For any research being completed the question must be asked if the sources used are in fact reliable. To determine this the source must be evaluated for its origin, purpose, audience, and credibility. The source under question in this case is an essay titled “‘Metamorphosis’: Rebellion and Punishment,” by Walter H. Sokel. The essay is pulled from a scholarly journal, and is a critical analysis essay on both literary analyses of the book, Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka and on the book itself. It is meant for people who have already read Kafka’s novel, and is written to pose a new analysis of the book while considering the older ones. In his essay Sokel begins by analyzing the faults of the common analyses of Metamorphosis. The first theory
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Anders argues that when Gregor, the main character, is turned into a giant bug it is to compare his ways as a salesman to the way of a vermin. However, Sokel states that he feels as if this theory is not all encompassing of the message behind the metamorphosis of Gregor into the form of a bug. Sokel then moves on to talk about the theory of the book being an inverted fairy tale. This theory is accredited to both Heselhaus and Angus (German and American scholars respectively). They argue that it is the inverted version of Beauty and the Beast, saying that “love fails to overcome horror, and the ‘beauty’ (Gregor’s sister) condemns the ‘beast’ (Gregor) to die…” (Sokel 204). However, Sokel restates that this theory along with the last fails to account for the first section of the book, before Gregor’s metamorphosis. Sokel then switches to another critical analysis, this one being completed by F. D. Luke. Luke’s theory is that Gregor is aggressive, egotistical, and incestuous. He uses the example of Gregors infatuation with his sister as she plays the violin. Sokel then chimes in to say that even this theory is not full proof and that Kafka’s work has not been fully encapsulated by any one analysis. After this statement, Sokel begins …show more content…
Ethos is first established through the use of footnotes in the essay indicating that Sokel referred to other sources while writing. This allows the reader to see that he has the proper background knowledge to support what he is saying. More ethos is then accredited to Sokel as he incorporates other influential people such as Sigmund Freud. The use of a scientist such as Freud allows the reader to feel as if Sokel is well rounded and well informed. The last example of ethos in his paper is towards the end where he begins to use the words “our” and “us” (Sokel 212). This makes the reader feel as if they are on the same level with the author, allowing them to relate more and become increasingly invested in his argument. The next element incorporation that strengthens the argument of Sokel is the use of rhetorical questions. He asks, “Does Gregor Samsa’s metamorphosis possess a function in the total narrative?” (Sokel 205) and follows it up asking, “Is there a reason for it?” (Sokel 205). This allows the reader to engage in his thought process and follow his argument more closely. It causes the reader to think. The last argument enhancing element used is logos. Sokel is exceptional at inducing a train of thought into the minds of the readers. In one case he does this through the use of a
Anders argues that when Gregor, the main character, is turned into a giant bug it is to compare his ways as a salesman to the way of a vermin. However, Sokel states that he feels as if this theory is not all encompassing of the message behind the metamorphosis of Gregor into the form of a bug. Sokel then moves on to talk about the theory of the book being an inverted fairy tale. This theory is accredited to both Heselhaus and Angus (German and American scholars respectively). They argue that it is the inverted version of Beauty and the Beast, saying that “love fails to overcome horror, and the ‘beauty’ (Gregor’s sister) condemns the ‘beast’ (Gregor) to die…” (Sokel 204). However, Sokel restates that this theory along with the last fails to account for the first section of the book, before Gregor’s metamorphosis. Sokel then switches to another critical analysis, this one being completed by F. D. Luke. Luke’s theory is that Gregor is aggressive, egotistical, and incestuous. He uses the example of Gregors infatuation with his sister as she plays the violin. Sokel then chimes in to say that even this theory is not full proof and that Kafka’s work has not been fully encapsulated by any one analysis. After this statement, Sokel begins …show more content…
Ethos is first established through the use of footnotes in the essay indicating that Sokel referred to other sources while writing. This allows the reader to see that he has the proper background knowledge to support what he is saying. More ethos is then accredited to Sokel as he incorporates other influential people such as Sigmund Freud. The use of a scientist such as Freud allows the reader to feel as if Sokel is well rounded and well informed. The last example of ethos in his paper is towards the end where he begins to use the words “our” and “us” (Sokel 212). This makes the reader feel as if they are on the same level with the author, allowing them to relate more and become increasingly invested in his argument. The next element incorporation that strengthens the argument of Sokel is the use of rhetorical questions. He asks, “Does Gregor Samsa’s metamorphosis possess a function in the total narrative?” (Sokel 205) and follows it up asking, “Is there a reason for it?” (Sokel 205). This allows the reader to engage in his thought process and follow his argument more closely. It causes the reader to think. The last argument enhancing element used is logos. Sokel is exceptional at inducing a train of thought into the minds of the readers. In one case he does this through the use of a