1. Final Term Paper
This half of the semester was definitely more difficult than the first. It really didn’t help
that I was on a continent that hasn’t quite figured out how to make internet readily available for
the last two classes. However, I have decided to attempt to describe the relationship between the
assigned readings and religion using the Graves/Jung system.
The Metamorphosis- This story was really hard for me to understand at first. When I think of
religion I still lean towards thinking of only Christianity. However, the more I read the more I
thought that it could possible fit in with Buddhism or Hinduism. So, when I read that you had
connected it with Daoism, which is closely related to both of the above, I knew I was on the
correct tract. I would say that Kafka wrote this story at L6. Due to the fact that throughout the
story he is emphasizing with the dung beetle through Gregor. In your lecture notes you spoke of
the comedic element of the story, however the part I thought was the most ironic was that Gregor
was upset of the career he had chosen now that he was a bug more than the actual
transformation. Another religious aspect that I didn’t notice until you pointed it out in class was
his dislike of Christianity that he chose to kill Gregor at the exact opposite time of Jesus. After
you had mentioned that I also noticed that the ending of Metamorphosis is also the opposite of
the birth of Jesus. In the beginning of the story of Christmas three wise men are filled with joy
as they come to see the birth of the new king. At the end of Kafka’s story three men are leaving
and it is presented in an extremely peaceful scene.
Journey to the East- The main reason I chose this story is for no other reason than the immortal
verse that is quoted about travel. When I read this story during class I paid no attention to it,
however, while preparing this paper the words had a different meaning. After just returning from
my travels across Brazil, standing in my own fields telling the tales of the past few weeks I

2. sometimes feel the same way. Like most of the reading since midterm I had a rather difficult
time deciphering the religiosity of the story. It could have possibly been the translation I was
reading or just something I was missing all together. Whenever we type about it during or class it
always seems to become clearer. This story I think was at L7, which honestly I believe is way
over my head. During this class session you had made a statement which has become one of my
favorite quotes: “books can move our imaginations so powerful that our emotions are excited as
much as if the events were real.” Through this statement I believe that Hesse knew that his works
could possibly change the world or at least the world closest around him.
Kafkaesque- During this class lecture I chose to write about the “Tower of Babel” and the “Pit
of Babel”. The Tower of Babel is a story in Genesis from the bible about how the people of the
world are working together to be as high and mighty as God. Therefore God strikes down the
tower and changes the language of everyone there so that they may no longer communicate.
This is why Kafka’s statement is true. God had no problem with the fact that the humans had the
ability to build a tower to heaven, it the reason they were building in the first place that God had
a problem with. The “Pit of Babel” is a parody written by Kafka of the previous story. Not sure
I truly understand this one, maybe this was a way of him showing that he thought he was
unworthy to live on earth equal to all other people.
The Great Wall of China- This was another interesting story and possible one of my favorite
Kafka stories. This story was written at Level Six. I really enjoy the way that he ended (or
didn’t END) the story. Sometimes in my writings I wish I could just say, I don’t feel like doing
anything more right now. I also enjoyed how he talked about the wall being built in fragments
(even though I didn’t know that was not true until I read the lecture notes) and he also wrote the
story in that manner.

3. Light of Asia- I enjoyed reading this although it was written by a Christian. It was also able to
be interpreted at many different Levels of the Jung/Graves. I felt like the section you had asked
us to read was possible the first “Buddhism for DUMMIES”. I can definitely understand why
the Victorians enjoyed the poem, it was a window for them to see into a new religion, without
being ridiculed for it because it was written by a Christian. Also as you mentioned in the lecture
and the lecture notes I can see how all the levels could find some beneficial sustenance in the
sermon. It is a real easy read and different sections of the sermon could be pulled out or used to
fit into different belief systems or religions. Like you said in the lecture notes it allows even the
atheist a source for a set of moral guidelines.
In summary I can truly say that I have actually learned a lot from this class. Moreover, it doesn’t
feel like this is was just a waste of time, but something I will actually use throughout the rest of
my life. This class has given me the ability to look deeper into all different types of media of
literature, not just the superficial aspects. After my midterm you had sent me an email that you
wanted more from the lectures and the lecture notes I hope that I have found a good balance
between what you have said and my own personal opinions of the readings. If not please let me
know because we will be together again in the fall for bible as a literature. It has been a pleasure
learning from you and I hope it will be as informing in the fall.