Week 2: Into the Absurd: Exploring Kafka and the Kafkaesque

Week Breakdown

Monday the 2nd
- Watch and take notes on the video on Franz Kafka.
- Write down the definition of Lexicon #15: Kafkaesque and Lexicon #16: Extended Metaphor
- Watch and take notes on what is Kafkaesque in the TEDEd video on Kafka.
- Today's reading will be "A Little Fable" by Franz Kafka.
- Today's practice will be unpacking "A Little Fable" by answering three questions in your notebook.
Tuesday the 3rd - Wednesday the 4th
- Write down the definition of Lexicon #17: Metamorphosis and Lexicon #18: Masochism, masochistic
- Read, annotate, and discuss pages 1-8 of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis.
- Answer today's practice questions for the reading in your notebook, ensuring you use two quotes to receive full credit.
Thursday the 5th - Friday the 6th
- Read, annotate, and discuss pages 9-20 of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis.
- Review the chapter by reading the graphic novel version.
- Briefly explore graphic novel terms and components for inspiration.
- Create an illustration of your scene The Metamorphosis in your notebook, on a separate piece of paper, or on a canvas.

Monday the 2nd

Franz Kafka, Master of the Absurd

Who was Franz Kafka?
(0:00-2:54, 7:29-8:21)
The rest is bonus!

Literature - Franz Kafka by The School of Life.mp4

Franz Kafka (1883-1924)

Franz Kafka was a Czech-born writer of German-Jewish heritage whose works are renowned for their exploration of existential anxiety, alienation, and the absurdity of modern life. Writing primarily in German, Kafka created surreal and strange narratives that delve into the human condition, or what it means to be human, often portraying protagonists trapped in bewildering and oppressive systems. His most famous works include The Metamorphosis, The Trial, and The Castle, which have become literary cornerstones for their profound philosophical and psychological depth.

Despite his modest output and desire for much of his work to be destroyed after his death, Kafka's influence on literature and culture has been immense. His writing reflects the tensions of early 20th-century Europe, blending bleak humor with a deep sense of empathy for the struggles of the individual.

Lexicon #15: Kafkaesque

Definition: Kafkaesque describes situations that are absurdly complex, oppressive, or nightmarish, often involving bizarre rules and regulations, helplessness, and a sense of existential dread.

Example: you're trapped in an endless loop of phone calls with customer service, where each representative transfers them to another department, no one can solve the issue, and you are left feeling powerless and frustrated by the nonsensical system.

Bonus content: The suffix -esque is used to form adjectives meaning "in the style of," "resembling," or "characteristic of" a specific person, place, or thing. It often conveys a sense of distinctiveness or artistic likeness.

"What is makes something Kafkaesque?" TEDEd video

What makes something Kafkaesque - Noah Tavlin.mp4

Today's reading: Franz Kafka's "A Little Fable"

Lexicon #16: Extended metaphor

Definition: A comparison between two unlike things that is developed across multiple sentences, paragraphs, or an entire work.

A metaphor: Johnny is a fridge; he's cold inside.

An over-the-top extended metaphor created by ChatGPT: Johnny is a fridge: he's steady, reliable, always standing in the same corner, humming quietly as life buzzes around him. He holds the weight of others’ needs, his shelves stacked with hopes, dreams, and burdens placed there by others. People come to him when they’re hungry for comfort, swinging open his doors without hesitation, expecting cool reassurance or something to fill the emptiness inside.

Sometimes, he's overstocked, crammed full with more than they can handle, doors barely able to shut. Other times, he is empty, with nothing left to give, his light flickering dimly as he waits to be restocked. Yet, despite the wear and tear, he keeps running—faithful, dependable, even if no one stops to appreciate the quiet labor of keeping everything preserved.

Today's practice: Unpacking the meaning of Cat and Mouse
Requirements: At least 3 sentences per question written in your notebook for full credit!

What do you think the mouse represents in this fable? How do its thoughts and actions reflect its circumstances?

Sentence starter: The mouse represents...

What is the significance of the cat at the end of the story? How does its presence shift the tone and message of the fable?

Sentence starter: It's significant because...

How does the concept of inevitability or fate play out in the story? Do you think the mouse has any control over its situation? Why or why not?

Sentence starter: The story speaks to the idea of inevitability by... or The mouse does/does not have control because...

Tuesday the 3rd - Wednesday the 4th

The Beginning: Gregor tries to get out of bed

Lexicon #17: Metamorphosis

Definition: Metamorphosis is a profound change in form, structure, or nature. It often refers to biological transformations, such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, but can also describe significant personal or symbolic changes.

Today's Practice: The Metamorphosis Questions for pages 1-8

Requirements: Use at least two quotes to back up your claims for full credit.

1. Why might turning into a large bug be suitable for an extended metaphor of the modern worker today?

(Think about how workers are often treated in the work place, whether their jobs are secure or if they are easily replaced, how Gregor's boss views him and his efforts.)

2. Why is it significant that Gregor rationalizes or ignores his pain and transformation as he contemplates going to work, what's most important to him?

(Consider his focus on his duties, relationship with his boss, fear of job loss, and dismissal of his own needs in favor of his role as a worker.)

Today's Reading: The Metamorphosis, pages 1-8

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.docx

Lexicon #18: Masochism, masochistic

Definition: Finding some kind of enjoyment or pleasure in pain, challenges, or difficulty. This could be physical, emotional, or even related to doing something hard that others might avoid.

Used in a sentence:

1. I reckon you need to be into masochism to run marathons.
2. Her decision to keep going back to a toxic relationship seemed almost masochistic.

Bonus content: Sadism (sadistic) is the tendency to derive pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. Sadomasochism (sadomasochistic) combines both sadism and masochism, where individuals find mutual satisfaction in giving and receiving pain or humiliation.

The Graphic Novel version of The Metamorphosis illustrated by Peter Kuper

Pages 1-2

Pages 3-4

Pages 5-6

Pages 7-8

Pages 9-10

Pages 11-12

Pages 13-14

Thursday the 5th - Friday the 6th

Thursday's Reading: Unlocking the door and Gregor's big reveal! (pages 9-15)

Friday's Reading: Gregor chases after his job (pages 15-20)

Let's review before we do today's assignment!

Pages 15-16

Pages 17-18

Pages 19-20

Page 21 (end of chapter 1)

Friday's Practice: Illustrating a Scene!

Objective: Create a one to four panel illustration of the scene in The Metamorphosis that you find the most interesting, funny, or bizarre! Be sure to capture the mood, the action, and the humor!

Requirements

Your panels must use at least one quote from the novella (The Metamorphosis).
You must write a short artist statement where you draw attention to your inspiration, explanation of your favorite panel, or your intentions of highlighting some character's actions or thoughts. This should be at least five sentences long.

Example outline of the chase scene on pages 15-20:

Panel 1: Set the scene. Show Gregor’s perspective or the chief clerk’s reaction at the metamorphosized Gregor.
Panel 2: Highlight the chase. How does Gregor's transformation affect the dynamics? How would the chief clerk look as he ran and how would the desperate Gregor appear as he chases him?
Panel 3: Show the family's reaction to Gregor's chase.
Panel 4: Show the outcome or how the family "solves" this issue!

Graphic Novel terms and components

Frames and panels

Panel arrangement

It's all about perspective!

Perspective refers to the angle or viewpoint from which a scene is drawn. It helps create depth, focus attention, and convey emotions or actions, such as using close-ups for intensity or wide shots to show the setting.

Special-effect lettering

Special-effect lettering is when words like "BOOM" or "CRASH" are written in bold, colorful, or fun styles to show sounds or actions. It helps make the story more exciting and dramatic.

Speech bubbles

Speech bubbles are shapes that hold the characters' dialogue or thoughts. They show who is speaking and can change in size, style, or outline to match tone, volume, or emotion.

Emanata

Emanata are small visual symbols or lines in graphic novels that show a character's emotions, reactions, or actions. For example, sweat drops for nervousness, question marks for confusion, or motion lines for movement.

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