Title: Literary Devices in The Metamorphosis - Owl Eyes
Headings: Literary Devices
in
The Metamorphosis

Literary Devices in The Metamorphosis
Literary Devices Examples in The Metamorphosis:
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III

Content: Sinead, Owl Eyes Contributor
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"even as a student in elementary school..." See in text (Chapter II)
Once again, Kafka saves the most important item on the list for last. In doing so, he effectively works backward from the present to the past, establishing Gregor's timeline and reminding us that he was human and that he had an entire life before his transformation. This detail comes at a crucial moment, when it's necessary for readers to remember that, psychologically, Gregor is still a person who needs sympathy and understanding. Sinead, Owl Eyes Contributor
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"and, apparently, she led the mother by the hand..." See in text (Chapter II)
Notice the reversal of roles here: Gregor's sister, the daughter, holds her mother's hand, acting as if she's the child in their relationship and as if she must protect her mother from what she's able to witness. It's worth noting that a similar reversal of roles happens with the father when Gregor become the provider of the family. Kafka draws this parallel to suggest that the old generation, unlike the new, isn't as prepared to handle unexpected events as their younger counterparts. Sinead, Owl Eyes Contributor
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"Only the sister still remained close to Gregor..." See in text (Chapter II)
Kafka has already established that Grete is Gregor's only real ally, but this juxtaposition between her family's gradual loss of gratitude and her continued affection for Gregor suggests that she might have an ulterior motive, and that their relationship may not be as strong as Gregor thinks. Sinead, Owl Eyes Contributor
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"successful collapse..." See in text (Chapter II)
An oxymoron: the failure of a business cannot be a success, and yet Kafka uses the line anyway, implying that the only thing the father is good at is ruining his business and, by extension, his life.