I very much loved your analysis of Kafka's novel. I've spend my weekend watching this video and part one back and forth. And it occur my mind, the possibility of one being alienated due to mental illness . People suffer from depression for instance they show change in interest regarding food, activities, even they way the see the world and how those close to them see them. They don't mind spending days in bed, not taking a shower or having a decent meal not show any interest in doing things they were once very fond of. This is defiantly an alienation as you defined it. Thanks again for the great info. I very much enjoyed it.
I think the alienation of Gregor has already happened when the novel starts. That process results in turning into a bug and realizing it. Maybe the everyday situation he was in alienated him a lot more than he was aware of but suddenly came up from his subconscious and became a fact first for his family and surroundings and then slowly for himself as well. After that begins the other part of alienation on a "conscious level", from his family, from his body, from himself. It is a great novel, so many aspects, so many explanations.
Viktoria Stift Yes, alienation is not an on-off thing like a light switch. Once can be more or less alienated, as well as alienated in multiple manners. One can also talk of it being consciously noted or only implicit
Good reading. For me, Kafka wrote Gregor's death quite poignantly. It wasn't too dramatic, but it does make you feel something. I read Metamorphosis twice before and again before viewing your lectures on Kafka, and Gregor's death still clutches at me. Powerful stuff. Almost bringing me to tears.
Thanks Professor! I just read this book this morning and found your lecture on RUclips. Your analysis really shed light on the subtle details of Mr. Kafka’s book that I would have otherwise overlooked. I felt like I was in college again (as a 50 something y.o.) I will read the other books in your video library and watch your lectures. Liked & subscribed !
Alienation is when a normal person start seeing something which cannot be explained. Cuz he/she thinks that the world might call him crazy. Eg. Opening of pineal gland. We call it metamorphosis. Getting transformed into something new. Feeling alienated. It's like transferring every software from core 2 duo to i5 computer. Feeling are still the same but the brain started functioning from core2duo to i5. Now, a core2duo can never understand the brain of i5 and because i5 brains are very rare, core2duo minds thinks that there is no such things as i5. And metamorphosis talk about the process of transferring files from core2duo to i5. It even talk about the side effects it creates for a person to switch from core2 duo to i5. Kafka is talking about the stage 3 of metamorphosis. Stage 1- person sees the matrix. Stage 2- person does everything to avoid it. Stage 3- person gets stuck between his feelings and outer world. He disconnects himself from outer world because he has that ill mind. He is still carrying that nasty body in which he doesn't feel comfortable anymore. It's not like he woke up someday and found himself as bug. But hes trying to explain that his conscious soul sees his body as a bug. the characters in this book gives an important message to the reader more than Kafka. Every character is a thought of Kafka mind. A person with ADHD will understand every characters role. A sociopath can understand Kafka well. And a person with a bug body will understand the whole metamorphosis. By the way , you did a great job decoding it, Sir.
At around 49:40 , you said that his taste in music did not change, but in the story when gregor is talking about his dream of sending his sister to conservatoire it is narrated "unlike him she loved music". So at the end, when his sister is playing music and he is drawn to it , maybe that's why he thinks to himself that he is such an animal to be drawn to it. (unlike the past , when he was a human)
mrperfectprashant I think that the fact that he appreciates the music is one reason why he feels he is still a human being. An animal wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of music but Gregor does and since he does, he must be still human on the inside. I know this posts was from three years ago but I am just watching it now and I’m enjoying it very much. I bought a copy of Kafka’s short stories for my grown son and and the analysis helps me to discuss the story w him. Thanks very much for posting.
Gregory !! this is the best channel on youtube from my point of view. I really hope that you continue, and I wish you the best of luck out there. Thank you so much for your channel's rich content.
Glad to read that you enjoy it - and I've got plans to keep turning out about 250-300 new videos each coming year! If you'd like to help support my ongoing work, check out my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/sadler
the moment you started mentioning alienation I immediately was able to put into words how I have been feeling every since my break up. Alienated. Maybe because in change we do not recognise a piece of ourselves, breaking one part while still having the other is very conflicting. So when you mentioned "or the other way around, finding out someone you thought loved you but instead didnt" yes. Simply yes. Also Id love to ask if you think there is any analogy in metamorphosis por childcarer and family dynamics. I felt it was an amazing way to show how a caretaker child feels once they say no to no longer taking care of the family, seeing how they could infact take care of their own, but now because he no longer provides he is this horrible vermin, they see him as one and he in no moment goes through a realisation moment: he just is. Maybe because he feels that way too, when your whole family makes you feel horrible and shuns you when you no longer provide
This helped alot with my Disseratation! thanks alot, is there any kind of citation that i can use for i have paraphrased some of your words :) ? Thanks in advance.
Gregor's role has reversed with his family, but only his sister can even bring herself to care and eventually out of self preservation she gives in to the darker side. There are no winners here. It is sacrificing the lamb but without appeasing God, appeasing something else.
Gregory B. Sadler I suppose there are really "winners" because the whole incident prompts Gregor's family to get their act together and that in a sense is a positive thing...for them. At what price though? Gregor's life. It seems very similar to what can be identified as co-dependency and counter dependency in a dysfunctional family. Gregor is the adult child of a dysfunctional family, he never learns to become an adult because he is stuck in his family unit paradigm. He cannot advocate or set boundaries for himself because he is still looking for the approval of his family instead of being self differentiated. This story I think is even more pertinent today as the level of family dysfunction in the family unit is more prevalent than ever. Could it be that Kafka predicted things to come from extrapolating the algorithm from the nascent post industrial world? I think so since it seems demonstrable in our extant social structure. Maybe the sacrifice of Gregor was to appease the gods of the post industrial urban society and the dysfunction it creates either intended or unintended or both and frees his family from it's dysfunction in order for them to grow as individuals. Ultimately, it is Gregor's own fault for not being able to break free from the emotional prison he created for himself and becoming a self differentiated individual.
I base it on reading Kafka's text. I've read both Sartre and Deleuze, but why, if my goal is to understand something by Kafka, would I want to bring their thought in as a substitute for actually engaging Kafka?
Firstly, thank you for posting these videos Dr Sadler. At 7:27 you cite 'I' and 'Me' remarks to Bachtein? Please could I have the correct spelling of his name, and if you have time the text you're referring to? Many thanks ~ Rakesh
It’s interesting how there’s three transformations in this story, with the first metamorphosis of Gregor as monster, then the father from elderly man to productive worker and then the development of the sister from dependent teenager to woman.
It is still hard for me to understand what the author wanted to tell us by this story, could anyone give me an example of so called alienation? Thank you
I know the term alienation, but i would like to know why did it happen and in what sense does so called kafka's alienation exists in our society? Could you please give me an exaple? Thank you
George Bejashvili I did quite a bit of that in the video, and distinguished three different main areas of alienation. Here's one example: Gregor is alienated from his family by his transformation -- they come to treat him as something other (i.e. alien) than who he was.
the second video on this short work -- focusing specifically on the theme of alienation in the text
I very much loved your analysis of Kafka's novel. I've spend my weekend watching this video and part one back and forth. And it occur my mind, the possibility of one being alienated due to mental illness . People suffer from depression for instance they show change in interest regarding food, activities, even they way the see the world and how those close to them see them. They don't mind spending days in bed, not taking a shower or having a decent meal not show any interest in doing things they were once very fond of.
This is defiantly an alienation as you defined it. Thanks again for the great info. I very much enjoyed it.
I think the alienation of Gregor has already happened when the novel starts. That process results in turning into a bug and realizing it. Maybe the everyday situation he was in alienated him a lot more than he was aware of but suddenly came up from his subconscious and became a fact first for his family and surroundings and then slowly for himself as well. After that begins the other part of alienation on a "conscious level", from his family, from his body, from himself. It is a great novel, so many aspects, so many explanations.
Viktoria Stift Yes, alienation is not an on-off thing like a light switch. Once can be more or less alienated, as well as alienated in multiple manners. One can also talk of it being consciously noted or only implicit
Good reading. For me, Kafka wrote Gregor's death quite poignantly. It wasn't too dramatic, but it does make you feel something. I read Metamorphosis twice before and again before viewing your lectures on Kafka, and Gregor's death still clutches at me. Powerful stuff. Almost bringing me to tears.
Glad you found the video useful!
Thanks Professor! I just read this book this morning and found your lecture on RUclips. Your analysis really shed light on the subtle details of Mr. Kafka’s book that I would have otherwise overlooked. I felt like I was in college again (as a 50 something y.o.) I will read the other books in your video library and watch your lectures. Liked & subscribed !
Glad you found it useful!
Alienation is when a normal person start seeing something which cannot be explained. Cuz he/she thinks that the world might call him crazy. Eg. Opening of pineal gland. We call it metamorphosis. Getting transformed into something new. Feeling alienated. It's like transferring every software from core 2 duo to i5 computer. Feeling are still the same but the brain started functioning from core2duo to i5. Now, a core2duo can never understand the brain of i5 and because i5 brains are very rare, core2duo minds thinks that there is no such things as i5. And metamorphosis talk about the process of transferring files from core2duo to i5. It even talk about the side effects it creates for a person to switch from core2 duo to i5. Kafka is talking about the stage 3 of metamorphosis. Stage 1- person sees the matrix. Stage 2- person does everything to avoid it. Stage 3- person gets stuck between his feelings and outer world. He disconnects himself from outer world because he has that ill mind. He is still carrying that nasty body in which he doesn't feel comfortable anymore. It's not like he woke up someday and found himself as bug. But hes trying to explain that his conscious soul sees his body as a bug. the characters in this book gives an important message to the reader more than Kafka. Every character is a thought of Kafka mind. A person with ADHD will understand every characters role. A sociopath can understand Kafka well. And a person with a bug body will understand the whole metamorphosis. By the way , you did a great job decoding it, Sir.
That can be one kind of alienation. Seeing something other's don't see is definitely not the only kind
At around 49:40 , you said that his taste in music did not change, but in the story when gregor is talking about his dream of sending his sister to conservatoire it is narrated "unlike him she loved music".
So at the end, when his sister is playing music and he is drawn to it , maybe that's why he thinks to himself that he is such an animal to be drawn to it. (unlike the past , when he was a human)
Could be
mrperfectprashant I think that the fact that he appreciates the music is one reason why he feels he is still a human being. An animal wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of music but Gregor does and since he does, he must be still human on the inside. I know this posts was from three years ago but I am just watching it now and I’m enjoying it very much. I bought a copy of Kafka’s short stories for my grown son and and the analysis helps me to discuss the story w him. Thanks very much for posting.
Great explanation and point of view! opened my perspective on this book, and about being alienated from oneself.
Glad it was useful for you
Gregory !! this is the best channel on youtube from my point of view. I really hope that you continue, and I wish you the best of luck out there. Thank you so much for your channel's rich content.
Glad to read that you enjoy it - and I've got plans to keep turning out about 250-300 new videos each coming year!
If you'd like to help support my ongoing work, check out my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/sadler
the moment you started mentioning alienation I immediately was able to put into words how I have been feeling every since my break up. Alienated. Maybe because in change we do not recognise a piece of ourselves, breaking one part while still having the other is very conflicting. So when you mentioned "or the other way around, finding out someone you thought loved you but instead didnt" yes. Simply yes.
Also Id love to ask if you think there is any analogy in metamorphosis por childcarer and family dynamics. I felt it was an amazing way to show how a caretaker child feels once they say no to no longer taking care of the family, seeing how they could infact take care of their own, but now because he no longer provides he is this horrible vermin, they see him as one and he in no moment goes through a realisation moment: he just is. Maybe because he feels that way too, when your whole family makes you feel horrible and shuns you when you no longer provide
Glad the video was useful for you
This helped alot with my Disseratation! thanks alot, is there any kind of citation that i can use for i have paraphrased some of your words :) ?
Thanks in advance.
I think the various citation methods have sections on online resources - so you'll want to see what they say
i have found a method using APA citation for how to cite a RUclips Video but thank you so much anyway :)!
Yay! (applause, applause, applause) I very much enjoyed both videos as a fan of both The Metamorphosis and philosophy. Thanks, Dr. Sadler.
You're welcome!
Very minute and clear analysis. Thank you very much!
I am out there and I do appreciate what YOU are doing. (Alienation discussion).
Thanks!
This story sounds amazing, I can't wait to read it.
It is well worth the read
Found a link to it, I am going to read it tonight. www.gutenberg.org/files/5200/5200-h/5200-h.htm
@@kansascityraver Have you read it in the meanwhile?
It says something about the quality of this short story , when a lecture about it takes longer than the actual read
There's a lot to delve into
Gregor's role has reversed with his family, but only his sister can even bring herself to care and eventually out of self preservation she gives in to the darker side. There are no winners here. It is sacrificing the lamb but without appeasing God, appeasing something else.
budcat7 I suppose it depends on what you mean by "winners".
Gregory B. Sadler I suppose there are really "winners" because the whole incident prompts Gregor's family to get their act together and that in a sense is a positive thing...for them. At what price though? Gregor's life. It seems very similar to what can be identified as co-dependency and counter dependency in a dysfunctional family. Gregor is the adult child of a dysfunctional family, he never learns to become an adult because he is stuck in his family unit paradigm. He cannot advocate or set boundaries for himself because he is still looking for the approval of his family instead of being self differentiated. This story I think is even more pertinent today as the level of family dysfunction in the family unit is more prevalent than ever. Could it be that Kafka predicted things to come from extrapolating the algorithm from the nascent post industrial world? I think so since it seems demonstrable in our extant social structure. Maybe the sacrifice of Gregor was to appease the gods of the post industrial urban society and the dysfunction it creates either intended or unintended or both and frees his family from it's dysfunction in order for them to grow as individuals. Ultimately, it is Gregor's own fault for not being able to break free from the emotional prison he created for himself and becoming a self differentiated individual.
Thanks a lot for your fascinating analysis.
You're welcome!
Hi, in wich filosofers you base your fundamentation about the things you says on the videos?? Deleuze? Sartre? greetins from argentina!
I base it on reading Kafka's text.
I've read both Sartre and Deleuze, but why, if my goal is to understand something by Kafka, would I want to bring their thought in as a substitute for actually engaging Kafka?
Firstly, thank you for posting these videos Dr Sadler. At 7:27 you cite 'I' and 'Me' remarks to Bachtein? Please could I have the correct spelling of his name, and if you have time the text you're referring to? Many thanks ~ Rakesh
+Rakesh Parmar Bakhtin -- and that's a theme you'll find in a number of his works
+Gregory B. Sadler thank you!
Very Good Thank You
+Ian O Sullivan You're welcome
nicely done. thanks.
You're welcome!
Like the follow-up x)
Glad to read it
It’s interesting how there’s three transformations in this story, with the first metamorphosis of Gregor as monster, then the father from elderly man to productive worker and then the development of the sister from dependent teenager to woman.
Indeed
Wonderful lecture!Finally I get it.
Irene Shaw;Canada 2020
Glad you enjoyed it
It is still hard for me to understand what the author wanted to tell us by this story, could anyone give me an example of so called alienation? Thank you
I know the term alienation, but i would like to know why did it happen and in what sense does so called kafka's alienation exists in our society? Could you please give me an exaple? Thank you
George Bejashvili I did quite a bit of that in the video, and distinguished three different main areas of alienation. Here's one example: Gregor is alienated from his family by his transformation -- they come to treat him as something other (i.e. alien) than who he was.
Critical Thinking, Logic, and Argumentation thank you!
George Bejashvili
Oops, responded from the wrong channel -- I have to toggle back and forth from one to the other