The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Book Club #5
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- I'm joined by Dan as we discuss Kafka's most famous work - Die Verwandlung, or The Metamorphosis!
What did you think about the book? Leave your comment below :)
We basically just chatted about the book for twenty minutes and this video is the lightly edited summary - in it we discuss absurdist fiction, the nature of translating a text and associated socio-cultural factors, metaliterary analysis, and a little bit about Kafka himself. Let me know if you enjoyed this format - we really enjoyed filming it!
Next time we're going to read A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking: www.amazon.co..... It's a classic of physics science communication, talking about large scale cosmology and the story of the universe. I'm excited to be the one on the sofa who's actually an expert in the field for once ;P
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Book club group: / simonoxfphys-book-club
Previous episode: • Sapiens: A Brief Histo...
Book playlist: • Book videos!
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I am Simon, a fourth year PhD candidate at the University of Exeter. I upload videos on bits of science which are relevant to what I do, and sometimes just because they're really cool.
Vlogs from Oxford students - / oxvlog
My twitter - / simonoxfphys
My facebook - / youtubesimon
My insta - / simonoxfphys
My goodreads - / simonoxfphys
Thanks to Vlogbrothers for their sponsorship of this video. Money from the Foundation to Decrease Worldsuck contributed to equipment used in this video. Filmed on a Canon 5D with 24-70mm l series lens, audio on a Rode NTG2 into Zoom H4N.
The sister was my favorite character, personally. I found Gregor's death quite sad, and her rejection of him just before that the most memorable part of the book.
Spending time editing cockroach thumbnails over doing PhD work. Got to say, I approve!
I was talking to a classmate and it turned out that we both had started listening to the audiobook at the same time
And I got interested in the metamorphisis because of you two so naturally I sent this video to my friend
the response was "They look like dweebs
I like em"
:D take this as a compliment
professional editing on the thumbnail
Here's my interpretation of the Metamorphosis. I read it in French so ... yup let's do this. And SPOILERS ALERT.
Gregor Samsa's journey is an analogy with what a patient with no cure may experience.
i) Unveiling the ailment
Gregor's unstoppable urge to go to work comes from the sensation of invincibility everyone has when facing with any injury. We think we can overcome any sickness by blinding ourselves from its symptoms, until it pins us down to bed.
ii) The coffin
We spend the whole book stuck with Gregor in his bedroom. After his firsts steps with his new weakened body (which creates a bond of depency with his sister), Gregor accepts his uncapability to go to the .
iii) Relationships deterioration
Concerning the relation between Grete and Gregor, contrary to the beginning when she tries her best please Gregor's appetite with multiple choices of meal, the deliveries become less and less attentive, transforming into more of a duty that a hint of care. In general, his downfall into loneliness (only the houselady/nurse is not afraid of his new appearance) is materialised by the dirt which slowly covers his room..
iv) The world vs me
The three strangers represent life advancing while Gregor was imprisoned in his fortress of solitude. Everything seems new to him because of his forced sleep and we are eager to judge people despite our lack of understanding.
v) The end
Because perceived as a burden, no longer useful, as he was, to his family, stranger in an environment which rejects his new appearance, he decides to put an end to his sufferings.
To conclude, this is the reverse-Metamorphosis of a butterfly whose wings have been cut and who seeks rest in a cocoon, not knowing that will eventually suffocate him in silence.
PS: I ordered my English copy of so see you soon :D
Great analysis - thanks for commenting! And looking forward to seeing your take on the Hawking :)
Simon you never cease to amaze me with your intelligence - before discovering this channel, I did not think it possible for someone to be good at everything. I was, indeed, incredibly wrong
Did I see Dan wink at the end there? My, my my.
I absolutely adore Dan! He should have his own channel! And pleeeeeeeeeeeease bring him more to these Book Club videos! Loooooved his input!!!
The funny thing is, as a German, I had always considered the English word "vermin" refer to rats. The German word "Ungeziefer" refers to cockroaches and bugs and the like. Apparently, in middle high German the term meant "animal unsuitable to be sacrificed", which kind of urges me to do a Marxist reading.
Also, Kafka grew up a German in Prag which at the time was ruled by Austria.
I recently visited the Kafka museum in Prague. It's amazing, would highly recommend it to any fan of Franz Kafka
Looking forward to tackling, 'A Brief History of Time' for next the Book Club!
I know I'm years too late lol...but the fact that everyone was so relieved that he died and they didn't have to deal with him...he wasn't a "burden" anymore was sad, even though he was the sole provider for the family before transforming...the way they were able to move on so easily from losing a brother and a son.
The fact that he even died was surprising for me too...
Great video! Can't wait for the next one!! My opinion on "Die Verwandlung": When it comes to german classics (especially Franz Kafka) i highly recommend comparing Kafkas life with Gregor's ("Brief an den Vater" says it all). For example, their surnames are realllly similar. SAMSA=KAFKA. One thing, that also caught my attention, was that every room has direct access to Gregor's room, meaning that he is the provider of the family (3 doors to his room, one for each family member).
Currently studying this book in my German A2 course after having read it in English a few years ago and finding it fascinating looking at the whole issue of translation and the different implications that arise as a result of language.
How convenient. I write a longer exam about this tomorrow
really nice discussion, cant wait to read it later this year in my german class! also dan sounded adorable pronouncing verfremdungseffekt :+)
For the longest time I only knew the first sentence of the story, because that was the only part about which we talked in school. So it was really interesting to read the rest of it. I really enjoyed how bizarre it was, even though I found it quite sad in general. What I really liked where the changes in the father and the sister and how they started to be more responsible for the family in a way. The only part I did not understand where the three logers, I can't really see what they should symbolise.
I also really enjoyed the style of this video. It was really interesting to follow your conservation about the book. Especially because you two so different backgrounds. I'm defiently looking forward to more Book Club videos with Dan.
Great interpretation and analysis, but I think you should've also gone a bit into autobiographical relations, like Kafkas own bad relationship to his father and family/surroundings ("Letter to His Father"), or that he was very introverted and seclusive etc. just like the protagonist portrayed here is. I think thats a very important part for understanding this work and others.
Thank you for doing the book club series Simon! I read the Metamorphosis when I was a junior in high school. Now I just order a copy of Sapiens; can't wait!! Greetings from Mexico.
Do you think if Gregor was shown more human kindness, his metamorphosis may have been reversed? He regained some of his humanity when he heard his mother's voice for the first time in many months after being pretty much abandoned...
He regained humanity again when he heard his sister's music... He is such a likable character and I feel sick about the injustice of his horrific fate.
ive been looking for an excuse to read a brief history of time for ages now. Thanks Simon
I enjoyed having two perspectives on this book review!! Thank you guys.
You really understand it if you have read this in german.
JNA ETNSR I agree!
I looked the red spot on your nose the whole time O.O
Great book, it's been years
One of my favorite books. I read it in German for my Abitur (A level).
I love this series its so entertaining thanks and keep it up!!
Actually, Kafka was born in Prague, then part of Austria-Hungary
I’m glad I wasn’t crazy when I started giggling at the story. The absurdity of a dude waking up as a giant insect and thinking “oh good heavens it’s a quarter past seven! I better catch the eight o clock train or my boss will be very upset with me!” is the exact kinda humor I love.
My buddy who got me interested in reading it told me it was this insanely gross and disgusting story, and I honestly didn’t get much of that.
That ending was the best part. xD
I am german and read it. And I actually imagined him as a giant cockroach so I guess "cockroach" was the right choice as a translation.
rather a series of unfortunate events, pardon the pun.
Paul Edwards nice
There is also the theory that everything Gregor sees/feels is imagined. We had to debate that in our German exam
I didn't like die verwandlung. As you say, it reads like it contains a much deeper meaning yet when I read it, I couldn't really figure out what it was. Sure there were deeper points but it's as if I missed some kind of overarching idea. For example, the food evolves much like his life; it starts out good, slowly turns to shit until it fizzles out at the end. Surely there is something deeper here...
Near the end I was hoping they'd shoot him just to get it over with.
right but also there's the lense of the translated "vermin" being an allegory for both the character and kafka being jewish and the notion of jewish isolation in an antisemitic, pre-WWII germany, seeing as it is a common slur for jews. i think thats a pretty integral part of the context of the translation and political/personal history.
Ah of course yes. It's telling I suppose that we've come so far that the idea that Kafka might be referring to Jews as 'vermin' is so ridiculous that we never even considered it!
i wish that were the case...im jewish and believe me, the same rhetoric is still being used by antisemites :/
It's a little bit strange to me: a long time ago as I grew up I would have despised the idea of a book club. Really sad for past me, because I enjoy yours very much.
Read Hawking's book as a teenager but will refresh my memory to dive into the discussion more well prepared. BTW how do you (all of you, not only Simon) think of Hawking's later books? I think his first one (was it actually his first? have to research.) was the best. But perhaps I should give them another try. Times are changing, so do we...
DON'T READ THIS COMMENT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK. Keep in mind that the father was kinda able to relate to Gregor near the end of the book when he has to work, and Gregor isn't the only one who went through a metamorphosis. The sister goes through one too.
Hi Simon i liked this video. Just a tip: maybe you could delete the background white noise in audacity as its a bit annoying
Not a Fucking Goat yeah sorry I missed it during editing as I made the mistake of not wearing headphones - won't happen again!
nice :)
Have you ever read Nathan The Wise or The Sorrows Of Young Werther? They are 2 books from german litterature I would highly recommend reading. "Lineman Thiel" is also one of my favorites. I can not say however how good the books are in english as I have only read them in german.
It took me two years after reading these 'books' in school to actually appreciate their goodness.
But I had this awakening JUST NOW when I read your comment.....it's one of the weird things that proof that you are ...like growing up...MY BRAIN IS NOT COPING
About the video: It was interesting when Science and Humanities Area talks about books.
Read Coetzee's Disgrace!
You have the best roomate ever.
Oh I've read it already
The thumbnail is not the best but I love Dan so...
I like the mugs
Simon, do you do Public Speaking? You are so well spoken and I was wondering whether you had practiced clear speech before making a youtube channel.
Daniel Brito I'm not 100% sure, but I think he said somewhere that he did a lot of debating.
Yeah I did a lot of public speaking and debating before starting RUclips, it was a really big influence on my style :)
Yeah I can tell! Do you have any tips on public speaking for a beginner like me? Kind of like where to find practice and such.
Simon Clark could you please make a video about debating, that would be really great! Because i am beginner at debating, so i would really appreciate this kind of video from a professional:) Thank you in advance:)
do a book club on the book dianetics
I have a question but I need to ask you. when you have a lot of works from past and more and more in future but your main enemy sleep is making you fall behind from all I am in that kind of position. what you have done.
Nice
First book club vid I've watched and I only clicked cos Dan is cute :P
Hahahah at the ending... so good... :'D
Hi Simon , can you do these book club reviews more often ?
I plan on doing them (or other book content) roughly once a month, so more frequently than I have in the past!
Brilliant-- could u do a Christmas carol-- we are doing it for gcse xx
Ay, I read that for school
after 12 hours at a stretch college, private I am exhausted, can't give enough time to anything and study on my own very much, can't stay late at night for study. can you solve my problem simon?
It sounds like you're overworking yourself - within that 12 hours you need to take some breaks or you're going to burn out. When you're better rested you'll find that you're able to work better in the time that you have available to you
I wonder how many points Dan received on his IB Diploma out of 45.?
Have you read the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov? Absolutely incredible series.
I've been wanting to for some time - I'll get on it when I submit my thesis!
Fantastic, I'll expect a comprehensive review within a week. Chop chop! Good luck with the final stretch of the thesis!
Can anyone tell me what year Dan is in, thanks.
Yes in the second year of his undergrad :)
Simon Clark Thanks Simon! Also just want you to know your channel has really taught me a lot about university life and doing a phd. Keep it up!
I really enjoyed Metamorphosis, couldn't make it to the end of Sapiens because it was so bad, not a fan of Hawking, so hopes aren't high for the next one ;^/
What did you not like about Sapiens?
Simon Clark It started well, then the author started spewing their own totally unsupported bullshit theories about stuff, and I gave up on it.
Hmmm interesting - what kind of stuff did you object to as being bullshit?
Simon Clark As many others have pointed out on GoodReads he has an overly romanticised idea of the hunter-gatherer life and therefore assumes anything that isn't that was a horrible mistake, a horrible mistake we would all change if we could, but it was too late. is a prime example of the bullshit I objected to. It's possible he returned to the quality of the earlier part of the book after he got that out of his system, but I could no longer take him seriously, so dropped it.
Prague was in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, not Prussia.
i feel bad for saying this but did anybody find gregor cute ? like in a very weird way
Does Dan do RUclips?
We will be doing more videos together in the future - both on this channel and on a second one (hopefully soon!)
Simon Clark Wow i thought you and Dan were the same age didnt realise he was a lot younger
Boyssss
I'm sorry but just listening to you 2 talk about the book was a bit too much for me, I hate imaging it so I won't be reading it.
going through a depressive episode myself, I found the story relatable from the very first moments. The panic of finding oneself in a an indisposition that is shameful to admit or makes you feel like people won't understand it (like mental health) combined with the habit of putting one's well being as no priority at all explains nicely why Gregor would first worry about his work. I think I would too. It was a very heartbreaking read. The way he was struggling to stay himself but was loosing himself more and more just trying to cope. From the first pages I was really angry at his family for making so much depend on him.
And I am quite sure that Kafka had to deal with mental health issues, since it wouldn't be really possible to write such an accurate description of the experience without knowing it.
Awesome video!
yehey thanks Simon and Dan for le book club session :D Myyy, we had this during first year at uni. Also, the Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges was also a bizarre short story yet I enjoyed it~
Dan is amazing do more vids with him !
"monstrous vermin" in my version and it's much better phrase in my opinion...
Kafka was Czech not German!
Also, I wish you would have talked about Kafka's relationship with his father
not prussia, austro-hungary / czechoslovakia
Sounds interesting but weird
Simon, I love this series of programmes. Have you guys read some other books that are about other countries or cultures like African ,East Asian, or South America? I really want to know your perspectives on other cultures. By the way, I watched your videos first for practising speaking for IELTS, but I found that my listening skill(8.5/9) benefited more than speaking (6/9). Sad face
OMG I can't wait for " A Brief History Of Time " book club , looking forward to it . Besides reading the book I watched the movie as well and seriously both of them got me go speechless . So keep it up Simon , and you definitely should do book club with Dan more often because I truly loved the way how you two discussed " The Metamorphosis " which was a mysteriously Psychological/Bizarre/Alienated kind of Typical German Fiction book , I read both versions English and German and it was cool the same as your video together . :P
At first, I thought they'd think that he (the vermin) killed Gregor and they would kill the him... Was there something I missed?
I read this book so many years ago... I have to read it again. I was in 6th grade I think.. I remember not being able to go to sleep.. :) but I had to read it all at once.. I needed to know the end.
I just read it for IB! That’s so amazing finding out that others go through the same things as me
this was an awesome video but i gotta say.. dan is hella fine
Hey Simon were you in IB? (International Bacc...) ?
Nope, A levels!
I found the most interesting development in the book the 'Metamorphosis' of the family members. They start of completely dependend on Gregor, but when Gregor is unable to provide anything, they start doing all kind of work which they never would have done before. If I recall correctly, they rent rooms to strangers, the father goes back to work and the sister starts working aswell. It is as if Gregor was holding everyone back by helping them. The book ends with Gregor dying, which somehow has an incredably positive vibe around it. It is like the familiemembers have lifted some kind of weight of their shoulders and are going to be very happy. It was a very interesting book for sure.
This is really interesting - Gregor was holding everyone back from their potential by doing the work for them, yet the family members weren't doing anything wrong, and weren't 'bad characters'. I guess that's also something that is Kafkaesque - almost like a Catch-22 type deal!