My Approach to Writing an Essay

Steps to Writing an Essay (my style):

Step 1: Read the novel [at least] three times

1. The first time to get the gist of the plot and just an overall view of what the novel is about.
2. The second time to really start annotating on what I see and notice, and any recurring themes, motifs, etc.
3. The third time to mark and note the novel for those literary elements I noticed before, and to jot down any connections between them, and just really to put down everything I think and see. Because I know what to look out for, I can connect ideas quite well.

 Step 2: Make a list of anything I find interesting and would like to write an essay about

1. This is not limited to a certain type of essay: it can consist of motifs, themes, relationships, "big ideas", anything at all.
2. Then, I cross off things that I find less interesting, not as important in the novel, or things that there don't have much evidence or meaning.
3. Then, see any connections between any of the remaining ideas to see if there is an overall theme I would like to talk about, and decide on a topic.
4. From my topic, I look at the importance of it (does it connect to any big ideas, why it is there, what is it's importance, etc.)
5. I also look at the assignment to be sure that the topic fits in with what I'm supposed to do.

Step 3: Search the novel for where the topic exists

1. I mark anywhere that mentions my topic (sort of making a mental list as well) and then pick out the quotes and things that especially connect to the topic and its meaning.
2. From the good quotes, I take them (as well as the surrounding text for the context) and annotate them more, looking especially for literary techniques.
3. Now I have a good idea of what to say about the topic, with a variety of ideas and representations.

Step 4: Write a mini-outline

1. This is just to sort out my thoughts. I put the larger umbrella ideas as headers, with bullet points of quotes, connections, and any thoughts I have on the subjects.
2. This also helps me sort out what I need and what I have- do I need more quotes or evidence from the novel for certain ideas? Do I need to analyze different parts more? What do I need to do?

Step 5: Look around

1. I look online and just explore a bit what other people have to say on my subject.
2. I search for alternating views, opposing thoughts, and ideas that parallel mine (if any).
3. This also means that I could talk it over with a couple of fellow students to see what they think as well. Just bouncing ideas of others.

Step 6: Make an outline

1. I can now return to my mini-outline, and change it. Now that I have all the facts and things I want to say, I organize them.
2. What is my main point? I begin to create a thesis statement- not worded properly, but with all of the ideas that I want to include.
3. I create subtopics: the "big umbrella ideas" I made before, but organized and clear.
4. All of the quotes, my analysis of them, and ideas are included. I also see if there are any connections between the body paragraphs to see if there is any way to nicely transition them.
5. From this I go back to my thesis statement and ensure that my ideas support the statement. I also sort of make topic sentences- although they're more of topic ideas, so I know how to start each paragraph.

Step 7: The Thesis Statement

1. Although I have the idea of the thesis statement, now I can reform it and enhance it. I just go over it several times and make sure it is about as good as it can be.
2. Also, if possible, I talk it over with someone to be sure about it.

Step 8: Start writing

1. From my outline I just start writing- and not in any specific order. I can start at the introduction or a body paragraph. And it usually isn't perfect. I just take the bullet points from the outline and make them into sentences.
2. Sometimes here I add a small idea or analyze a quote a little more. As long as I keep writing. Often times a paragraph is split, where I just write for the different quotes and little ideas, so I can connect it all together later.
3. At this stage, my writing does not flow together as well as it should (or will later on). However, it has the ideas and all the things I want to say.
4. I usually don't write the conclusion or all of the introduction during this stage- since that mostly restating the bulk of my essay.

Step 9: Putting it all together

1. Now that all of my ideas and stuff is written down, I read it all over.
2. Then, in the same style of not paying attention to the fluency or word choice, I finish up my introduction and put together a conclusion.
3. Then, I look at each paragraph individually (usually starting with the body paragraphs and ending with the conclusion) and put it together. I make the connections between the ideas within each paragraph, I reword things, and overall just make sure things are clear.
4. In the introduction and conclusion, I make sure that the overall ideas are there and that I didn't leave anything out.
5. Oh yes, and create an interesting title. Which is hard, sometimes.

Step 10: Making it sound good

1. Although the paragraphs are written, I now reread it again (and even several times) to make it sound good. That is, taking out all of the words that sound inappropriate, making sure the ideas are clear, and just fixing anything I notice in the essay.
2. Now the Rough Draft is finished!

Step 11: Taking a break

1. I step back from the essay and let it sit for a while. Then later on I can come back with a fresh mind. I have to forget what I wrote so I can make sure everything fits together nicely and actually makes sense. Plus, it is just good to take a break. It's important.

Step 12: Getting reacquainted

1. I read the essay over once or twice just to remind myself of what I was talking about. Also, I take advantage of my memory loss to mark anything that doesn't make sense. I also mark any mistakes that I happen to spot (although I don't specifically look for them).

Step 13: Revising the Ideas

1. I can now look at the ideas and the analysis and everything else I wrote. I fix things, I rewrite things, and look at the placement of everything. Also, I look at what should be further expanded, and perhaps what is irrelevant. It is basically a general revise.

Step 14: Wording and Word Choice

1. Now I look at the words I used and the sentences I used and just think of better ways to say it or more suitable words.
2. I read it through and mark what sounds weird or is not quite accurate. Then I go back and change it.

Step 15: Editing the errors

1. Although if I had happened to come across an error, in grammar, spelling, or anything else, I fixed it, now is the time to really look for them, especially ones that the spell check doesn't come across. Just the technical stuff.

Step 16: Peer Review

1. If it is at all possible, I have someone, or even several someones, look at it and review it. Different people notice different things, and any help is much appreciated.

Step 17: Viewing the Review

1. I look at what other people have said. Do I agree?
2. Usually, I do. I then change what they suggested.
3. Then I read it over and just kind of think about it, seeing if I see any things that I want to change.

Step 18: The final review

1. I just pile all of those previous reviews into one: I read it over and over again and mark and highlight anything that I feel is weaker than the rest of the essay, what doesn't sound quite right, and anything else that I feel needs fixing.
2. Sometimes I don't know what is wrong with it, or how to fix it- I just know that it doesn't quite fit: I mark it anyways.
3. Then I fix them. And I reread. And I fix. And again. Until I feel ready and confident that it is what I want it to be.
4. I also look at the presentation: does it have a title, name, date, etc.

Step 19: Panicking

1. I sort of just panic about whether I have everything and the essay is ready to turn in. I just worry a lot. This stage usually doesn't last very long: usually lasting from the moment I decide to turn it in to the moment I actually do turn it in.

Step 20: Turning it in

1. I turn it in.

Interpretation of Absurdity

If "Kafkaesque" is used to describe something that is reminiscent of Kafka's work, then the film "Kafka" is quite Kafkaesque. I've viewed Kafka's work as representative of the absurd: the "normal" life of Gregor's, as a human, seems absurd indeed. However, the reader is not given a clear answer as to what is absurd and what is not: it is not clear what the theme of the novel is in this aspect, and we don't know what is "good" or "bad". There is an element of choice. It is up to the reader to decide whether Gregor's life as a bug or a human is more "human" and true. There is the question "What is humanity?" and Kafka himself does not judge the answer- the reader does. There is evidence from the novel Metamorphosis to support either theory. The bug can be considered human, as Gregor does more what he wants than as a human, but as a human, it is arguable that he is more human, as he fulfills his purpose, ect. Also, the family is a bit absurd as well- their feeble reaction to Gregor's transformation, and then how they evolve throughout the story. It can be considered that they have not changed at all, or have. It all depends on the reader.

This concept applies in the film. There is the normal world, and the absurd world. One would think that the normal world is the one with everyday events, and the crazier, insane world is the one with the torture, brain analysis, and whatever else was going on in the castle. However, the color that appears in the castle can contradict this theory. For us, color can seem like the normal world. And in the black and white world, where people do the same thing everyday and worry about little things, is absurd. There seems to be no point, and as they ignore the truth, what is the purpose of their life? The audience must choose for themselves what they believe. The question is also raised: "What is the real world?" and "what is normal?". Or even, "is there such a thing?"...

The movie and Metamorphosis both explore the idea of humanity. Is Gregor more human as an insect or a man? Is humanity progressing with creepy technology or ignoring the truth and staying put? I think one thing that is definitely "Kafkaesque" is the idea that the audience is left with more questions than answers.

Family Hierarchy

On page 89, of Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, the author describes the situation where Gregor's mother has just fainted and the father has come home from work. This passage emphasizes the change in the family hierarchy. There are two main parts to this excerpt: the first is Gregor's memory of his father before his metamorphosis and the second afterwards. At first, Gregor does not recognize his father as he come in; his memory of his father is described in one long sentence. Gregory describes his father as tired and weary, rarely going out or doing much of anything. The next sentence, however, describes the new father, one who has stepped into his patriarchal role in the family. The use of diction in these two lines are crucial; each word contrasts the two images of Gregor's father. Before Gregor's metamorphosis, the father is portrayed as continually needing support from those around him; he wears his bathrobe, shuffles around with the help of his cane, and has tangled white hair. As the father entrances the room now, though, he is exactly the opposite. Wearing his bank attendant uniform, he advances on the bug with a determination and a straight back. Instead of staying in all the time, he works daily and his hair is finely combed. Before the bug situation had occurred, Gregor had been the one supporting his family and taking care of the problems. Now, however, the father has accepted his duty and takes care of the family, dealing with any threats to their well-being. This focus on the father throughout the passage highlights on the emotions of Gregor at this point. Written from the point of view of the son, the focus on the father shows how helpless and overwhelmed Gregor feels at the moment, unprepared for the change in his father. As Gregor feels out of place in his family, this also reveals the father return to being the head of the house. This passage exposes the change in family hierarchy, as the father takes control of the situation and asserts himself as patriarch. This change in the family, while being what most would call normal, turns Gregor's world upside-down.

Revise:

After Gregor's metamorphosis, his family changes its hierarchy- the father comes home from work and takes care of the family, instead of Gregor himself. Gregor fails to recognize this until one day his father approaches him directly with his new self. The contrast between Gregor's memory of his father before his metamorphosis and the man his father is afterward reveals the change in Gregor's family and the place the son takes:
"Truly, this was not the father he had imagined to himself... The man who used to lie wearily sunk in bed whenever Gregor set out a business trip... Now he was standing there straight as a stick, dressed in a smart blue uniform with gold buttons... from under his bushy eyebrows his black eyes darted fresh and penetrating glances; his formerly tangled whit hair had been combed flat on either side of a shining and carefully exact parting... his hands in his trouser pockets, advanced with a grim visage toward Gregor" (Kafka, 89).

At first, Gregor does not recognize his father as he come in; his memory of his father is described in one long sentence. Gregory describes his father as "a man who used to lie wearily sunk in bed" (89), rarely going out or doing much of anything. The next sentence, however, describes the new father, one who has stepped into his patriarchal role in the family. The use of diction in these two lines are crucial; each word contrasts the two images of Gregor's father. Before Gregor's metamorphosis, the father is portrayed as continually needing support from those around him; he wears his bathrobe, "shuffling" around with the "help of his crooked-handled cane" (89), and has " tangled white hair" (89). As the father enters the room now, though, he is exactly the opposite. Wearing his bank attendant uniform, he "advances" on the bug "straight as a stick" (89) with determination. Instead of staying in all the time, he works daily and his hair is finely combed. Before the transformation into a beetle had occurred, Gregor had been the one supporting his family and taking care of the problems. Now, however, the father has accepted his duty and takes care of the family, dealing with any threats to their well-being. This focus on the father throughout the passage highlights the emotions of Gregor at this point. Written from the point of view of the son, the focus on the father shows how helpless and overwhelmed Gregor feels at the moment, unprepared for the change in his father. As Gregor feels out of place in his family, this also reveals the father's return to being the head of the house. This passage exposes the change in family hierarchy, as the father takes control of the situation and asserts himself as patriarch. Now Gregor is the submissive one: perhaps even a threat to his family, he does what his father says. Gregor no longer takes care of his family; the father begins to work and supply the money. This change in the family, while being what most would call normal, turns Gregor's world upside-down.

Gregor needs his family and his family needs him- or do they?

In Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, he addresses several themes within his novel. However, I think one of the prevailing ideas, and one that connects several others together, is the fact that Gregor's former life as a human is quite similar to his life as an insect. After his family sees him as a bug, they treat him like an animal and not much like a son. The first time the father attempts to push Gregor back to his room, he makes "hissing sounds like a savage" (70). Not soon after, the father waves a stick around dangerously and does not consider his son's well-being and threatens to "strike him a fatal blow on the back or the head". His whole family is scared of him: all of their reactions show disgust, and his family, which should hold love for a son who has supported them for the last five years, do not dare to go near or even try and communicate with him.
This is no different than Gregor's human life. We can see that Gregor works night and day, and yet his family relaxes, eats long breakfasts, and overall have quite a good time. Despite this, his family complains about Gregor and seem to lack appreciation for what Gregor does. When Gregor gets up late (which they notice only when they themselves wake up), they continue to nag him until the chief clerk comes, in which they try and placate the man by criticizing Gregor. His mother complains how he is always working- and yet, she needs him to work all of the time in order to receive money. His entire family depends on Gregor in order to survive- and even he realizes that they have become rather blasé about the whole thing. Nothing he does seems to be in his own control: he works all the time to pay of his parents' debts, his boss controls what he does and when he does it, and on the whole it is quite unenjoyable. Gregor himself dislikes his job; yet feels tied to it because of his obligation to his family.

However, despite Gregor seeming to be in this prison that is not his own doing, he is still, to some extent, at least a little responsible for his miseries. Everything he does, as a human, is to please his family. He is constantly worrying not about his own state (as I would be screaming my head off and probably faint) but the reaction of his family, and how they will survive without him- in fact, he cannot perceive that they could survive without him. And this is key: I believe that Gregor needs his family in order to survive. It is who he is- his purpose in life. Much like the hunger artist and his audience, Gregor needs his family to keep him going, to prove to himself that he is needed. Talking of his work, he has no friends or even any allies or acquaintances who appreciate him- not to mention his family. We already know that his family seems to have no pressing need to care for his welfare, and yet he desperately needs his family to give him an identity. Just as the family relies on him, he relies on his family.  As a bug, he is drawn towards voices and people- his desire to be a part of the family gets the better of him often. When Gregor is unlocking the door, he needs others to support him: "That was a great encouragement to Gregor; but they should all have shouted encouragement to Gregor; but they should all have shouted encouragement to him, his father and mother too... And in the belief that they were all following his efforts intently..." (65). Gregor needs to believe that his family truly cares for him, and is supporting him every step of the way. For without his family, what is he? His everyday life consists of working to please his family: if his family were to not need him anymore, he would not know what to do with himself. As he takes care of his family, he thinks he has found himself, as the caregiver and helper to his family. That he creates a bit of his own prison is seen when he spends his nights working and jigsaw-puzzling instead of talking with his family. He locks himself in his own room, for goodness' sake! The lack of communication also ties in to his own isolation. Although there are many periods of silence in the story,  seeming to emphasize each awkward and unpleasant moment in the family, that Gregor cannot be understood limits any way of talking with his family.

As a bug, Gregor is no different than his human life. He does not talk to, and receives no help from, his family. The relationships between Gregor and others remain the same. No one truly cares for him, and he still worries about his family's condition. The only thing that changes is that he no longer supports his family: and thus, Gregor must face what he is without this purpose. He has no job, and he has no purpose- that he dies in the end I am not sure reveals the answer to the question of what he is without his family, who decide to leave him. And it is his life as a bug that I think Gregor learns that his family does not need him- nor want him- and that he has to find a different definition for himself. For each time Gregor tries to please his family as an insect, or even do what they want, he is ridiculed, punished, and pushed away, repulsive to others. His worse injuries occur when trying to accommodate his family. As an insect, there are some times where he does only think of himself- and those are the times when he is happiest. When he embraces his "inner bug".  Trying to stand upright only causes him pain- his human life is not his anymore. But when he settles onto all fours (or however many legs he has), he is finally happy: "Hardly was he down when he experienced for the first time this morning a sense of physical well-being; his legs had firm ground under them; they were completely obedient, as he noted with joy; they even strove to carry him along in whatever direction he chose; and he was inclined to believe that a final relief from all his sufferings was at hand" (68). Embracing his inner bug, he is happy- and when he, without shame, crawls under the sofa, he is comfortable and content.

Gregor's prison is determined both by his parents and himself; and that he does not enjoy it is his own doing. Gregor loses sight that all that he does is for his family, and nothing for himself; despite the choices he thinks he has made, it is in reality his parents'. The only choice he has made was to take care of his family, no matter what. Gregor's cares only about his family, and needs his family to need him: for without them, he is just a flat, useless insect.