neptune, California. With her dad still in critical condition from a hit and run, Veronica has to do it like the old fashion way; With Mac and Wallace's help. Good timing too, a case just hit up. A girl goes missing after a party. But this is no ordinary case. This case will lead to the return of someone once dear to Veronica. You need anymore spoilers? Ha! The closest I'll give to you is that it won't be Duncan, that's for sure. With the more incompetent new Sheriff doing no good, the people of Neptune decide to call upon Veronica's help, fearing that this case will be the reason visitors can use cancel reservations and avoid Neptune for spring break. Nothing has changed since she departed from this town in the first place.
But that's the drug that Veronica lives on anyways. Solving cases, taking revenge, and feel the adrenaline of catching a criminal.
As you all know, Veronica Mars is my favorite TV series. It would go without saying that I'd review it, maybe with a little bias. Fellow Marshmallows, this is for Veronica Mars!!!

Plot

Like I said above, Veronica takes up her leather Coats and Stun Gun to solve the mystery of a missing girl. But that's not the only case, as far as it goes. After just one go missing, another one pops up gone. Scary. The mystery in this book was vivid in my mind so much as if I was watching a new episode of a new Veronica Mars Series. What especially made me happy to read this book was the plot twist and heel turners. You try to go with your gut in mysteries and think hard on who murdered who, or who did what. I had my suspects, and I was wrong. So wrong. Rob Thomas was very good with the book and I'd be more than happy to read the next one.

                                             Nothing Less from Veronica Mars(8/5 Stars)

Depth

The depth in this book was alright, but not so much as deep as the experience I had when I watched each season of Veronica Mars. It didn't feel very... direct to thought. Then again, Veronica Mars did blend comedy with drama and mystery, so the level of depth fluctuated. I didn't grew up watching the series like my sisters did, but as I watched the series at first, I knew exactly why she loved the series. Despite the sarcastic and funny areas, the series put to heart the continuity and darkness within the original series. With a new start, I didn't expect the story to be very deep at first. The reappearance of someone once dear to Veronica did put the series back on track, and hopefully the things that with the series going back on track, I can read through something as endearing and powerful as what I watched. I have faith in Rob Thomas.

(3.5/5 Stars)

Style and Execution

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the writing style...
Again, I'm going to base this on what I've watched in the past. Its a little biased, but seriously.... I sort of expected the book to be first person. Veronica would always have these inner monologues and snarky moments. When I began reading and found out it was Third Person, I was a little let down. Sure, she kept the sarcastic comments in moments of opportunity, but reading it like someone else speculating was a bit weird for me. Sorry Rob, but if you're going to continue, please try keeping it in first person. I love Veronica's trail of thought. Not reading it was really, really out of place for me.

(3/5 Stars)

Interest Maintenance

Despite the let down with the writing style, I did manage to keep on reading with interest. The banter and mystery's blend did manage together. I'd occasionally stop to rehash some points to understand and sometimes just to read the banter that Veronica usually has with people, so its a given that the story was interesting enough to prevent me from stopping.

(5/5 Stars)

Creativity

Here's where the book makes a comeback with the other points its lost. Like I said earlier, the story had the right amount of twists and turns that made me wonder what was going on in Rob Thomas' mind when he made this. This was incredibly well thought of and beautifully made. It was pretty awesome that they had an idea for a follow up after the Veronica Mars movie, because the series already finished off the best mysteries that the story had to offer, specifically Season 1. But to the point that Rob didn't give up until the end, we fans are proud and happy to know that Veronica Mars is still alive.

I'd walk across a Battlefield for it. (7.4/5 Stars)

Payoff
I'll be honest. I didn't buy the book, but downloaded the Ebook instead. The Philippines didn't sell copies of this book, so I was forced to download it. I didn't want to NOT read this, so I scoured the internet for a copy, and I finally found one annd let me tell you this, the synopsis was short, but offered a lot of curiosity. When you finally manage to read it, you know it was just right to read because the story did not hesitate to try and leave you with more questions to see if you were paying attention. The story is well worth it. But more so if you're a fan. It would really look like a collectors Item too. If you read this before watching the series or at least the movie, you will be a little confused, so it's more worth it if you're a fan. If you're looking for a good mystery, but haven't watched the series, you'll be satisfied, but feel a like it's a little insipid because you don't have a clue about the characters or the stories other than what they describe it in the book.

(4.5/5 Stars)

Overall
The book is a great addition to a collection. But more likely more appreciated if you have been following Veronica Mars before you read this, so it's easy to feel elated to say it's great to people who don't know about it. If I hadn't watched the series myself, maybe even I'd have a different opinion because I'd be a little confused. But still, the book would make a good mind twister because Rob did not hold back to make the first book as good as the first episode. Kudos.
My Verdict:

Out of the way! I'll taser you if you grab that last copy in the stands.

(31.4/30 Worth it. Better if you're a fan.)

Recommended Song When You Read This: Stick Up(Max Schneider)