Blog Questions 1&4

1. The illustrations of Kafka's Metamorphosis differ from one another. Mairowitz and Crumb's illustrations are more realistic and remain true to the story while Kuper's version is darker and more vivid. Kuper also depicts Gregor having a human-like head on the body of a bug showing that Gregor hasn't completely lost himself during the transformation. The illustrations in a way confirm my interpretation of the novella; however, the two artists took liberties in changing certain parts of each scene and adding their own interpretations of how the characters look and act therefore distorting Kafka's original work. The way I envisioned Metamorphosis somewhat conflicts with their illustrations. Kuper might've chose to illustrate in black and white rather in color because it represents conformity. Colors are unique and depict happiness and cheer while black and white is simple, lacks individuality, and is gloomy/depressing. This is why his choice was so effective because it made an impact on the overall mood of the graphic novel.

4. Kuper is more sympathetic towards Gregor because he illustrates Gregor as being stuck in a dead-end job forced to work for a man who treats him poorly. Kafka focuses more on the conformist side of Gregor instead of focusing on the reasons why he enjoys conformity. Moreover, the father's attitude towards Gregor in Kafka's novella is not as harsh as Kuper's drawing of him violently beating Gregor with his cane. In a way, humor can be found in Gregor's metamorphosis since he turns into the very creature he's acted like all his life. I find that there is more humor in the illustrations of Metamorphosis than in the novella. The illustrations of the family's and the manager's reactions to Gregor being a bug appeared comical rather than serious.

WHAT IF YOU WOKE UP AS A “VERMIN”?

I know for one thing, I would not be able to carry on through my day after discovering I was a giant bug. I understand maybe at first being in denial and thinking the whole situation was just a dream. But after a few seconds of realizing that I can't walk or speak, I'd accept that I was a bug and I'd try to get my body back to normal.
My initial thoughts would probably be "what did I eat last night to make me turn into a bug?" Then after analyzing everything I did the night before, I'd come up with excuse to why I can't come outside until I was human again...
Gregor doesn't have more wakeful and responsive thoughts because he's so used to his daily routine that he doesn't know how to comprehend change. Honestly, if I lived a life exactly like Gregor's I'd probably react the same way.

Wealth, Morality, & The Reality Behind Conrad’s Heart of Darkness

Where a person resides on the social scale is often related with moral upbringing and overall behavior. In Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Conrad demonstrates through his characters how this common belief is clearly false. Kurtz grew up in a decent household, had a good education, and is at the top of the social scale. Marlow, however, does not have the advantages that Kurtz has. He is more of a drifter who has yet to discover himself. Normally, one would assume that Kurtz having a better life and a stronger education would have a stronger moral code than someone like Marlow. But the reality is, Marlow retains his values while Kurtz abandons them in his quest for power. Ultimately, this will be Kurtz’s downfall. Through Kurtz and Marlow, Conrad demonstrates how wealth and social statuses don’t determine moral codes; instead, people are born with a good versus evil complex and it’s up to them to listen to their conscience or to follow the id.


--I realized I didn't post my intro paragraph....whoops