“The Metamorphosis” is a novella by Franz Kafka, first published in 1915. It is often cited as one of the seminal works of fiction of the 20th century and is widely studied in colleges and universities across the Western world. The story begins with a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, waking to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect.
(Also for Three Word Wednesday and ABC Wednesday: "R" is for "Roger")
Here’s this week’s Berownial quiz.
A novella is a type of writing that is normally longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. I wrote the following scenelet to suggest one of the most famous and most popular novellas ever written. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is: give us its title.
Hannah: “Thank God you’re here. I’ve been going out of my mind.”
Bob: “Well, I got here as soon as I could. The traffic was incredible. Now, again, what’s the problem. Roger is sick?”
Hannah: “I don’t know. There’s something awfully wrong with him. He’s locked himself in the bedroom. He’s already very late for work.”
Bob: “And what’s wrong with her?”
Hannah: “Oh, Ruth has had kind of a shock. She seems to have trouble talking. You know how vigilant she is; she got a look at him before he locked the door.”
Bob: “Come on, Ruth. He’s your brother; you two usually don’t keep things from each other. What’s the matter with Rog?”
(Ruth does not respond.)
Bob: “Hannah, how come you haven’t called the doctor?”
Hannah: “Well, it doesn’t seem that he’s sick; it’s just that he’s - well, changed. You’re his best friend; we thought maybe you could talk to him.”
Bob: “Through a locked door?”
Hannah: “Oh, he can hear you. But he doesn’t answer. He just makes, like, weird noises.”
Bob: “This is incredible. (Takes Ruth by the shoulders and shakes her.) Come on, Ruth! I don't mean to trample on your feelings for your brother, but what’s wrong with him? How has he changed?”
Ruth (distraught): “I can’t… You wouldn’t…”
Bob: “I wouldn’t – what? Understand? Try me.”
Hannah: “She’s helpless; she had quite a shock.”
Bob: “Ruth, tell me! You mean that what’s happened to Roger is so awful that you can’t even describe it?”
Ruth: “Yes. That’s it.”
(Also submitted to Sunday Scribblings)
43 comments:
Doc FTSE starts us off with a bang; he's the first with the right answer.
The Metamorphosis??? Spider Man?
aie caramaba!
So there's at least 2 people who have read it! Me and Thee! And where's my cigar?
This made me think - and then I suddenly got it: R.L. Stevenson's 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.' Phew!
Kathe W has also submitted the right answer.
Altonian answered Jekyll/Hyde. An excellent answer but not quite the correct one.
In that case, and after a re-think, let's go for Kafka's 'Metamorphosis'.
That's Kafka's Metamorphosis.
naturgesetz has joined us again and once again has the right answer.
Altonian has had second thoughts and this time has given us the correct answer. According to our home office in Reykjavik, such second efforts are perfectly acceptable.
a Franz Kafka title...I'm working on it!
Hmm, someone going through a metamorphosis... wait, if it isn't Jekyll and Hyde - my 1st inclination - then maybe something by Franz Kafka called Metamorphosis, maybe?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
Oh...wait...I see someone already guessed that incorrectly...let me try again...
not sure at all.. but enjoyed the read anyway.. will wait for the answer this time..
Powerfully drawn , Bero . Reminds me of the football coach who, beratimg his young charge with " well, is it apathy or ignorance ?", to which the hapless young man replied " i domt know and i dont care !" . Laughter .
Roger Owen Green has chimed in with the right answer - congrats.
Not sure of this one but it could be 'Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka.
Oldegg has joined us again and again with the correct answer.
Just saying The Metamorphosis gives me the heebie jeebies. Am I right?
Lyn has joined us again, and again has the right answer.
I'm thinking Kafka's "Metamorphosis."
Either that or it's a portrait of my first marriage!
Another right answer, this one from Sharp Little Pencil.
I am hopeless at the quiz but enjoy reading them. Carver, ABC Wed. Team
Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis! Awesome story - one that I think is read in schools too early and I'm not sure kids get the full impact of this work. Great choice!
"We few, we happy few" have just been joined by Meryl, who has provided us with the right answer.
The Metamorphosis- Kafka
Very good clue writing!
Thanks for the fun!
Another winner. Uberrhund has just coughed up the correct answer.
Is it Metamorphosis ... the Kafka piece?
Well, this week I am stumped. Will have to check back later to find the answer.
Leslie
abcw team
Susan Lindquist has just joined the august band (even tho it's May) of those who have submitted the correct answer.
Oh, you have me. Anxiously waiting for the next installment. Thanks.
I'm not sure if it's a novella but Metamorphosis by Kafka springs..or creeps across the ceiling..to mind..
Another right answer, this one from jaerose.
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Your writing is fabulous and has so much character!
Kafka's The Metamorphosis?
For those who can't think of the answer, can we get a multiple choice of titles to choose from? Or am I alone in not guessing the answer?!
Answer tomorrow, Thursday. Kate has just come in with the right answer.
From Doctor FTSE: Is it
'Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka?
Sometimes I wake to find myself transformed into some type of monstrous being but am usually cured by the second cup of coffee!
I read and very much enjoyed The Metamorphosis I am just horrifically bad at quizzes lol
Oh shucks, got here too late- this week I wanted to share (at the water cooler) being that it's subject seems to be on everyone's mind lately.... (I'm more of a happy endings and romance girl) but whatever floats their boat right!!
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