Sleep // Emma Kate Patterson

     Kafka sets the scene in the third paragraph by explaining the atmosphere in which the work takes place. He describes the weather as rainy and dreary. He states," Gregor's eyes turned next to the window, and the overcast sky- one could hear raindrops beating on the window gutter- made him quite melancholy." One could argue it is not only raining but storming due to the diction "Beating" that Kafka uses. This sets the opening scene as dreary and down. He then goes on to say," What about sleeping a little longer and forgetting all this nonsense," This statement makes me think of when times are hectic and tough and all it makes you want to do is sleep. I think we all can definitely relate to this statement. I think this is especially true for college students during finals week, a week when you know you should be studying but decide to sleep instead. Sleep is a coping mechanism we often use to avoid problems or unwanted work. This is illustrated by this character, he is so overwhelmed with the outside world that he just wants to sleep to forget about it. Despite this urge to sleep he decides to get up and face the day. I think this is something we all should do. When we want to sleep instead of facing the problems of the world or doing the dreaded work we dont want to do we should choose to get up and face it.