Metamorphosis- Opening Lines

[Danika_Valin]

While I enjoyed The Metamorphosis when I read it, the greatest impression the book had on me was in the opening line. I've seen two major variations, and one of them distresses me greatly.

Opening #1:


As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin

Opening #2:


As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect

Is it just me, or does the second opening smack you in the face like a lead pipe? I don't believe Kafka actually wrote what kind of creature Gregor was turned into, unless of course you are reading the addition with opening #2. He gives some description of Gregor's transformed body, but he never outwardly states what he is. Also, "gigantic insect" doesn't have the same negative connotation as "monstrous vermin," and it seems to dull down the problem. Gregor is alienated from the rest of his family not only because he has been transformed, but he IS "monstrous!"

Does anyone share this opinion?

[Charles Darnay]

I never knew there was a second one. I read the "giant insect" version. However, I see what you are saying, and yes "monsterous vermin" does give off that negative and monsterous quality, but it does not prove that that is the orignal - I shall have to do some digging, if for no other reason than I currently have nothing better to do.

[Woland]

I rather like the first one. To me the gigantic insect line is more factual and less laden with emotion - a perfectly deadpan opening to an absurd story.

[ShoutGrace]

Is it just me, or does the second opening smack you in the face like a lead pipe? I don't believe Kafka actually wrote what kind of creature Gregor was turned into, unless of course you are reading the addition with opening #2. He gives some description of Gregor's transformed body, but he never outwardly states what he is. Also, "gigantic insect" doesn't have the same negative connotation as "monstrous vermin," and it seems to dull down the problem. Gregor is alienated from the rest of his family not only because he has been transformed, but he IS "monstrous!"

While conceding the fact that I am not an expert concerning language translation, and also conceding the fact that I do not even have a passing knowledge of the German language, doesn't it seem strange that the translations could be so different?

Isn't it a little bit too incongruous?


mon·strous

Pronunciation Key (mnstrs)

adj.

1. Shockingly hideous or frightful.
2. Exceptionally large; enormous: a monstrous tidal wave.
3. Deviating greatly from the norm in appearance or structure; abnormal.
4. Of or resembling a fabulous monster.


Did you all consider the fact that 'monstrous' here may pertain to quantity, not quality?

What I find more interesting is the nature of the German word that has been translated both 'insect' and 'vermin'.

Do you know which editions contain either translation? Or where you saw them? I'm a little curious. :D

[Danika_Valin]

I noticed it flipping through copies of the book at Barnes & Noble, and I don't know which editions have which opening.

I, too, am not familiar with the german language. I agree that the difference could be a result of translation and that "gigantic" may be synonymous with "monstrous," but "vermin" and "insect" are different in my opinion. Insect specifically refers to an arthropod with three defined segments and three pairs of legs. A vermin may be an insect, but it could also be a rodent too. Of course, after reading the description of Gregor we know he is not a rodent, but vermin is a more general term and is usually a negative one. Insect is more descriptive.

I see your point that monstrous may mean gigantic, but do you feel that both words have the same emotional effect and, when first reading the text, you would immediately equate monstrous with large instead of "shockingly hideous or frightful" or "resembling a monster?"

[mono]

I have a translation of The Metamorphosis by Stanley Corngold, a fairly recent translation done within a few decades, but his translation almost congrues with the first opening line posted:

When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.
Though I chose this translation out of a recommendation, I also found the term 'monstrous vermin' oddly more disturbing and unsettling than 'gigantic insect;' it seems less specific (the word 'vermin' applying to a more variety of organisms than 'insect'), leaving the reader to his/her imagination. Some controversy exists of what kind of vermin/insect/etc. Samsa turns into, but most guesses, I have heard, point more toward a cockroach.
In terms of language, however, to me, 'vermin' merely sounds like a more imaginative word, and flows from the tongue in more of a sly way than 'insect.' Insects, too, some people can keep as pets (and I have no idea how :D), while vermin one can also keep as pets, but often do not have that connotation, calling a pet rat a 'pet rat,' rather than a 'pet vermin.'

[Erichtho]

I don't know whether my belated answer is still of interest, but opening 1 is definitely closer to the original. Monstrous vermin is the literal translation of ungeheures Ungeziefer, although it does not reproduce the alliteration of the original (that's actually what makes this first sentence so impressive in German).

[blazeofglory]

I have great fondness for this story, and I believe this is one of the best stories ever written in history. The reason why I am fond of it is this reflects many aspects of life, and particularly the way a modern man lives on, and the predicaments he undergoes.
I find this book matchlessly beautiful.

[Erichtho]

I have great fondness for this story, and I believe this is one of the best stories ever written in history. The reason why I am fond of it is this reflects many aspects of life, and particularly the way a modern man lives on, and the predicaments he undergoes.
I find this book matchlessly beautiful.

In which translation have you read it? Is it translated into your native language(s)?

[blazeofglory]

In which translation have you read it? Is it translated into your native language(s)?

My native language is Nepali and we can not find such books translated into Nepali. I read it in English, for I feel comfortable with English.

[Erichtho]

My native language is Nepali and we can not find such books translated into Nepali. I read it in English, for I feel comfortable with English.

Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but that's quite interesting - are there any foreign works of literature translated into Nepali, or which books are translated at all? From your statement I'm guessing that you mainly (only?) read literature in English.

This story by Kafka describes for me more than any other work of him the alienation people face in modern times. I love the whole opus, because Kafka is so great into applying inner angst to reality. He is definitely one of my favourite writers.

[Kent Edwins]

Huh. Mine says "One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed into a horrible vermin".

[blazeofglory]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but that's quite interesting - are there any foreign works of literature translated into Nepali, or which books are translated at all? From your statement I'm guessing that you mainly (only?) read literature in English.

This story by Kafka describes for me more than any other work of him the alienation people face in modern times. I love the whole opus, because Kafka is so great into applying inner angst to reality. He is definitely one of my favourite writers.

Very few books of the west are translated into Nepali, and now now with globalization more and more people are versed in English.

Of course I could understand it better in Nepali, yet I am left with no choice I enjoy reading in English too.

In the begging English, I felt, was a tough langauge and with more and more conversation with people and reading in English I got a bit skill not only in understanding English but also speaking and wrting through this medium

Kafka is my favorite.