Multicultural Strategy
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
(3rd Edition)
Part One
Context: This worksheet will be used while reading The Metamorphosis. It is specifically designed for ELL
students who may be having a difficult time understanding the social and cultural differences presented in this text.
However, it is disguised in that it will also clarify the social and cultural expectations for the other students who
also may have a difficult time understanding the social and cultural situation that the book is set in.
Statement of Purpose: To help all students better understand the text by recognizing the social, familial, and
cultural pressures that Gregor, the main character, is under. This activity also directs students to find textual
evidence that supports their thoughts and predictions as well as to reflect on those textual evidences.
Directions:
A. Before reading Part 1 of The Metamorphosis, hand out a copy of the following handout to students
(Dialectic Journal).
B. Explain to students that they will need to pay close attention to the interactions that the main
character has with the rest of his family. This will help direct their reading and help them read more
closely as they proceed.
C. Students will continue to fill out the Dialectic Journal throughout their time reading The
Metamorphosis.
D. They will later utilize their Dialectic Journal to create a short in-class essay that will incorporate
Gregor’s interactions with his family. This activity will aid them in their creation of this essay
because they will already have analyzed Gregor’s relationships as well as have found textual
evidence to back up their claims.
.
Hamilton,
BYU
2009
Name______________________
Dialectic Journal
Choose
six
quotations
from
the
text—two
from
Part
1
of
the
story,
two
from
Part
2
of
the
story,
and
two
from
Part
3
of
the
story
that
reflect
the
shifting
relationship
between
Gregor
and
his
family.
Be
sure
to
include
any
questions
that
you
may
have
in
the
“Personal
Response”
section
of
your
worksheet.
We
will
discuss
these
questions
as
a
class
and
add
our
new
thoughts
and
understanding
to
the
“Further
Reflection”
section
of
your
paper.
Quotation
from
Text
Personal
Response
Further
Reflection
Hamilton,
BYU
2009