Question

An author makes choices about how to structure and pace events to achieve a purpose. In lines 59-84, Gregor suddenly starts to worry about missing the train. From this point onward, how does Kafka manipulate time to create tension? Consider how the pacing creates a sense of urgency and panic.

Answer 1

Answer:

By showing the hectic scene of him getting up late, not hearing his alarm clock, and also bringing his family to his door shows or relays the need of urgency in his situation. The author Kafka successfully creates tension in that scene, making Gregor unable to think straight, while at the same time, still unaware of his transformation.

Explanation:

In Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis", the story revolves around the transformation of the protagonist Gregor Samsa into a bug. The whole story deals with the new approach of his reality and his attempts to try to lead a normal life though it was impossible.

In lines 59- 84, the narrator showed him getting up with a start because the clock had already struck "half past six and the hands were quietly moving forwards, it was even later than half past, more like quarter to seven". Added to his late rising, his mother began calling him to wake up. This urgency in the scene creates tension to show how Gregor had to be in his office and working. He then made the whole family to try to breakdown the door when Gregor refused to open the door. This conflict further creates more tension within the whole family and shows the urgency of how things need to be get done. Bringing the whole family to his door made him even more anxious, which wasn't what he wanted to do. Rather, what he "wanted to do was to get up in peace without being disturbed, to get dressed, and most of all to have his breakfast." Thus, contrary to his want and need of peace, the author poses a bustling, rather conflicting scene for him so as to lay emphasis on the need of urgency in the matter.