Author Question: What family member first decides that they must get rid of the insect?What rationale is given? In ... (Read 615 times)

rachel9 · **on:** Jul 20, 2018

What family member first decides that they must get rid of the insect?What rationale is given? In what specific ways does the familys decision affect Gregor?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Do you think Tolstoy would have improved the story had he placed theevents in chronological order? What if the opening scene of Ivans colleagues at the law courts and the wake scene were to be given last? What would be lost?

What will be an ideal response?

bimper21 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Gregors sister ultimately decides that we must try to get rid of it (par. 80). Her attitude has gradually changed from one of solicitous concern to hostility. She does not refer to Gregor by name; he is now an it. I refuse to utter my brothers name in the presence of this monster, she declares. At this point Gregor starts to lose his human identity. She argues that they have been mistaken to think that this creature is her brother. Why? If this were Gregor, she maintains, he wouldve realized a long time ago that its impossible for human beings to live with a creature like that, and he wouldve left on his own accord (par. 85). Gregor, in other words, would not have added to the family burden but would have eased it. His role, she implies, is that of a provider, not an embarrassing dependent. The sisters announcement provides a turning point in the story. Already weak and injured, Gregor declines into death.

Answer to Question 2

Tolstoys arrangement of events seems masterly. We see from the first the selfish, superficial circle of colleagues among whom Ivan lived and his rather obtuse, querulous, self-centered wife. As the story unfolds, we follow Ivans progress from total absorption in his petty affairs to his final illumination. We begin with an exterior view of the context of Ivans society and end with one man, all alone, confronting eternity.