quarta-feira, 19 de novembro de 2014
terça-feira, 11 de novembro de 2014
sábado, 8 de novembro de 2014
Kafka
In both “The Metamorphosis” and “A Country Doctor”, the main character is judged by his ability as a provider. In the first situation, Gregor Samsa has to support his family and in the second, the doctor has to show his craft in medicine, in other words, he is obliged to cure the patient. Therefore, if they are not considered productive, they lose all their value.
In “The Metamorphosis”, even though Gregor Samsa has clearly a subdued relationship with his father and his boss (the manager is only a representative), he is the center around whom his over dependent family members live as satellites. Even their names were unknown: they were called father, mother, sister… But they deposit all their hopes (of remaining in a comfortable home without any work) in Gregor. The father can no longer bring the money to the house since he has shown a lack of competence, but his failure is disguised as a matter of age. His mother has health problems and his sister was considered too young.
But as soon as they stop waiting Gregor’s improvement – that is, his transformation in human again –, they display the possibility of been capable of managing to survive without him. So, they reject him as garbage. Even though it is not explicit, his family slowly starts to discard him as retaliation for no longer been able to have as much luxury as before. They were the real parasites who need to be fed by Gregor, who, since his metamorphosis, could no longer have that responsibility.
As the plot advance, the center switches from Gregor to Grete. Her name starts to appear instead of being just called “sister”. Mr. Samsa and Mrs. Samsa also commence to be more than just Gregor’s relatives; they regain their status of being in charge of the decisions. And, in the end, it is unfolded their decision to go back to their previous comfortable life: by marrying Grete. Since they cannot use Gregor anymore, they are going to exploit their daughter’s beauty.
In “A Country Doctor”, it is expected of the leading character that he not only perform as just a doctor – a human – but to save every patient. He is supposed to fill the hole of a shaman: he is the link with the supernatural, not just a talent well-educated man. It becomes evident when it is said “Take his clothes off, then he’ll heal, and if he doesn’t cure, then kill him.” It means that unless he cures the sick one, he is useless, therefore his name and, more important, his life relies on the performance as a doctor.
So, in both texts, the work mode how the people around perceive the main character: as God’s emissary (the doctor), or as a disgusting insect (Gregor).
In “The Metamorphosis”, even though Gregor Samsa has clearly a subdued relationship with his father and his boss (the manager is only a representative), he is the center around whom his over dependent family members live as satellites. Even their names were unknown: they were called father, mother, sister… But they deposit all their hopes (of remaining in a comfortable home without any work) in Gregor. The father can no longer bring the money to the house since he has shown a lack of competence, but his failure is disguised as a matter of age. His mother has health problems and his sister was considered too young.
But as soon as they stop waiting Gregor’s improvement – that is, his transformation in human again –, they display the possibility of been capable of managing to survive without him. So, they reject him as garbage. Even though it is not explicit, his family slowly starts to discard him as retaliation for no longer been able to have as much luxury as before. They were the real parasites who need to be fed by Gregor, who, since his metamorphosis, could no longer have that responsibility.
As the plot advance, the center switches from Gregor to Grete. Her name starts to appear instead of being just called “sister”. Mr. Samsa and Mrs. Samsa also commence to be more than just Gregor’s relatives; they regain their status of being in charge of the decisions. And, in the end, it is unfolded their decision to go back to their previous comfortable life: by marrying Grete. Since they cannot use Gregor anymore, they are going to exploit their daughter’s beauty.
In “A Country Doctor”, it is expected of the leading character that he not only perform as just a doctor – a human – but to save every patient. He is supposed to fill the hole of a shaman: he is the link with the supernatural, not just a talent well-educated man. It becomes evident when it is said “Take his clothes off, then he’ll heal, and if he doesn’t cure, then kill him.” It means that unless he cures the sick one, he is useless, therefore his name and, more important, his life relies on the performance as a doctor.
So, in both texts, the work mode how the people around perceive the main character: as God’s emissary (the doctor), or as a disgusting insect (Gregor).
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