My Expert #2

After reviewing the four arguments posted in the "Imaginary Panel of Experts", it seems to me that the second expert appears to have been the most accurate in his interpretation of the text. Expert #2 believes that Gregor has transformed into an insect only because Gregor has felt like an insignificant being for so many years. The expert argues that Gregor has always been a disgusting groveling, abject, vermin-like creature his entire life – yet in human form. Only now has Gregor completed his metamorphosis and taken his true identity as an insignificant insect subservient to society.

As my selected expert points out, Gregor has adopted a vermin-like posture towards his family and the other authority figures in his life. Gregor seems to care only to please those around him and believes that he is insignificant to those around him. Even after he discovers he has taken the shape of an insect, Gregor can only think about how he is late for work. Gregor worries about his superiors reaction, Anyway I can still make the eight o’clock train. I’ll be showing up at the office very soon. Please be kind enough to inform them, and convey my best wishes to the director." As Gregor further pleads with his office manager to keep his job he says, "You will, you will let me go, won’t you? You can see, sir, that I’m not stubborn and I’m willing to work; the life of a traveling salesman is hard, but I couldn’t live without it. As you know very well, I am deeply obligated to the director." Again, Gregor grovels to his superiors as an insect just as he had groveled in his human form. Even as a human, Gregor never had given himself enough self-respect. As he continues his transformation into an insect, Gregor finds that he only enjoys eating garbage. As many people say, you are what you eat, and in Gregor’s case, he feels like garage. Even when Gregor rolls over and dies, he is so insignificant that his own family will not even take the time to mourn him. His new insect body severs to exemplify how his inner identity has transformed not only his mind, but also his physical form.

Gregor has been an insignificant insect for years in both his family affairs, and in his interactions with his boss. Gregor’s new physical appearance serves only demonstrate his true sense of worthlessness. Although the other experts provide valid arguments, the second expert’s interpretation of the text provides us with the most appropriate explanation for Gregor’s strange metamorphosis. Gregor’s mental state of worthlessness has finally caught up to his physical perception. Gregor has finally become the disgusting, cringing, abject, vermin that he has always felt he was. (457)

Ivan Ilych Blog

In chapter nine of "Ivan Ilych", Ivan finally realizes that all hope for recovery is lost. After dismissing his aid Gerasim, Ivan weeps in self-pity and begins his unusual "prayer". It appears that he is looking to God for answers for his suffering, but in reality, Ivan is trying to find peace with his tormented soul.
Ivan begins his prayer not by asking for help, but by demanding why he has been plagued by pain. He questions God, "Why hast Thou done all this? Why hast Thou brought me here? Why, why dost Thou torment me so terribly?" Ivan believes he has entered a stage in which he believes that he is being punished for his sins. He believes his pains are no longer from natural causes. His illness is no longer just a physical one, but also an emotional and mental ailment that constantly runs him down.
As Ivan continues with his prayer he shifts away from accusing God and begins to search for an answer within himself. His soul searching begins when he asks, "What is it you want?" All Ivan can answer is that he wishes his life was simple and pleasant, as it was in the old days. Ivan thinks back on his childhood and school days as his happiest memories. Now that he has absorbed himself so deeply in his job and in keeping up with society’s demands, he has lost touch with his family and his old, happy life. He beings to realize his present life is worthless and trivial, and that he has forgotten about all the joys in his life. Ivan can no longer find any lightheartedness, friendship, or hope in his life. Ever since he became consumed in his work, he has lost touch with what used to matter most to him. As his career progressed, he notices that he no longer had time for any happy memories. Ivan realizes that, "It is as if I had been going downhill while I imagined I was going up. I was going up in public opinion, but to the same extent life was ebbing away from me." Ivan comes to the terrible conclusion that his whole life had been a waste. The thought that "maybe I did not live as I ought to have done" suddenly occurs to him. However, Ivan dismisses his bizarre idea, since he is sure that the purpose of life is too succeed and that he had done everything properly. He had done everything according to what society deemed was right. Again, Ivan’s mind has trumped his soul. Although Ivan tries to convince himself that he has lived a good life, his soul is trying to tell him otherwise. (450)