The Metamorphosis

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novella over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Grete and Mrs. Samsa have a difference of opinion about how to treat Gregor based on Mrs. Samsa’s assertion that they should not cater to Gregor’s new state.

• How do these differing opinions demonstrate the conflict inherent in treating illness? (topic sentence)
• In what ways does each perspective demonstrate changing perspectives on Gregor’s role in the family? Discuss with the incorporation of supporting details from the text.
• Which perspective is the more compassionate approach to Gregor? In what way(s)?

2. Each of the family members transforms over the course of the novella as they adjust to their new situation.

• What do these transformations say about the themes of the novella? (topic sentence)
• Provide examples of each character’s changes, the root causes, and how these transformations relate to the overall idea of the novella.
• How and why is Gregor’s transformation fundamentally different from those of his family members?

3.