Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Unlock your potential in literary analysis and interpretation with our top-notch Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


In “The Metamorphosis”, what does the transformation of the main character Gregor symbolize?

  1. Loss of innocence.

  2. Social upheaval.

  3. Disconnection from family.

  4. Psychological evolution.

The correct answer is: Psychological evolution.

"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka tells the story of an ordinary man, Gregor, who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Many critics interpret this transformation as a symbol of Gregor's psychological evolution, as he struggles with feelings of isolation, guilt, and dehumanization. This interpretation is supported by the fact that the story contains elements of surrealism and explores themes of alienation and self-discovery. The other options, such as loss of innocence, social upheaval, and disconnection from family, can be considered incorrect because they do not fully capture the complexity and depth of Gregor's transformation in the story. While these themes are also present, they do not fully encompass the symbolic meaning of Gregor's metamorphosis. Therefore, option D is the most accurate and comprehensive choice.