Question

click to read the passage from the metamorphosis, by franz kafka. then answer the question.
in this passage, the narrator turns into a real bug. he is not imagining it. how do the author’s word choices show that the character is an actual bug?
a. the fact that he finds the room too small means that the character is aware of his surroundings.
b. the details of the character’s many legs establish that he is not dreaming.
c. everyday details of the room are described in the same tone as the description of the character.
d. the use of the word verminous shows that the character is truly frightened.

Explanation:

To determine how the author’s word choices show the character is an actual bug, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Awareness of surroundings doesn't prove he's a bug (humans are also aware). Eliminate A.
• Option B: Details of many legs alone don't confirm he's not dreaming (dreams can have such details). Eliminate B.
• Option C: When everyday room details and the character’s description are in the same tone, it normalizes the character’s bug - like state, implying it's real (since mundane details are presented as real, so is the character’s bug form). This makes sense.
• Option D: "Verminous" showing fright doesn't prove he's a real bug (fright can be from imagination). Eliminate D.

Answer:

C. Everyday details of the room are described in the same tone as the description of the character.