Spolu Journal: Identity & Hope for Disengaged Workers in Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Music

Download Spolu Journal: Identity & Hope for Disengaged Workers in Kafka's The Metamorphosis and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Music in PDF only on Docsity! ACROSS THREE MYTH MARKETS IN Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis The 2015-2016 Reading Across Campus Text at the American University in Dubai Prepared for The 2015-2016 Shout out for the Humanities International student contest Prepared by Aciel Awada; Basma Choucri; Maryam Habib; Tahmeed Omar School of Business Administration Department of Marketing and Marketing Communications The School of Architecture, Art and Design Department of Visual Communication American University, Dubai, UAE February 29, 2016 MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 2 Assignment Based on some of the axioms and strategic principles of cultural branding1 as espoused by Douglas B. Holt in “How Brands Become Icons – Principles of Cultural Branding” (2004), promote an identity brand of your choice, across three periods in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (1915) to identified target markets. - Prepare and submit a Plans Book and a Power Point presentation. - Will be submitted For Shout for the Humanities Int’l Student Contest: http://4humanities.org/contest/ This assignment addresses three main objectives in the context of one of our required undergraduate courses: Creative Execution for Integrated Marketing Communications in the School of Business at the American University in Dubai. Firstly, this assignment directly and indirectly addresses some of the learning objectives as stated in the course syllabus: a. Discover and appreciate the analysis of myths and metaphors for understanding consumers and brands in formulating creative strategy b. Understand and appreciate the role of film, television, art, literature, humour, politics, the economy, and music in creative strategy development and implementation c. Engage in brand genealogy research of a national/regional “iconic brand to determine the influence of four branding models (cultural, mind- share, emotional, and viral) in its creative strategy development and implementation Secondly, the assignment fulfills the call by 4Humanities to "Shout Out for the Humanities" across disciplines on college campuses and in society at large. Thirdly, this assignment allowed us to engage with the text of the 2015-2016 AUD Reading Across Campus Programme: Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis.                                                                                                                 1  All major terms defined in Glossary as per Holt, 2004 MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 5 Spolu aims to help stressed workers find hope within their disengaged lives ruled by societal pressures, so that they can carry on with establishing normality within their own worlds and minds. The idea of Spolu is to deliver that message through different compartments: interviews, feature stories, comic graphical episodes, illustrations, discussion forums about art and music, advice panels, and poetry insertions. All of these aspects will carry the message of hope and freedom to choose a life readers desire across all three eras. First, this journal will highlight what it feels to feel frustrated, to disengage and lead a life of a ‘slacker.’ However, it will also focus on how the reader can turn this ‘tragedy’ of an identity crisis around, through choosing to kill off this sense of burden and choosing to progress with a life that the reader views as ideal. Spolu will also mention how to cope with certain struggles one can face, even after reestablishment. According to a book called Prague, Capital of the Twentieth Century: A Surrealist History, written by Derek Sayer, Prague was a modern city in the twentieth century where surrealism was evident in various aspects, such as paintings, photographs, and posters to name a few (Bydžovská, 2016). It was evident in advertising, as well, where advertisements for hotels and Czechoslovak Airlines made use of bright colours and artistic elements, which was quite progressive for its time (Made in Czechoslovakia, 2012). Czechoslovakian magazines in the 1940s made use of comic graphical episodes as well as “DIY [Do It Yourself] tips” (“Prague Acquisitions,” 2009). As a result of this ‘modernity’ and ‘surrealism,’ our journal, Spolu, and its inclusions of comic graphical episodes and life tips, is relevant for its time in Czechoslovakia and Prague. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 6 II. SPOLU CAMPAIGN EQUITIES Product/ Brand Journal Myths/ Characters Francis, Ogre, Francis’s Father Alexander, the worker bee Coauthors of Myths: i. First Era ii. Second Era iii. Third Era i. Gregor Samsa (Ideal Human Self) ii. Leoš Janáček Antonín Dvořák Franz Kafka iii. Grete Samsa Primary Populist World/ Target Audience Lower working class of Czechoslovakia, in particular, Prague Product Attributes Feature stories, interviews, artistic illustrations, comic graphical episodes, work-life tips, and real- life stories Promise You Are The Universe. Logo MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 7 Cultural Authority Spolu highlights the right for freedom of expression and individualism Political Authority Defends and promotes the idea of freedom and not conforming to societal demands       First Era Second Era Third Era III. MYTH CHART Spolu’s Myth Across Three Myth Markets Ideology Economic Well-Being Contradiction Working Pressure Results in “Frustrated Workers” Spolu Myth “A Man Who Met Misery” Spolu inspires the pressured lower working class by helping them feel understood and appreciated. Thus, we encourage that they should not give up on their hopes, dreams, and aspirations Populist World “The Lower Working Class” Ideology Unity Contradiction The “Disengagement” Spolu Myth “The Art of Reengagement” Those who are displaced from society as a result of experiencing a tragedy or identity crisis will use Spolu’s co-authoring strategy to unite with society and reengage with themselves Populist World “The Lower Working Class:” Composers Writers Ideology Communism Contradiction The “Rebirth” Spolu Myth “The Worker Bee” The lower working class are not alone in being content with their work life despite the oppressive effects of communism on others; thus, they should not feel guilty Populist World “The Lower Working Class:” Sales Assistants Seamstresses D IS R U PT IO N D IS R U PT IO N MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 10 jobs by this phrase said by one of them: “I am giving my notice this instant. Naturally I shall not pay a penny, and that goes for the days I have been living here too.” (Kafka, Cricks & Roberson, 2009, p. 68) On the other hand, Gregor mentions: “Other travellers like the ladies of the harem. For instance, when I go back to the boarding- house to send off the orders I’ve booked, these gents are only just having their breakfast” (Kafka, Crick & Roberson, 2009, p. 30), which illustrates the other side of society that enjoy their jobs and live a good life. This tension created between the economic well-being ideology and the individual’s experiences caused dreams, hopes, and wishes, to be crushed due to the expectations that society set for them. They felt some sort of alienation from society if they were to not fulfil their expectations as asked. Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis is considered one of these contradicted individuals who were living in a stable economy yet oppressed, due to the work stress and unfulfilled economic wellbeing. As Gregor said angrily, “To hell with it all!” which illustrates the anger and hate towards his job and “Oh Lord!’ he thought. ‘What a strenuous calling I’ve chosen! Day in, day out on the move. The stresses of making deals are far greater that they are in the actual business at home. And on top of that, I’m burdened with the misery of travelling; there’s the worry about train connections, the poor, irregular meals, human contact that is always changing, never lasting, never approaching warmth.” (Kafka, Crick & Roberson, 2009, pp. 29-30) Yet following that he said, “Well, I haven’t entirely given up that hope,” which reflects the sacrifice he has to make in order to meet his responsibilities. (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 30) They were torn between looking after their responsibilities and chasing their dreams. This contradiction will be addressed in the Spolu’s myth treatment. 3. Myth Treatment: “A Man Who Met Misery” a. Target Audience Lower working class of Czechoslovakia and its capital, Prague. b. Compelling Benefit Spolu gives hope to those of the lower classes, who are stressed from work and have oppressed dreams, hopes, and wishes. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 11 c. Symbolism The first era myth treatment will be relating the three highlights of the novel, The Metamorphosis, with the three main characters in the Czechoslovak Fairy Tales, “The Man Who Met Misery” (Oaks, 2016) The first character (Gregor in the novel and Francis in the tale) symbolizes those of the working class who are living in a relatively stable economy but frustrated and stressed. The second character (the director in the novel and Ogre in the tale) symbolizes the bosses, masters, rulers, and directors of the working place who have no mercy on the workers. The last character (Gregor’s sister, Grete, in the novel and the father in the tale) symbolizes the opposing sides, which are frustrated yet evolving and progressing. The first and last characters are two opposing sides that reveal the diversity in the Czechoslovakian population. d. Setting The stressful, busy workforce in a stable economical environment e. Characters* Tale: The Man Who Met Misery Novel: The Metamorphosis Francis Gregor Ogre Chief clerk (Business Representative) The Father Grete (The sister) *(Oaks, 2016) f. Plot Today in our world, there are three different types of people: the pessimistic ones, the optimistic ones, and the dominant ones. These three people are the ones that make up our society. In fact, they take up the same roles in both, novels and tales. Beginning with the first character, Francis believes that the world is filled with misery, as he spoke about it in the tale and said, “ It is an awful thing and there is no joking with it.” (Oaks, 2016) That same character Gregor but represented in the novel, which is frustrated and believes in the misery of his job, as he speaks about it in the novel, “Makes you quiet dull-witted.” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 30) The MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 12 second character, Ogre who is represented as a monster “man-eater” in the tale, that feeds on humans and sees them as worms rather than a living soul. As Ogre calls out to Francis in the tale saying, “Wait a bit, you worm! Since you are such a champion and have managed to tackle me, I’ll give you something to remember me by.” (Oaks, 2016) In fact, Ogre meant no good for Francis, he just wanted to benefit himself and kill him. The novel representing the same character as Gregor’s boss, chief clerk, who threaten Gregor for not showing up to work for one morning by telling him, “I thought I knew you to be a quiet, sensible person, and now all of a sudden you seem to want to start showing off with these strange whims of yours.” (Kafka, Cricks & Roberson, 2009, p. 36) In this context, chief clerk also meant no good for Gregor as he embarrassed him in front of all his family members, screening him as a careless worker with mood swings, when he was a committed worker that lived by his work. Moreover, the third character, the father in the tale gives his son hope and encouragement to go out and experience the world as he told him, “If you stay at home, you’ll soon turn into a lazy old woman. You will get experienced in the world and that cannot do you any harm.” (Oaks, 2016) Likewise in the novel, Grete, Gregor’s sister, plays the character of the sister that supports her brother and looks after him. This is illustrated in the book, when Gregor starts facing the fears of losing his job and questions his sister’s tears, “Why was she crying? Because he was in danger of losing his job?” (Kafka, Cricks & Roberson, 2009, p. 35) These three characters are the different roles people take in society; it builds up the norms and beliefs that people of Czech, during the first era, followed. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 15 second era. (Donada, 2012) The economic well-being ideology relates to this cultural disruption that occurs due to the oppression felt by Gregor, which results in his transformation into a metaphorical bug reflecting the way Czech’s citizens felt in that time frame. This is shown through the second era myth, which responds to the cultural disruption that is caused. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 16 V. SECOND ERA Introduction Following Czechoslovakia’s independence in the first era, the second era revolves around the “Golden Age” of cultural and economic growth, where The Greater Prague was established and acknowledged for its prosperity (Lonely Planet, n.d.). This was only possible due to the people’s great efforts of working harmoniously – which did not last long. In the world of The Metamorphosis, Kafka’s representation of Gregor Samsa’s birth as a “monstrous vermin” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 29) can be the metaphorical implication resembling the frustration of the working class, which emerged at the end the first era. This cultural disruption can be representative of thousands – “surely it was within the bounds of possibility.” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p.81). The struggles of Gregor as a vermin soon began to represent the disengagement of Prague’s population from their personal lives. Post WWI, Czechoslovakia’s industrial boom reflected onto Prague’s bright period of growth and economic strengthening (Lonely Planet, n.d.). This was also experienced socially, where the importance of unification increased. This was vital for Prague’s success as a nation since unity was required to achieve these levels of political, social and economic prosperity. This was evident in Gregor’s ability to provide his family with an apartment, which all four members were content with, from his one traveling salesman job. Social factors influenced by America’s “Jazz Age” were also eminent, weaving the importance of music and the arts within Prague’s cultural practices. This is seen through Grete Samsa’s talent with the violin, and Gregor’s support for music being her educational path. For a moment, this essence of a “good life” existed, however soon enough working class members including Gregor became marginalized. They could no longer fit into unrealistic ideals revolving around careers they did not desire. These members soon gave up, carrying the traits of a “slacker”. Consequentially, this separated Gregor and the others not only from their careers, but from their families too, ultimately creating a discordant home. The Gregorians – all who felt the controlling pressure of their employers who emerged in the first era had finally realized their true concerns. Like MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 17 Gregor, many were fed up with industrial practices of being treated like a “roach”, and had used their hopes, family bonds and own souls to pay off their debts. Caused by the cultural disruption of the first era, Spolu will not only target the disengaged working class, but the mass population as a whole, in order to bring these individuals together. Spolu aims to convince people to be content with what they choose, and highlight that they are not alone in their anger. To do this, Spolu will use different features and tips complemented with exercises involving stress-releasing activities and forums. This will make Spolu the written “safe haven” that it positions itself to be, where devoting, expressing, and linking emotion with one another is possible. 1. Ideology: Unity Within The “The Golden Age” Unity was of heavy importance during the second era. With the prosperity exhibited through the Golden Age, successful unification was not only of family members but also of Prague as a nation. For establishing Czechoslovakia’s success after independence, the people of the nation were dependent on one another for economic and population growth. The importance of unity is highlighted within The Metamorphosis, where the survival of the Samsas is ultimately dependent on Gregor’s success. This is explained further when Grete begins to fear that Gregor’s illness is serious and would cause the loss of his job. However what the family didn’t understand is that Gregor was “still [there], and wasn’t thinking at all about leaving the family.” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p.82). Kafka uses this concern to illustrate the heavy dependence that members of Prague had on one another, in order to succeed not only as an employee, but also as a united family. 2. Contradiction: Disengagement Contradictory to the ideals and importance of a nation’s unification for its success, the working class of Czechoslovakia soon came to experience a sense of existential disengagement. All the effort of working together for a family’s survival was brought to an end, through the frustrated working class who no longer felt ‘human’. Gregor was morphed into a bug, a metaphor for how the nation’s population felt with their “obligation[s] to the[ir] director[s]” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p.87). No man was at peace exhibiting this frustration which deemed members “momentarily unfit for work”, damaging their bond from their families, seen through MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 20 a. Brief Biography* *Please note that the information below only summarizes biographic details relevant to Spolu’s purpose with ‘The Metamorphosis’ in consideration. i. Leoš Janáček Janáček was a Czech born to an impoverished family. His father was a music schoolteacher (Schunk & Thomas, 2015) who though wanted his son to follow his footsteps in pursuing a career of education, acknowledged Janáček’s musical talents and allowed them to flourish (Leoš Janáček, 2016)– unlike Gregor’s father who expected Gregor to become a traveling salesman just as he had chosen for him. Even within in his later years, Janáček struggled with finance, a scenario similar to that of Gregor’s, and Janáček initially couldn’t afford to marry his fiancé (The Famous People, 2016). However with certifying his music teaching degree, Janáček began to earn and was able to get married which was a marriage blissful at first. Janáček showed interest in “studying the relationship between language and music, and also sought to collect various Moravian folk songs.” (The Famous People, 2016). Janáček soon became a prominent figure in the Czech folklorist genre. At a point in Janáček’s life, his daughter Olga was the only one keeping the family together, however with her worsening health and eventual death, Janáček ‘disengaged’ from his marriage and human self. Spolu will use how he overcame this obstacle to guide its readers through theirs. ii. Antonín Dvořák Dvořák was another prominent figure in the folk world of Czechoslovakia. He was also born into a family on the verge of bankruptcy, so his father moved the family to a nearby town where he wanted Dvořák to excel in learning the German language. This would have been essential for the success of Dvořák’s career as a tradesman - however, Dvořák decided to focus on his passion for music. Thus, his father moved him away to live with a German-speaking family where Dvořák was able to excel in both the language and his music. This chapter of his life was the beginning to his successful career as a composer. His music mostly revolved around the trends of the Slavic period which “was characterized by a strong leaning towards the roots of Slav MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 21 folk music…sought after [both] in the Czech environment.” (“Antonin Dvorak”, 2016) Before his success, Dvořák would host private piano lessons to earn a living. Through this, he met a woman who did not feel for him the way he felt for her. Soon enough, Dvořák married her younger sister, another one of his piano pupils. Together they created a family with nine children, three of whom died in infancy. All of his three first-borns died soon after each other – a tragedy of its own. One-year old Ruzena died from phosphorus poisoning, and three-and-a-half year old Otakar a month after because of smallpox. Both of these deaths were not sudden and had the children in an ‘unusual’ bodily state, which can be compared to Gregor’s experience as a vermin. iii. Franz Kafka Kafka was a German-Jew writer born into a middle class family in Prague. His father, a “self-made proprietor of wholesale haberdashery business” (Kafka & Corngold, 2004, p.xi) was a “selfish, huge, an overbearing business man who was hard to win over” (Kafka & Corngold, 2004). Kafka’s true passion was for literature, however to avoid displeasing his father and to fit into society’s ideals, Kafka chose to pursue a career in law. This didn’t seem too bad, since the bureaucratic nature of the job meant it would end by 2.00 PM, giving Kafka time for literature throughout the rest of the day (Kafka & Corngold, 2004, p.xi). Even after pursuing a career that his father admired, Kafka used this time to express his feelings of inadequacy & guilt for not winning over his father in the “Letter to His Father” (Kafka & Corngold, 2004, p.xi). Kafka never felt like he fit in – he consistently struggled with identifying with his family, society, and true self, and used his literature to express just that. The core of his writing carried feelings of “isolation, indebtedness, and shortcoming” (Kafka & Corngold, 2004, p.xi). The feeling of estrangement was no stranger to Franz Kafka – and neither is it to our Gregorians. b. Coauthoring Strategy i. Overview All coauthors write for the sake of maintaining their own sanity. This process can be seen as vital with Gregor’s internal conflict within his family, and how he is unable to tend to these fears due to his lack of expression. The tendency for this MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 22 contradiction of disengagement creates fears and anxieties amongst the populist world. Some of the many ways that have proven successful in helping people accept their circumstances and cope with these tragedies in a healthy way is composing, writing, singing, painting, etc. Spolu will feature these stories of creators who have faced similar existential life moments like Gregors, Janáček’s, Dvořák’s, and Kafka’s. All have faced a time where they suffered a form of identity crisis, between choosing what they wanted to pursue and what was expected of them. They have also experienced extremely challenging times of intense moments of misery. They use their pieces to cope with their tragedies by addressing their fears and anxieties. Spolu aims to highlight this process by encouraging readers to also listen to these compositions or read these writings so that they can relate to these emotions and understand that they are not alone within their time of darkness. ii. Executions The pain that Janáček felt for Olga’s ill-being and the way he coped with the loss of her death is shown within his composition; “Elegie na smrt dcery Olgy: 'Elegy on the death of my daughter Olga'” (Hyperion Records, 2016) This will be featured with a front cover illustration of a lady (Olga) peacefully asleep with sunlight shining in, in a room filled with white flowers. This painting aims to give viewers a sense of serenity, ensuring that in darkness there is light – that their times of calamity can be handled, with flowers resembling the groups of readers who are not alone within these times. From a biological perspective, flowers serve a purpose to others, yet are usually representative of the simple yet beautiful element of living where they were naturally meant to be. This represents the readers who want to be writers and artists, and the bouquets represent unity. This image emphasizes on dark times coming to an end if addressed correctly, and of how readers should pursue what they truly want; just like Janáček did. This image will link to the featured interview that we will have with Janáček, which will discuss how he was able to cope with his financial and emotional struggles, and how he was able to overcome the stage of disengagement. The sense of Olga being the only family bond is similar to how the Samsas experience a form of disintegration after Gregor’s metamorphosis. Spolu aims to teach readers how a permanent negative outcome can be avoided – by encouraging them to use these pieces as a form of addressing their anxieties, like how Janáček composed a cantata in dedication of Olga to address his. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 25 Execution 2: Interview MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 26 5. Populist World The populist world that Spolu will draw inspiration from within this era will be the artists, writers, and composers of the working class. These are the members who were expected to be burdened with careers they did not initially wish to aspire within, but turned their own life around through creating their own ideals. Like Gregor, several members of the Czech nation are going through this “metamorphosis” resulting from their frustration. This caused several to go astray, and be separated from their jobs, families, and human selves – but ironically freed them form their burdens. Though they unable to pay off debts, near the end Gregor expresses his content with his current state, and being “free” from his employer (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009). Nonetheless, this does separate Gregor from his family – Gregor “thought how simple everything would be if he had some help.” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p.80), and this is the concern Spolu will address. 6. Cultural Disruption: Death This concept of “disengagement” comes to an abrupt end where Gregor Samsa, the “monstrous vermin” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p.29) reaches his end in the world of The Metamorphosis symbolizing the end of an era of disengagement. However, with his death is the birth of a new ideology – communism – which is an extension of the book. This era deals with encouraging the lower working class members to accept their contentment, despite the upper working class suffering from communist oppression. This idea of being “reborn” post political instability is treated by the third era Spolu myth. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 27 VI. THIRD ERA Introduction In Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, the death of Gregor Samsa as a “monstrous vermin” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 29) can be seen as a metaphor to represent the cultural disruption that leads to the end of the second era myth. This is because the second era myth revolves around Gregor’s transformation into a bug, and thus when he dies; it gives rise to a new era outside the world of the book. The third era begins with the start of World War II and the Nazi German invasion in Czechoslovakia. This resulted in the oppression of several citizens in Prague, the capital. The Jewish population living in the area became almost non-existent, as they were either starved or killed (Lonely Planet, n.d.). Some five years later, a Czech Resistance Movement drove the Nazi Germans out of the country and the people of Prague were able to liberate the city. Not long after Czechoslovakia gained independence did communism begin to rise in the country. “Communist economic policies” brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy. People suffered substantially and several were imprisoned or executed for having even the slightest inclination toward democracy (Lonely Planet, n.d.). Despite those oppressed, the lower working class flourished, as they were used as tools to promote the communist regime (Burns, n.d.). After the Nazi German invasion, the lives of these workers improved and they became content with their occupations, due to the effect and importance their work was having on the economy. In The Metamorphosis, after Gregor dies, Gregor’s sister, Grete, his father and mother are ‘reborn.’ Their source of misery, which was Gregor, was no longer a part of their lives and they could move on with their jobs, which they realised was “particularly promising.” They became content with their current situation and optimistic about their future (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 74). Our journal, Spolu, will target these content working individuals as a way in which to demonstrate to them that they are not alone. Despite the oppression and death that several people are facing as a result of communism, Spolu will be a tool in which to show those who are benefitting from this regime, and living in denial, that it is alright to be happy, no matter how dire the economic and political state of the country. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 30 f. Plot Winter is coming soon and flowers are dying out and becoming scarce. Alexander, a worker bee in the beehive community, is the only bee whose monthly supply of flowers from Queen Bee did not wilt. Alexander, therefore, has enough flower pollen to produce honey for his food store. The other worker bees’ flowers have all dried up and died, so they cannot make any honey. Alexander feels he wants to share his pollen with the others in his beehive community; however, Queen Bee does not like any of her bees to share their pollen with others. She feels everyone should make their own honey with their equal amount of flowers given every month. As a result, Alexander feels terribly guilty, as he can make his own honey for his food store while the others cannot. He questions whether he has the right to be happy that he can supply himself with food while the other bees could starve during the coming winter. Alexander decides to fly out of the beehive to get some fresh air and clear his mind. While flying, Alexander comes across another worker bee and they start talking. According to this worker bee, his beehive has a substantial supply of fresh flower pollen, and everyone in his beehive community is able to make honey. Alexander tells the worker bee about his predicament, to which the worker responds by saying that Alexander should not feel guilty with what he has. There are others, like the worker bee himself, who have enough flower pollen to make honey, so he is not alone. The worker bee tells Alexander that he has worked hard to make a living for himself with his honey-making job; therefore, he has the right to be content with his situation even though others may not be. After speaking to the worker bee, Alexander thanks him and flies away, feeling much better that there are other worker bees out there that are contented with their lives and their jobs, just like him. MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 31 g. Execution: “The Worker Bee” Comic Strip MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 32 4. Coauthors The primary coauthor to extend Spolu’s “The Worker Bee” myth is Grete Samsa, in The Metamorphosis. Her personality and character traits are what represents her as a coauthor for this myth. Grete initially takes on the responsibility to take care of Gregor as a “monstrous vermin” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 29). Eventually Grete treats her responsibility like an overbearing chore as opposed to the loving and caring duties of a sibling. In the end, Grete is the one who decides that Gregor is the source of all their issues and that he is no longer a part of their family, and thus they need to “get rid of it” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 69). Grete uses the concept of the possibility of a content life as a way in which to justify the need for her brother’s death. Grete indicates that her parents should not feel guilty, for if Gregor were truly a member of their family, he would not be causing them so much misery. This is evident when Grete says: “it has to go…if it were Gregor, he would have understood long ago that it’s not possible for human beings to live with a beast like that…” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 69). Thus, Grete strongly believes that her family should pursue the lives they are capable of living despite the dire situation, because they have the opportunity to better their futures. Grete’s determination and straightforwardness toward the situation is what drives this concept of accepting to have a content life because Grete feels it is Gregor’s duty to provide them with at least this because of what the Samsa family had to endure when Gregor transformed into a bug. 5. Populist World The populist world that Spolu draws its inspiration from and ultimately targets is that of the lower working class; in particular, sales assistants and seamstresses. Grete, in the end, works as a sales assistant and Gregor’s mother sews lingerie for a “fashion shop” (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 60). These can be considered as mediocre jobs; however, despite their situation at the end of the book, with the death of Gregor, their work seems to take on more meaning. Their jobs have potential to turn their lives into something much more promising. The Samsa family begins to think of purchasing a new home in a new location; which thus relates to the family’s new beginnings (Kafka, Crick & Robertson, 2009, p. 74). Spolu will use this populist MCOM401 – Creative Executions in IMC Awada, Choucri, Habib, Omar Spring, 2016, Odekhiren Amaize American University in Dubai 35 REFERENCES Antonin Dvorak (2005). Biography | antonin-dvorak.cz. 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