stop buggin' me

In Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis", Gregor the protagonist is described to be a giant insect but it is arguable about whether he is really a bug or its just a metaphorical comparison. Kafka meshes the reality of Gregor's life to the fantasy of him transforming into a bug.

The beginning of the story starts out with descriptions of his transformation such as "He was lying on his hard, as it were armor-plated, back and when he lifted his head a little he could see his domelike brown belly divided into stiff arched segments on top of which the bed quilt could hardly keep in position and was about to slide off completely."(p. 89) He is described as a physical being with the parts of an insect. Along with that, his habits such as hiding under the couch, his inability to get out of bed due to his back, and his liking to fetid foods supports the notion that he may really have turned into an insect.

But then again, there is also the side where this metamorphosis is more symbolic than real. This "transformation" may symbolize the empty, boring life of Gregor. If he really was a bug, why would his family still care for him instead of trying to kill him? The transformation can be a comparison to Gregor's inability to work anymore. He may be deeply ill and like the description of an actual bug, he can be unable to get out of bed, has a change in appetite, and is growing to be more undesirable. In my opinion, Gregor is metaphorically changed into an insect to show the significance he plays in the family. He is finally turned into this vegetable that cannot do anything to provide for the family and we see how the family reacts to this. Possibly, his change reassures Gregor himself that he is needed in life and that all his work is worth it. Gregor is no longer useful and like a bug, he stays in the house doing nothing but waiting for death and taking up space. Once he had died, his family moved on to a better life making it seem as Gregor's life as a metaphorical bug seem insignificant.

good turned bad

Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, "Young Goodman Brown", is a portrayal of seventeenth-century Puritan society. It is a tale of a young Puritan man who is drawn into a covenant with the Devil which causes him to think differently about his neighborly townsmen. Hawthorne's message within the story is that the positivity in religion does not continuously and dominantly strive. There will always be negativity along with positivity even in the purity of religion because that is the balance of the world. Goodman Brown as a Puritan is taught to believe in the purity of God and is devoted to the church and to take a walk on the dark side forces him to question this purity.

Faith is one of the biggest aspect of religion, but even Brown realized faith can turn bad also. In the beginning of the story, goodman brown had to depart from Faith, his wife. ""What wretch am I, to leave her on such an errand! She talks of dreams, too. Methought, as she spoke, there was trouble in her face, as if a dream had warned her what work is to be done to-night. But, no, no! 't would kill her to think it..."(p. 233) This symbolized him leaving his own faith of God since he is traveling to see the other side of heaven. Faith was worried that her husband will be harmed especially when she cannot be with him just as if actual faith is being drawn apart from him. More over, Faith later on joins Goodman Brown in the dark forest which shocks Brown when he says ""My Faith is gone!" cried he, after one stupefied moment. "There is no good on earth; and sin is but a name. Come, devil! for to thee is this world given.""(p. 238) Even faith, the one pure piece of Brown, has turned towards the devil and it automatically makes Brown doubt purity.

Goody Cloyse is anothe rexample of purity gone wrong. She is Goodman Brown's teacher of cateschism and she represents the "best of the best" of Puritan society. When he sees her in the forest, he exclaims ""That old woman taught me my catechism!" said the young man; and there was a world of meaning in this simple comment."(p. 236) and that showed his doubt in purity once again. Her piety and righteousness are the models he looks up to and to see her as a part of the devil's covanent, shatters those values. He is hurt and confused that such a pure woman would be in the same group as the devil.

There is no such thing as a world full of only purity, innocence, and positivity. Evil will always coincide with good and as a puritan since young, Brown finally realizes that after his adventure in the forest. Even the purest of the purest can be sinful because that is life.

Notification: Miss Emily has joined fb.

WALL:
Toby wrote at 9:13am
Hello madam. What food would you like for lunch today?

Emily wrote on 9:30am
The usual. And don't forget to make enough for three: me, Homer and daddy.

Toby wrote at 9:35am
Yesum.



Above is an image of Emily Grierson which she would post on her facebook to show that she is still stuck in time thinking she is young and beautiful. The conversation also shows how she does not want to feel lonely since she keeps thinking of the two men that she believes will always be by her side. Toby is merely a servant to Miss Emily and does not share any personal friendship with her. If Miss Emily was to get a Facebook page, her page would be pretty blank with privacy settings such as allowing limited people to see her profile, search for her, or to be able to write on her wall. She may have friend requests from fellow townsmen as an act of pity but it would not be a surprise if she rejects their requests. Emily would not allow others to comment on her because people may feel sorry for her and say something that will remind her that her father is dead or how sad her life is now. I do see Toby and Homer Baron to be on her friend list. Toby and Homer are the only two people who come physically in contact with Emily which shows a lot of trust or from Emily. There would be a picture of her and her father in her album along with a picture of her and Homer if there is one. Those pictures will never be taken off since she can not get over the fact that these two people are no longer with her. However, all these settings I have chosen may be wrong since these are all assumptions gathered through gossip by the community and the narrator that creates this possible image of Emily Grierson. This is one version of Emily that we can imagine since no one truly knows the real Miss Emily.