Lesson 3 | Short Fiction: A Study of Genre | 11th Grade English

Objective

Analyze the impact of Gregor’s transformation on himself and his family members.

Readings and Materials

Book: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka pp. 19 – 31

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Target Task

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Multiple Choice

The main purpose of the first paragraph is to

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Over the course of the chapter, the primary focus shifts from

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Writing Prompt

How does the author use Gregor’s transformation to reveal information about the humanity of other characters in the story? Explain using evidence from the text.

Key Questions

Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding

How has the author developed a sense of chaos in the story thus far? Track further evidence of this in today’s reading.
How has the setting changed? How has it remained the same?
What does paragraph 2 reveal about Gregor? His sister?
What does the narrator’s description of the change in lock and key on p. 20 reveal about the shift in mood in the apartment?
Track how the narrator reveals that Gregor’s preferences and habits are shifting now that he is an insect.
Why does Gregor feel he must stay “calm” according to the narrator on p. 20? What does this reveal about his character and his relationship to his family?
Why do his sister’s actions on p. 21 surprise Gregor? What do they reveal about her? About their relationship?
What do we learn about the family’s financial situation on pp. 22–24? What had been Gregor’s role in the family according to these pages?
Track how the author continues to develop Gregor’s relationship with his sister, Grete. What is the significance of his sister’s decision to leave the sheet on the couch on p. 25?
According to p. 26, how is Gregor adapting to his new body?
Why does Gregor’s mother wait weeks before coming to see him? When she does come, what impact does her voice have on him? (p. 27)
How do the debate and events surrounding the furnishing of Gregor’s room (pp. 26–30) reflect Gregor’s internal conflict? The family’s conflict?
How does Gregor become “shut out” from his family on p. 29? How does he react?
How has the loss of language and inability to communicate impacted Gregor? How does it impact the plot on p. 30?
How has the father’s appearance changed according to p. 30? What do we learn about the relationship between Gregor and his father?
How is Gregor dealing with both the human and insect sides of his personality? Is he becoming more of one than the other? What evidence shows you this?
How are the other characters responding to Gregor as time goes on? How is his transformation impacting them?
How is Kafka using the theme/idea of isolation to further develop the theme of what it means to be human?

Lesson 2

Lesson 4

Lesson Map

The Metamorphosis pp. 7 – 11
“Absurdist Fiction”
“The Myth of Sisyphus”

Define “absurdism” and identify and analyze elements of the absurd in the text.

Identify the author’s tone in the opening pages.

The Metamorphosis pp. 11 – 18
“Franz Kafka”

Analyze how Kafka develops the conflict between Gregor and the other characters.

The Metamorphosis pp. 19 – 31

Analyze the impact of Gregor’s transformation on himself and his family members.

The Metamorphosis pp. 32 – 44

Consider how the author uses the characterization of Gregor and his family to reveal theme.

The Metamorphosis
“The Metamorphosis”

Analyze how the director of the film interprets Kafka’s novella.

Explain verbally and in writing how Kafka uses the elements of absurdism to develop his message about humanity.

“The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” pp. 686 – 689

Note: The text used for this lesson may be difficult to acquire. If you are unable to access the text, you can skip this lesson.

Analyze the impact of the author’s use of realistic fiction to address the same thematic question addressed by Kafka in The Metamorphosis.

Oedipus Rex pp. 3 – 8 — End at "Oedipus retires"
“Oedipus”

Analyze the impact of the playwright’s use of dramatic irony in the opening scene of the play.

Oedipus Rex pp. 8 – 19

Analyze Sophocles’s use of techniques common to his genre to develop Oedipus as a character.

Oedipus Rex pp. 19 – 35

Analyze how Sophocles uses dramatic irony in this section of the play.

Begin to define “hamartia” and identify how Oedipus is contributing to his own tragic ending.

Oedipus Rex pp. 35 – 56

Analyze how Sophocles develops his message about fate and humanity in the final portion of the play.

Writing – 2 days

Oedipus Rex — Whole play

Analyze Sophocles’s message about humanity as he develops it in Oedipus the King.

“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” pp. 105 – 112

Analyze the author’s use of the character of the old man to develop the theme of humanity.

“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” pp. 105 – 112

Reread the story, analyzing it as a satire critiquing both Catholicism and human nature.

Assessment – 3 days

Brainstorm, draft, revise, and finalize an original literary analysis essay.

Discussion

Present analysis of the stories and theme of humanity to a small group of peers.

Short Fiction: A Study of Genre

Objective

Readings and Materials

Target Task

Multiple Choice

Writing Prompt

Key Questions

Lesson Map

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