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There are many different kinds of irony, which are portrayed in most literary writings. Verbal irony is when someone states one thing in order to mean the exact opposite. An example of verbal Irony would be someone saying what a beautiful day it is outside when there is a snowstorm according. Situational Irony is when something occurs that would not normally be expected when both the reader and the characters do not expect.
Cosmic irony is described when assure things acc along with dark humor. Situational Irony is when the reader has information which the characters do not. In the following essay I will examine these different types of irony's and connect them to "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka (1883 - 1924). Part one of this short story begins with situational irony when "Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from users dreams [and] found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" (Kafka 19). Although this story jumps right into the climax both the audience and t'he main character does not expect Gregor to wake up transformed into an insect. Gregor is unsure what he should do with himself in this unexpected situation and turns to cosmic irony.
He suggest's to himself that he should go back to sleep and try to forget about all this nonsense but then rules out this option because "he was accustomed to sleep on his right side and in his present condition he could not turn himself over" (Kafka 20). The option of returning back to sleep was as absurd as awaking as an insect. Gregor obviously had a problem and he could not just turn over and go back to sleep, but instead he blames not going back to sleep on the fact that he would not be comfortable enough. Gregor continues to worry about other issues at this time. He realizes that he better hurry up and get his beetle-like body up so that he wont miss his five a. m.
train. Gregor Samsa is part of a middle class family who live in Prague. Gregor, along with his sister, are part of a family that are only interested in the material part of life. Five years prior to this story Mr. Samsa lost most of his money and stopped working. At this time Gregor was left to get a job and support his family.
His sister Grete was too young to work and his mother suffered from asthma which enabled his to work, this left Gregor in charge of financially supporting the family. Gregor becomes accustomed to being a tool that is used by his family. Gregor beings to feel like the only reason that his family loves him is because they need him to survive. Only with the money that Gregor makes being a salesman, the family is able to buy an apartment (Nabokjov 231). It is ironic that all of a sudden Gregor is not able to support his family and that is what frightens his family members. At the first sight of Gregor, Mr.
Samsa is afraid that they family will return into debt, without thinking for a second the condition that his son is in. Not only did Mr. Samsa's concern lay in the wrong place but Gregor's did as well. "Had the alarm clock gone off? From the bed one could see that it had been properly set for four o'clock; of corse it must have gone off.
Yes, but was it possible to sleep quietly through that ear-splitting noise? Well, he had not slept quietly, yet apparently all the more soundly for that. But what was he to do now? The next train went at seven o'clock, to catch that he would need to hurry like mad and his samples weren't even packed up, and he himself wasn't feeling particularly fresh and active" (Kafka 21). Since Gregor lacks concern it is not that unusual for his father not to show any concern. While Gregor is inside his room contemplating on how or if he should leave his room his family does not know what is occuring inside his room.
This is am example of dramatic irony since the reader has information which the characters do not. Gregor's mother knocks at his door and reminds him of the time and that he will miss his train if he does not hurry, while his father knocks at his door harder asking him what the matter with him is, for he will, miss his train. In a low quiet voice Gregor hears his sister Grete say "Gregor? Aren't you well? Are you needing anything?" (Kafka 23). Gregor's reply's to all of them that he is ready and on his way, little does his family know that he has transformed into a bug.
Free research essays on topics related to: situational irony, support his family, back to sleep, gregor samsa, cosmic irony
Research essay sample on Support His Family Back To Sleep
