1. I think it takes a while for Gregor to realize he cannot function as a human in the body of an insect. In this way, I think he “first learns to appreciate” his feelers as gifts for how he can live in the least harmful way as a cockroach. When he wonders to himself later if he is less sensitive now, I think he wonders that in terms of being less sensitive to pain, now that his armor has grown back and he knows how to move around and use his body to protect himself. In short, I think the turning point for Gregor is him finding ways to use his body and not let it become an obstruction. This is Gregor accepting his metamorphoses.

2. Gregor clings to the picture on the wall because he is literally clinging to his past. His sister, Grete, comes in and tries to move all his furniture, thinking it would be easier for him to crawl around the floor and walls if it were gone. Gregor likes the furniture because it reminds him of when he was normal, but he can't do anything about the fact that his sister and mother are removing it. In an attempt to do something, he climbs the wall and clings to the picture so his sister cannot remove it. Ironically, he displays obvious bug-like characteristics in order to cling to his human past.

3. Parallels:

a. The picture of the lady in furs

b. Grete’s persistence in taking care of Gregor

4. Contrasts:

a. Gregor’s father becoming the money maker now

b. Gregor’s acceptance of his new body and utilization of it such as his feelers, legs, and sticky pads.

Bus Scene: Stranger Than Fiction

The camera uses long shots as Harold and Ana first start talking. I think this is used to illustrate their awkwardness and the fact that they’re strangers with one another. Ana also is far away from Harold and remains standing to be obstinate about sitting down even though there are open seats. She clearly dislikes Harold and the long shots used literally show the distance between them. One Ana is forced into a seat by a sudden jolt of the bus, the angle goes into a medium shot when the two are on the same level for the first time. Once Harold apologizes and the two carry on with small talk, the shots stay medium and the camera switches back from Harold to Ana as they talk. The only long shot that happens after this is when Ana says thank you to Harold after he compliments her on her white teeth. The purpose of this scene is to show the first social interaction Harold has in the movie, as well as the first interaction he has with a woman. This is outside of Harold’s routine and comfort zone, so it is clear that patterns are continuing to break for him.

Interpretive Question: Stranger Than Fiction

Is it better to know when you're going to die, so you can prepare/plan ahead/make sure you complete everything you want to do before you die or would knowing the exact moment of your death make you so scared/depressed/angry that you would no longer carry the will to live?