A Comparison Of Language Elements In Dr. J And Metamorphosis

Stevenson and Kafka: Language Elements in Dr. J and Metamorphosis

European authors in the late 1800s and early 1900s reflect the advances in science and technology in their writing. One of these authors is Robert Louis Stevenson, best known for his work, Treasure Island. Another one of his works, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, is about a man named Mr. Utterson trying to figure out the mystery of Dr. Jekyll’s random disappearances. It turned out that Dr. Jekyll is addicted to a chemical that transformed him into the terrible Mr. Hyde. Franz Kafka is another well-known author mainly known for his novel, The Trial. His other well-known story, Metamorphosis, is about a traveling salesman named Gregor who wakes up one day as a bug.

At the start of the story, the writer uses words that have positive connotations, creating a happy and positive diction. Stevenson says, “Even on Sunday, when it veiled its more florid charms and lay comparatively empty of passage the street shone out in contrast…” (2). This makes the readers understand quickly what the characters are feeling. This causes the reader to recognize the happiness the character is feeling at the moment. It also shows that the character tries to stay happy when possible, as this is one of his morals. A paragraph later, the diction changes from happy and positive to dark and negative. Stevenson writes, “It was two stories high; showed no window, nothing but a door on the lower story and a blind forehead of discoloured wall on the upper…” (2). This negative diction changes the reader's perspective of the characters. It makes the reader think of what bad things might happen since the characters no longer use positive words to describe things. Along with that, this makes the reader question the character’s morals, as the character changed their views of things so abruptly. Dossena states, “…in ways that suited style, pace and rhythm, thus contributing to a better definition of both characters and settings” (2). This is proven throughout Stevenson’s

Likewise, Kafka uses negative, anxious diction and symbolism to create a better understanding. In both works, the character’s moral standards are depicted by the language elements used throughout the stories. Moral standards throughout stories are very important, as they create a sense of security for both writers and readers alike. Without them, readers will not be able to connect with the characters. Without that connection, readers would be less likely to pay attention to all the bad things that come from the characters with their standards. If the readers do not pay attention to those bad things, the writer may not feel that they have done what they were meant to