TODAY IN CLASS
Group work on Part II questions (and-out of questions for all three parts was given out on Friday).  NOT handed in; however, we went over selected portions.

Regarding question 6, most people seemed uncertain about the apples.  Note that what follows is not a "certainty" for Kafka's intention, but is a widely regarded interpretation of potential meaning here:

• Apple = associated with concept of "sin" because of the widespread Western use of "apple" as the fruit in the Garden of Eden account (Genesis), at least from the early Middle Ages forward
• Act of father pitching apples at the son = a transference of guilt/sin.  Much like a sacrificial animal that was meant to take on the sin of the sacrificer (thus relieving that person from guilt/sin--a "scapegoat"--the father's sin is foisted off onto Gregor.  This much could be shared by many ancient cultures and religions.
• Added Christian symbolism (though Kafka was Jewish, he was brought up in strongly Catholic Prague, and various writings of his draw on other traditions)--What is the role of the events of Easter?  How does the concept of sacrifice carry over into New Testament terms?  How would this work for Gregor? 

Note to 1st period--later (Wednesday) I'll show you a translation that does more to nudge readers toward this interpretation.

Note to 5th period--we jumped briefly to the end of Part III in 1st period, knowing that we would come back to some of the pieces in between.  But DO look closely at the ending, and think through Grete's posture and movements in the last sentence of the story.  What does she remind you of? (still think in the insect world, but not a dangerous or repulsive one).  What is the life cycle of such insects?  What has happened to Grete (and her parents) as the result of Gregor's transformation?  What all could the story mean?

TO EVERYONE, yes, "Metamorphosis"will be on tomorrow's test despite not being officially/thoroughly finished.  If you read Part III over the week-end as was assigned on Friday, you should be fine for tomorrow.

TEST ON TUESDAY
More precisely, you will have 1/3 of the short fiction assessment tomorrow.  It will involve recognizing a whole list of elements (people/places/events/random details) from the short fiction:
John Steinbeck,  "Chrysanthemums"
Katherine Mansfield, "Miss Brill"
D. H. Lawrence, "Rocking-Horse Winner"
James Joyce, "Araby"
John Updike, A & P"
Katherine Anne Porter, "The Jilting of Granny Weatherall"
James Baldwin, "Sonny's Blues"
Elizabeth Berg, "The Matchmaker"
Bernard Malamud,"The Magic Barrel"
Franz Kafka, "The Metamorphosis"

In addition to the GradeCam section, there will be a small group of short focussed questions or tasks the will required a written response.  All together, this day's assessment will be about 1/3 of the whole.

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS
These will be due the week after Thanksgiving, either Wednesday and Friday or Thursday/Friday.
You will know the topics on Wednesday, so if you're in town you can work, but they should be able to be accomplished starting Monday after Thanksgiving.
These will be two essays--one fairly prescriptive, and the other with much more writer's choice flexibility.

ALSO, not related to the test--
Have Heart of Darkness when you get back.  You can limp along a day or two, but not much.