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    Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)
    Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)
    Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)
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    Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)

    By BookCaps

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    About this ebook

    A business man wakes up and discovers he has been turned into a cockroach of sorts! Beginnings don't get much better then that! Unfortunately, a hundred years has made most translations of Kafka's classic work feel a bit dated. BookCaps can help with this fresh translation for the modern reader.

    If you have struggled in the past reading Kafka, then BookCaps can help you out. This book is a modern translation of The Metamorphosis.

    The original text is also presented in the book, along with a comparable version of both text.

    We all need refreshers every now and then. Whether you are a student trying to cram for that big final, or someone just trying to understand a book more, BookCaps can help. We are a small, but growing company, and are adding titles every month.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookCaps
    Release dateJan 13, 2012
    ISBN9781465968159
    Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)
    Author

    BookCaps

    We all need refreshers every now and then. Whether you are a student trying to cram for that big final, or someone just trying to understand a book more, BookCaps can help. We are a small, but growing company, and are adding titles every month.Visit www.bookcaps.com to see more of our books, or contact us with any questions.

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      Metamorphosis In Plain and Simple English (A Modern Translation and the Original Version) - BookCaps

      About This Series

      The Classic Retold series started as a way of telling classics for the modern reader—being careful to preserve the themes and integrity of the original. Whether you want to understand Shakespeare a little more or are trying to get a better grasp of the Greek classics, there is a book waiting for you!

      The series is expanding every month. Visit BookCaps.com to see all the books in the series, and while you are there join the Facebook page, so you are first to know when a new book comes out.

      Comparative Version

      I

      One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he looked.

      One morning, Gregor Samsa woke up from bad dreams to find out that he had been turned, in his own bed, into a giant bug. He lay on his back that was like armor, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, curved a little bit and divided into stiff sections by ridges. The blankets seemed like they were barely able to cover it and could slide off at any moment. His many legs, which were pathetically thin compared to how big the rest of his body was, waved around helplessly as he looked.

      What's happened to me? he thought. It wasn't a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls. A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table - Samsa was a travelling salesman - and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame. It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer.

      What's happened to me? he thought. It wasn't a dream. His room, a normal human room even if it was a little too small, lay peacefully surrounded by four familiar walls. A collection of cloth samples were spread out on the table - Samsa was a traveling salesman - and above it was a picture he had recently cut out of a magazine and put in a nice frame decorated with gold paint. The picture showed a lady all decked out in a nice fur hat and fur wrap who stood upright, her whole lower arm hidden from the viewer by her fur wrap.

      Gregor then turned to look out the window at the dull weather. Drops of rain could be heard hitting the pane, which made him feel quite sad. How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense, he thought, but that was something he was unable to do because he was used to sleeping on his right, and in his present state couldn't get into that position. However hard he threw himself onto his right, he always rolled back to where he was. He must have tried it a hundred times, shut his eyes so that he wouldn't have to look at the floundering legs, and only stopped when he began to feel a mild, dull pain there that he had never felt before.

      Gregor then turned to look out the window at the gray and depressing weather. He could hear drops of rain hitting the glass of the window, which made him feel very sad. Maybe I should sleep a while longer and forget this silliness, he thought, but that was something he couldn't do because he was used to sleeping on his right side, and he couldn't get into that position the way he was now. No matter how hard he threw himself towards the right, he always rolled right to where he started. He must have tried it a hundred times, shutting his eyes so that he wouldn't have to look at the helplessly waving legs, and only stopped when he felt something hurting - not too badly, but in a way he never had felt before.

      Oh, God, he thought, what a strenuous career it is that I've chosen! Travelling day in and day out. Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and on top of that there's the curse of travelling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them. It can all go to Hell! He felt a slight itch up on his belly; pushed himself slowly up on his back towards the headboard so that he could lift his head better; found where the itch was, and saw that it was covered with lots of little white spots which he didn't know what to make of; and when he tried to feel the place with one of his legs he drew it quickly back because as soon as he touched it he was overcome by a cold shudder.

      Oh, God, he thought, what am exhausting career I've chosen! Traveling all the time. Doing business like this takes much more effort than doing your own business at home, and then there's the curse of traveling, worrying about catching trains, bad food that you never can be sure of getting, meeting different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone well enough to be friends. It can all go to Hell! He felt a little itch up on his belly; pushed himself slowly up on his back towards the headboard so that he could lift his head better; found where the itch was, and saw that it was covered with lots of little white spots that puzzled him; and when he tried to feel the place with one of his legs he quickly stopped because of how icky it felt.

      He slid back into his former position. Getting up early all the time, he thought, it makes you stupid. You've got to get enough sleep. Other travelling salesmen live a life of luxury. For instance, whenever I go back to the guest house during the morning to copy out the contract, these gentlemen are always still sitting there eating their breakfasts. I ought to just try that with my boss; I'd get kicked out on the spot. But who knows, maybe that would be the best thing for me. If I didn't have my parents to think about I'd have given in my notice a long time ago, I'd have gone up to the boss and told him just what I think, tell him everything I would, let him know just what I feel. He'd fall right off his desk! And it's a funny sort of business to be sitting up there at your desk, talking down at your subordinates from up there, especially when you have to go right up close because the boss is hard of hearing. Well, there's still some hope; once I've got the money together to pay off my parents' debt to him - another five or six years I suppose - that's definitely what I'll do. That's when I'll make the big change. First of all though, I've got to get up, my train leaves at five.

      He slid back into his earlier position. Getting up early all the time, he thought, it makes you stupid. You've got to get enough sleep. Other traveling salesmen have it so much easier. For example, whenever I go back to the guest house during the morning to make a copy of a new contract, these gentlemen are always still sitting there eating their breakfasts. I should try that with my boss; I'd get kicked out immediately. But who knows, maybe that would be the best thing for me. If I didn't have my parents to think about I'd have quit a long time ago, I'd have gone up to the boss and told him just what I think, tell him everything I wanted to, let him know exactly what I feel. He'd fall right off his desk! And it's an awkward business to be sitting up there at your desk, talking down at the employees under you from up there, especially when you have to get really close to him because the boss is nearly deaf. Well, there's still some hope; once I've got the money together to pay off my parents' debt to him - another five or six years I guess - that's definitely what I'll do. That's when I'll make the big change. First thing's first, though, I've got to get up; my train leaves at five.

      And he looked over at the alarm clock, ticking on the chest of drawers. God in Heaven! he thought. It was half past six and the hands were quietly moving forwards, it was even later than half past, more like quarter to seven. Had the alarm clock not rung? He could see from the bed that it had been set for four o'clock as it should have been; it certainly must have rung. Yes, but was it possible to quietly sleep through that furniture-rattling noise? True, he had not slept peacefully, but probably all the more deeply because of that. What should he do now? The next train went at seven; if he were to catch that he would have to rush like mad and the collection of samples was still not packed, and he did not at all feel particularly fresh and lively. And even if he did catch the train he would not avoid his boss's anger as the office assistant would have been there to see the five o'clock train go, he would have put in his report about Gregor's not being there a long time ago. The office assistant was the boss's man, spineless, and with no understanding. What about if he reported sick? But that would be extremely strained and suspicious as in fifteen years of service Gregor had never once yet been ill. His boss would certainly come round with the doctor from the medical insurance company, accuse his parents of having a lazy son, and accept the doctor's recommendation not to make any claim as the doctor believed that no-one was ever ill but that many were workshy. And what's more, would he have been entirely wrong in this case? Gregor did in fact, apart from excessive sleepiness after sleeping for so long, feel completely well and even felt much hungrier than usual.

      And he looked over at his alarm clock, ticking away on top of his bureau. God in Heaven! he thought. It was six-thirty and the hands were quietly moving forwards - no, it was even later than half past, more like a quarter to seven. Had the alarm clock not gone off? He could see from the bed that it had been set to ring at four o'clock as it should have been; it certainly must have gone off. es, but was it possible to quietly sleep through that earth-shattering noise? It was true that he had not slept peacefully, but maybe that had just made his sleep even deeper. What should he do now? The next train left the station at seven; if he wanted to catch that he would have to rush like crazy, and the collection of samples was still not packed, and he didn't feel at all energetic anyways. And even if he did catch the train his boss would still be angry, since the office assistant would have been there to see the five o'clock train leave; he would have reported Gregor's not being there at the station a long time ago. The office assistant was the boss's man, spineless, and with no sympathy. What about if he called in sick? But that would seem extremely uncharacteristic, because in fifteen years of service Gregor had never once been ill. His boss would certainly come to visit with the doctor from the medical insurance company, tell his parents they had a lazy son, and accept the doctor's recommendation not to make any claim, since the doctor believed that nobody was ever sick but that many were lazy. And what's more, would he have been completely wrong in this case? Gregor did in fact, apart from way too much sleepiness after sleeping for so long, feel all right and even much hungrier than usual.

      He was still hurriedly thinking all this through, unable to decide to get out of the bed, when the clock struck quarter to seven. There was a cautious knock at the door near his head. Gregor, somebody called - it was his mother - it's quarter to seven. Didn't you want to go somewhere?

      He was still panicking, thinking about all this and unable to decide whether get out of bed, when the clock struck quarter to seven. There was a cautious knock at the door near his head. Gregor, somebody called - it was his mother, it's a quarter to seven. Didn't you want to go somewhere?

      That gentle voice! Gregor was shocked when he heard his own voice answering, it could hardly be recognised as the voice he had had before. As if from deep inside him, there was a painful and uncontrollable squeaking mixed in with it, the words could be made out at first but then there was a sort of echo which made them unclear, leaving the hearer unsure whether he had heard properly or not. Gregor had wanted to give a full answer and explain everything, but in the circumstances contented himself with saying: Yes, mother, yes, thank-you, I'm getting up now.

      Her voice was so gentle! Gregor was shocked when he heard his own voice answering; it could hardly be recognized as the voice he used to have. As if from deep inside him, there was a painful and uncontrollable squeaking mixed in with it, and the words could be understood at first but then there was an echo which made them confusing, leaving the hearer unsure whether they had heard properly or not. Gregor wanted to give a full answer and explain everything, but given the situation had to satisfy himself with saying: Yes, Mother, yes, thank you; I'm getting up now.

      The change in Gregor's voice probably could not be noticed outside through the wooden door, as his mother was satisfied with this explanation and shuffled away. But this short conversation made the other members of the family aware that Gregor, against their expectations was still at home, and soon his father came knocking at one of the side doors, gently, but with his fist. Gregor, Gregor, he called, what's wrong? And after a short while he called again with a warning deepness in his voice: Gregor! Gregor!

      The change in Gregor's voice probably could not be noticed outside through the wooden door, as this explanation satisfied his mother and she walked away. But this short conversation made the other members of the family aware that Gregor was unexpectedly still at home, and soon his father came knocking on one of the side doors, softly, but with his fist. Gregor, Gregor, he called, what's wrong? And after a little while he called again, more angrily: Gregor! Gregor!

      At the other side door his sister came plaintively: Gregor? Aren't you well? Do you need anything? Gregor answered to both sides: I'm ready, now, making an effort to remove all the strangeness from his voice by enunciating very carefully and putting long pauses between each, individual word. His father went back to his breakfast, but his sister whispered: Gregor, open the door, I beg of you.

      At the other side door his sister begged: Gregor? Aren't you well? Do you need anything? Gregor answered to both sides: I'm ready now, trying to remove all the strangeness from his voice by pronouncing his words very carefully and putting long pauses between each individual word. His father went back to his breakfast, but his sister whispered: Gregor, open the door, I beg of you.

      Gregor, however, had no thought of opening the door, and instead congratulated himself for his cautious habit, acquired from his travelling, of locking all doors at night even when he was at home.

      Gregor, however, had no intention to open the door, and instead congratulated himself for his careful habit, picked up from his travels, of locking all doors at night even when he was at home.

      The first thing he wanted to do was to get up in peace without being disturbed, to get dressed, and most of all to have his breakfast. Only then would he consider what to do next, as he was well aware that he would not bring his thoughts to any sensible conclusions by lying in bed. He remembered that he had often felt a slight pain in bed, perhaps caused by lying awkwardly, but that had always turned out to be pure imagination and he wondered how his imaginings would slowly resolve themselves today. He did not have the slightest doubt that the change in his voice was nothing more than the first sign of a serious cold, which was an occupational hazard for travelling salesmen.

      The first thing he wanted to do was to get up in peace without anyone bothering him, to get dressed, and most of all to have his breakfast. Only then would he think about what to do next, as he was well aware that he would be able to think well and come to any answers while still lying in bed. He remembered that he had often felt a little bit of pain in bed, maybe from lying awkwardly, but that had always turned out to be just his imagination and he wondered how his imagination would settle down properly today. He was certain the change in his voice was nothing more than the first sign of a serious cold, which was a common problem for traveling salesmen.

      It was a simple matter to throw off the covers; he only had to blow himself up a little and they fell off by themselves. But it became difficult after that, especially as he was so exceptionally broad. He would have used his arms and his hands to push himself up; but instead of them he only had all those little legs continuously moving in different directions, and which he was moreover unable to control. If he wanted to bend one of them, then that was the first one that would stretch itself out; and if he finally managed to do what he wanted with that leg, all the others seemed to be set free and would move about painfully. This is something that can't be done in bed, Gregor said to himself, so don't keep trying to do it.

      It was a simple matter to get rid of his blankets; he only had to puff himself up a little and they fell off by themselves. But it became difficult after that, especially as he was so unusually wide. He would have used his arms and his hands to push himself up; but instead of them he only had all those little legs constantly moving in different directions, little legs he was unable to control. If he wanted to bend one of them, then that was the first one that would stretch itself out; and if he finally managed to do what he wanted with that leg, all the others went wild and would move around painfully. This is something that can't be done in bed,Gregor said to himself, so don't keep trying to do it.

      The first thing he wanted to do was get the lower part of his body out of the bed, but he had never seen this lower part, and could not imagine what it looked like; it turned out to be too hard to move; it went so slowly; and finally, almost in a frenzy, when he carelessly shoved himself forwards with all the force he could gather, he chose the wrong direction, hit hard against the lower bedpost, and learned from the burning pain he felt that the lower part of his body might well, at present, be the most sensitive.

      The first thing he wanted to do was get the lower part of his body out of the bed, but he had never seen this lower part and couldn't imagine what it looked like; it turned out to be so slow that was too hard to move; and finally, completely panicking, when he carelessly shoved himself forwards with all the force he manage, he went the wrong way and banged into one of the bedposts. He learned from the burning pain he felt that the lower part of his body could quite possibly be the most sensitive, at least right now.

      So then he tried to get the top part of his body out of the bed first, carefully turning his head to the side. This he managed quite easily, and despite its breadth and its weight, the bulk of his body eventually followed slowly in the direction of the head. But when he had at last got his head out of the bed and into the fresh air it occurred to him that if he let himself fall it would be a miracle if his head were not injured, so he became afraid to carry on pushing himself forward the same way. And he could not knock himself out now at any price; better to stay in bed than lose consciousness.

      So then he tried to get the top part of his body out of the bed first, carefully turning his head to the side. This he managed quite easily, and despite its wideness and heaviness, most of his body eventually followed slowly in the direction of his head. But when he had finally got his head out of the bed and into the fresh air it occurred to him that if he let himself fall it would be a miracle if his head were not injured, so he got too scared to continue pushing himself forward the same way. He mustn't knock himself out, no matter what; it would be better to stay in bed than lose consciousness.

      It took just as much effort to get back to where he had been earlier, but when he lay there sighing, and was once more watching his legs as they struggled against each other even harder than before, if that was possible, he could think of no way of bringing peace and order to this chaos. He told himself once more that it was not possible for him to stay in bed and that the most sensible thing to do would be to get free of it in whatever way he could at whatever sacrifice. At the same time, though, he did not forget to remind himself that calm consideration was much better than rushing to desperate conclusions. At times like this he would direct his eyes to the window and look out as clearly as he could, but unfortunately, even the other side of the narrow street was enveloped in morning fog and the view had little confidence or cheer to offer him. Seven o'clock, already, he said to himself when the clock struck again, seven o'clock, and there's still a fog like this. And he lay there quietly a while longer, breathing lightly as if he perhaps expected the total stillness to bring things back to their real and natural state.

      It took just as much work to get back to where he had been earlier, but when he lay there sighing, and was now watching his legs as they struggled against each other even harder than before, if that was possible, he could think of no way of making order out of this chaos. He told himself one more time that it was impossible for him to stay in bed and that the wisest thing to do would be to free himself however he could no matter what. At the same time, though, he did not forget to remind himself that thinking calmly was much better than rushing desperately. Other times he was as anxious as this he would look to the window and look out as clearly as he could, but unfortunately, even the other side of the narrow street was wrapped in morning fog, and the view didn't have anything that could cheer him up. Seven o'clock, already, he said to himself when the clock struck again, seven o'clock, and there's still a fog like this. And he lay there quietly a for while longer, breathing lightly as if total stillness would bring things back to the way things were supposed to be.

      But then he said to himself: Before it strikes quarter past seven I'll definitely have to have got properly out of bed. And by then somebody will have come round from work to ask what's happened to me as well, as they open up at work before seven o'clock. And so he set himself to the task of swinging the entire length of his body out of the bed all at the same time. If he succeeded in falling out of bed in this way and kept his head raised as he did so he could probably avoid injuring it. His back seemed to be quite hard, and probably nothing would happen to it falling onto the carpet. His main concern was for the loud noise he was bound to make, and which even through all the doors would probably raise concern if not alarm. But it was something that had

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