Brief Plot Summary

LSOR:
-main character Boualem Yekker
-he enters a city ruled by a religious doctorine
-he experiences severe lonliness because he doesn't share the same beliefs as his fellow countrymen
-Throughout the story there are flashbacks as well as dream sequences that go on
- the first is a flashback to when Boualem and his family are out on a camping trip and how tranquil and relaxed they are
-next comes the dream sequences in which Boualem kills his corrupted son
-The next portion of the story is Boualem's perspective on how society has changed under religious rule (i.e hotels being shut down, music and art being destroyed, separating genders in all aspects of life)
-Boualem is attacked by children and this really disturbs him
-Boualem is still a pacifist but in his mind he believes himself to be a coward
-his daughter is ashamed of him because he is a non-believer
-there is mass hysteria in the streets
-the religious society goes on to mock and belittle all scientists and philosophers
-Boualem reflects back on some pictures of family and how that was the only time in which they were truly human or happy
-Boualem recieves a letter telling him he's booted from this society
-His book store is shut down
-Boualem talks about his childhood and how he had had a life outside of books even though they were his fortress and prison
-He then reflects on all that has happened in his life and in this city and how he hopes and wishes that another spring or age of reason will come to this city

Metamorphosis:
-Gregor wakes up
-He turns into a Cockroach
-He is ashamed of what he has become but is proud that he has provided so well for his family
-He tries to be as polite and appeasing to his family in order to show that he truly does care for them
-he is isolated because he is unable to communicate with them effectively
-The family becomes ragged with the passing of time and hardship of finances
-Greggor is shooed away and an apple is lodged into his back after his father threw it at him in a bout of rage
-Gregor becomes depressed
-he dies
-the family forgets about him and moves on

by Matthew Davidson