The Metamorphosis Key Terms

Question 1

Existentialism

Answer 1

“Existence precedes essence.” We exist and then we live. Life is what you make of it. It’s how a person deals with an absurd world. The focus is on the individual.

Question 2

Allegory

Answer 2

Story, pictures, or poem that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning

Question 3

Surrealism

Answer 3

Stresses the power of imagination and dreams over conscious control

Question 4

Black humor

Answer 4

Humor that is viewed as cruel or offensive to some

Question 5

Novella

Answer 5

Short novel

Question 6

Motif

Answer 6

Recurring idea that relates to the theme

Question 7

Symbolism

Answer 7

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities

Question 8

Epiphany

Answer 8

When someone comes to a realization about something that changes his or hers understanding

Question 9

Foreshadowing

Answer 9

Authors use of clues to help the reader predict what will happen soon

Question 10

Grotesque

Answer 10

Repulsively ugly or distorted

Question 11

Tone

Answer 11

The writers attitude

Question 12

Freudiamism

Answer 12

Believes that every human action is influenced by the unconscious mind

Question 13

Anti-hero

Answer 13

The opposite of a hero

Question 14

In medusa res

Answer 14

In the middle of things

Question 15

Mood

Answer 15

The emotional settings

Question 16

Expressionism

Answer 16

Believes that the response of an individual more important than the object or situation that causes the response

Question 17

Eponym/Kafkaesque

Answer 17

A person place or thing that for which something is named