PLOT & PLOT MANIPULATION

Comparison of Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis and The Judgment

Done by: Chris Eva

Metamorphosis The Judgment

Die Verwandlung Das Urteil

Three-Act Plot Single Act Plot

Novella Short Story

Protagonist : Gregor Samsa

Protagonist: Georg Bendemann

Year of Publication: 1915 Year of Publication: 1912

Realistic fiction

Writer : Franz Kafka

Original Language Used: German

GENERAL OVERVIEW

CONTENT

General Overview Exposition Conflict Complicati

on

Rising Action/Falling Action

Climax Suspense Conclusion

EXPOSITIONMetamorphosis:

Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning and finds himself

turned to a bug.NOTE: This is the climax.

The Judgment:Georg Bendermann was sitting in his room writing a letter to his childhood friend who is in St.

Petersburg, Russia.Note: This is an idle

introduction.

CONFLICT1 . I N T E R N A L C O N F L I C T

Gregor is met with horror and disgust when he reveals

his new form to his family and his supervisor.

Georg wants to announce his engagement with a wealthy woman, Frieda Brandenfeld.

2 . E X T E R N A L C O N F L I C T

Metamorphosis:

Since Gregor is unable to

support the family, they

have to seek jobs.

The Judgment:

Georg reports to

his old, decrepit father

about the compositio

n of the letter. The

father questioned him about

his “friend”.Similarities: The protagonists have to deal

with the reaction/action of their family member(s).

COMPLICATIONS

Metamorphosis:

Both Gregor and his family attempt to accommodate Gregor's new condition.

The Judgment:

The father announces his alliance with the friend and with Georg's deceased mother. Georg is essentially excluded from the nuclear family.

Differences : Gregor’s family tried to adapt to the change and find rational alternatives. Georg’s father does not forgive and forget. He chooses to hold grudges with his son.

RISING ACTION

Truth be told, there was no RISING ACTION. The

EXPOSITION was the CLIMAX.

Georg’s father accused him of having premarital

relations. Intimidated and yet irritated by his father's

words, Georg utters a remark that his father

interprets as a patricidal wish.

FALLING ACTION

After some discussion, the

family agrees that they must get rid of

Gregor.

Georg’s father accuses him of being

a devilish human being and

condemned him to death by drowning.

CLIMAX

Gregor Samsa, wakes up in his bed to find himself transformed into a large insect. He looks around his room, which appears normal, and decides to go back to sleep to forget about what has happened.

Georg wrote a letter to his parents before he commited suicide.

THE JUDGMENT: GEORG

STUDY OF THE CURVE:GREGOR VS. GEORG

1. Complex Plot

Gregor's pathetic death ends the trials and tribulations that were set off by his metamorphosis.

2. Ordinary PlotGeorg’s engagement is called off after his death. His relationship with his father is not restored.

He found peace.Done out of duty.

Frustration.Surrendered/Gave up.

CONCLUSION

Differences

SimilaritiesENDING

A choice was made.

Gregor dies.

Relieved by Gregor's death, the family takes the day off and

goes out for a trip to the country. Mr. and Mrs.

Samsa notice that Grete has become

a marriageable young woman.

Georg commit suicide by

plugging himself into the water.

“Dear parents, I have always loved you nonetheless.”