I must admit that there is a driving force behind my blog this week. Something I thought would spice my motivation. I read Andrew’s blog today and I feel I need make a rebuttal in offering a different perspective. No offense intended, the blog was wonderfully written, well supported, and absolutely understandable, but I seemed to get an entirely different message from this seemingly basic and grotesque story. Basically, I feel that I need to stand up for Gregor’s psychological mind as he transforms from a man to a bug. And, for all of you that tend to think the opposite of my profound thoughts I will explain my opinions.
I feel that the first sentence of the story is the most philosophical proposal of the entire story. It starts with a question that stayed in my mind throughout the entire story. Is this story just a dream, or is this really happening? You could argue that this is actually happening as an extreme way of Gregor’s psychological mind relieving himself from his demanding duties, but I think that the transformation from human to bug is an intense metaphor. I think that his mind is so overwhelmed by the pressures of his everyday life that it had to create an escape. Gregor receives little appreciation for his duties as he provides for the family. With demanding work and little appreciation, I cannot blame him from mentally turning himself into a bug. I believe that Gregor cares deeply that he is a bug. He does not care that he looks like a bug, but he appreciates the mental break. He cares about the repercussions of turning into a bug: no work, relaxation both physically and mentally, and powerful negative feedback that drives him mad.
This all seems fine to Gregor, until he realizes that he is nothing but a burden— an insignificant burden to the people around him. I see Gregor as someone that has lived his entire life trying to please others and not cause any ripples in the waters he inhabits. This bug that he has uncontrollably turned into has put him under a bright microscope (slight pun intended), a place he is unfamiliar with and ultimately ashamed of. He has become a burden to the people around him, what he has lived his life to avoid and the resulting feeling is shame and embarrassment. He feels bad that his family has to live with a bug that is so revolting. Ironically, he is not self-absorbed and concerned, but instead he is conscious of the people that he is affecting with his hideous appearance. He bows down to these criticisms just as he bowed down to his duties before he was stripped of his human qualities.
I would like to thank Andrew and praise him for writing a blog that posed a tremendously provocative stance that inspired me to write my blog. I learn the most from people that challenge my view of situations.
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7 comments:
Roni--good job using another's blog as a point of departure for your own, and most respectfully done, I should add. Also I like the way you break down what you see as the stages of his deterioration: first the immense pressure that causes his human self to vanish, then the new perceptions of how negatively he is viewed by his own family, the sense of burden and shame leading to the disintegration of his mind and spirit, ultimately bringing about death. Well explained.
Abby!
You are too sweet, thank you for your comment. I've been cruising around blogs lately and I've seen your comments all over the place! They're so thoughtful and nice--not to mention quite formal. I love the "sincerely, Abigail" at the end. :)
I really liked this entry of yours. My favorite statement was, "I see Gregor as someone that has lived his entire life trying to please others and not cause any ripples in the waters he inhabits." It's so beautifully worded.
Thanks for the comment :) Have a wonderful weekend!
Abby,
First let me say thanks for the invite to the party. It was quite fun and really helped me get in considering Warren got shot down at the door haha.
In terms of your blog, you have been showing some good consistency in posting length and some good durability with consistent entries each week. I like how u analyze this story through the mental aspect of Gregor. Good Job!!
Nick James
Dear Abby,
You creeped me out today in class with your statement. So that's you who stares at me through my window at night. Gross.
Anyway. The blog. Beautiful job. I love how you were inspired to write such a passionate blog after reading another blog that you disagreed with (be careful, he knows karate). I also love how you take us through your own "train" of interpretation to argue your ideas. Beautiful. Fabulous. Exciting.
Love,
Aravind
Dear Abby,
You creeped me out today in class with your statement. So that's you who stares at me through my window at night. Gross.
Anyway. The blog. Beautiful job. I love how you were inspired to write such a passionate blog after reading another blog that you disagreed with (be careful, he knows karate). I also love how you take us through your own "train" of interpretation to argue your ideas. Beautiful. Fabulous. Exciting.
Love,
Aravind
I think it's sweet you used Andrew Grady as inspiration for your blog.
Abby!
I completely agree with what you have said. I really like the point you make when you say that Gregor enjoys the mental break when he turns into a bug. I think that his family puts so much pressure on him, and that they do not really treat him any better than a bug so he turns into one to escape the pressures of everyday life.
Becky!
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