Franz Kafka's *The Metamorphosis* explores the life of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who awakens transformed into a giant insect. The narrative delves into themes of alienation, family dynamics, and the absurdity of existence as Gregor's metamorphosis leads to his family's rejection and his eventual demise. Kafka's work highlights the struggle for survival in a world that prioritizes economic contribution over human connection. This analysis is essential for students and readers interested in existential literature and the psychological implications of Kafka's storytelling.

Key Points

  • Analyzes the transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect and its impact on family dynamics.
  • Explores themes of alienation and absurdity in human existence as depicted in Kafka's writing.
  • Examines the family's reaction to Gregor's metamorphosis and their subsequent neglect.
  • Discusses the significance of economic survival and familial obligation in the context of Gregor's life.
newtopiccyclegrowin
5 pages
Literature
newtopiccyclegrowin
5 pages
Literature
339
/ 5
US-China Foreign Language, June 2023, Vol. 21, No. 6, 209-213
doi:10.17265/1539-8080/2023.06.001
Life of a Small Family in an Absurd World in
The Metamorphosis
SONG Wei
Anhui Hefei Medical and Health School, Hefei, China
The Metamorphosis written by Franz Kafka describes an absurd story about a traveling salesman—Gregor, who
became deformed under the great physical and mental pressure and the changes of life within his family before and
after his metamorphosis. In order to survive in an absurd world, he worked very hard and took the responsibility to
support the whole family. But he was deserted by his family after the metamorphosis and died in loneliness and
despair at the end just because his family wanted to survive in the society without heavy burden. The only link
between family members is money in an alienated world.
Keywords: absurd, Gregor, The Metamorphosis, survive
Introduction
Franz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary
critics and academics regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century. The term “Kafkaesque” has
become part of the English language. In his brief four decades alive, he created a body of work that had influenced
almost everything written since, not even James Joyce had such an impact. The Metamorphosis is probably the
best-known story written by him. This elusive story, which chronicles the transformation of Gregor Samsa from
a human being into an enormous insect, is renowned for its ability to inspire diverse, sometimes mutually
exclusive interpretations.
Critical interest in the novel has been considerable since its first appearance. In addition to the attention
critics have placed on thematic analysis of The Metamorphosis, several critics have observed its sustained realism,
which contrasts with the initially fantastic occurrence of Gregor’s transformation into an insect. Many critics
have also offered psychoanalytical interpretations of The Metamorphosis, seeing in the work a dramatization of
particularly modern neuroses. For its technical excellence, as well as for the nightmarish and fascinating nature
of the metamorphosis itself, Kafka’s story has elicited a vast amount of interest, and its various problematic
features continue to challenge its readers.
An Absurd World
In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka wanted to represent the absurdity of the condition of human life, the
sense of alienation of human existence. Already from the first lines of the short story, the reader becomes aware
of the grotesque absurd reality which is experienced by the protagonist, Gregor Samsa: “When Gregor Samsa
SONG Wei, M.A., assistant lecturer, Research Center, Anhui Hefei Medical and Health School, Hefei, China.
DAVID PUBLISHING
D
LIFE OF A SMALL FAMILY IN AN ABSURD WORLD IN THE METAMORPHOSIS
210
woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin”
(Kafka, 1972, p. 3). By creating this unusual metamorphosis which intermingles with ordinary life and people,
Kafka aimed at representing the absurdity of the human existence, but also a deep sense of alienation. Gregor
Samsa feels detached and alienated from his life, his job, and his family and the result is the refusal to be liked
by the other ones. Unfortunately, instead of finding a positive way out, he turns into a repulsive useless enormous
bug.
The process of metamorphosis creates monsters, this is what Kafka seems to suggest, and there is no possible
solution but death. As a matter of fact, the short-story ends with Gregor’s death, thrown away by the family, who
after his transformation was unable to accept him and understand the reasons of his anguish and sufferings. The
total lack of pity of the family members contributes to create the vision of a grotesque, absurd, inhuman world.
Realizing the absurdity and the alienation, Kafka’s heroes, Gregor, may fell an urgent desire to escape, to change
completely their status, to be removed by their sense of paralysis. Kafka’s pessimism, however, does not provide
a happy and successful solution. So, the point in Kafka’s short story is the allegorical and absurd representation
of his pessimistic vision of the world.
The Way of Survival Before the Metamorphosis
At the beginning of The Metamorphosis, without giving any reasons, Kafka described like this: “When
Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a
monstrous vermin” (1972, p. 3). Obviously, the story began in an absurd situation. But we reader all know that
it is of nonsense. Nobody would become a vermin after the sleep. But it makes us wondered why such a man got
the metamorphosis. And we can analysis the metamorphosis from two aspects.
The Relationship Within His Company
He worked in the job he did not like to earn money to support his family. For many times he wanted to quit
his work but each time he said to himself, “Besides, I have to provide for my parents and my sister” (1972, p.
15). But sometimes he complained:
What a grueling job I’ve picked! Day in, day out—on the road. The upset of doing business is much worse than the
actual business in the home office, and, besides, I’ve got the torture of traveling, worrying about changing trains, eating
miserable food at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate. (1972, pp. 3-4)
Because his father went bankrupt, he had to work to pay off the debts and to earn the bread for the whole
family. He did not like the job at all and wanted to get rid of the job as soon as possible. To work is the only way
to survive for him and his family.
The Relationship With His Family
At the beginning of story, Gregor Samsa, the protagonist, appears as a young and energetic man. He applies
himself with great earnestness to his grinding work as a traveling salesman, not only because he wants to support
his parents and pay off the debts that they incurred, but because he dreams of sending his sister, Grete, to a
conservatory where she can learn to play violin professionally. His devotion to his family demonstrates just how
thoughtful and compassionate Gregor is. We can see that Gregor lived under great pressure, but with great
satisfaction at the same time. And his family lives with a good conscience on the proceeds. It is a harmonious
relationship, although on the surface.
LIFE OF A SMALL FAMILY IN AN ABSURD WORLD IN THE METAMORPHOSIS
211
The Way of Survival After the Metamorphosis
Gregor—Human Nature With Vermin Body
“When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed
into a monstrous vermin” (Kafka, 1972, p. 3). This transformation becomes only the first impulse, which causes
a lot of changes in his internal and external world. After physical change, transformation passes to higher level
and changes mental structures of Gregor. So caring to his family, he becomes surprisingly indifferent to their
opinion. “It hardly surprised him that he was showing so little consideration for the others; once such
consideration had been his greatest pride” (p. 45). After the metamorphosis, the most urgent thing for Gregor was
not that why he turned into a vermin or how about his own physical condition, but about his grinding work and
indifferent boss. He would lose his job if he was late for his work. And that meant that he could no longer support
his family. And when Gregory did not let anyone into his room, he thought that family was worried about his
condition. But in reality, his family were just worried that Gregor would lose his job as he himself did. How
ridiculous the situation is!
Metamorphosis turns him into insect and this event reveals real attitude to him. His family, so loving and
caring, very soon becomes indifferent to a bug, which cannot earn money to support them. Gregor, who dedicated
his life to his parents and sister, was simply used by them. Since the metamorphosis had become an unchangeable
fact, the attitude of his family toward him changed subsequently. At first, the family members still cared about
him. His sister often fed him with food and would spend time finding what food he liked, but the heavy burden
of the family made her busy and have no time to notice her vermin brother. And as time went by, she could not
put up with his abnormal shape and disgusting smell. As a vermin, his habits and tastes could not being
understood by his sister, which increased their estrangement. Under this circumstances, she asked to move the
furniture out of Gregor’s room, which made Gregor very anxious. So, he decided to stop them in a gentle way.
But to his surprise, his appearance caused a disturbance. His mother was scared to faint with outstretched arms
across the couch and did not stir. His father filled his pockets from the fruit bowl and pitched one apple after
another to bombard him. The wound caused by the apple became a fatal one.
His Parents and Sister—Human Shape With Beastliness
After Gregor’s metamorphosis, everyone in the Samsa family experienced changes brought on. Since
Gregor’s physical change rendered him no longer able to work, the family’s financial situation changed. Both his
parents and sister began to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family. Turning into a bug, Gregor
caused a lack of harmony among the family members. In order to cut the family cost, they made room for three
tenants. The whole family flattered them constantly. Before going into the kitchen, his father came into this room
and, bowing once, cap in hand, made a turn around the table. And his mother and sister always watched anxiously
to see whether their tenants were satisfied with their food. And his sister was so pleased to play violin for the
rude and vulgar tenants. It forms a distinct comparison between their warmth to the strangers and their
indifference to their family. We have to admit that life is not easy for them either. On the one hand, they had to
take care of the deformed Gregor; on the other hand, they had to survive. But their beastly heart to Gregor has
completely maked us confused, whether Gregor has become deformed or his family have become out of their
shape.
/ 5
End of Document
339

You May Also Like

FAQs

What happens to Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis?
Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a monstrous vermin. This shocking change leads to a profound shift in his relationship with his family, who initially express concern but soon become repulsed by his new form. As Gregor struggles with his identity and the inability to communicate, his family's neglect and eventual rejection illustrate the themes of alienation and the absurdity of existence. Ultimately, Gregor's transformation serves as a catalyst for revealing the true nature of his family's love and their dependency on his financial support.
How does Kafka portray family dynamics in The Metamorphosis?
In *The Metamorphosis*, Kafka presents a complex portrayal of family dynamics that shifts dramatically after Gregor's transformation. Initially, Gregor is the family's primary breadwinner, and his dedication to supporting them is evident. However, once he becomes a burden due to his inability to work, the family's affection quickly deteriorates. The story highlights their selfishness and the conditional nature of their love, as they prioritize their own survival over Gregor's well-being. This transformation in family dynamics underscores Kafka's critique of societal values and the fragility of familial bonds.
What themes are explored in The Metamorphosis?
Kafka's *The Metamorphosis* explores several profound themes, including alienation, identity, and the absurdity of life. Gregor's transformation into an insect symbolizes the ultimate alienation from his family and society, reflecting the struggles of individuals in modern life. The story also examines the conflict between personal identity and societal expectations, as Gregor's worth is measured solely by his ability to provide for his family. Additionally, the absurdity of existence is a recurring motif, as Kafka illustrates the irrational and often cruel nature of human relationships and the indifference of the world.
What is the significance of Gregor's death in The Metamorphosis?
Gregor's death at the end of *The Metamorphosis* serves as a poignant commentary on the themes of alienation and the human condition. His demise is met with indifference by his family, who view it as a relief from the burden he has become. This reaction highlights the transactional nature of their relationships, where love is contingent upon Gregor's ability to contribute economically. Kafka uses Gregor's death to underscore the tragic consequences of societal expectations and the loss of individual identity. Ultimately, his passing symbolizes the failure of familial bonds in the face of existential despair.
How does The Metamorphosis reflect Kafka's views on society?
In *The Metamorphosis*, Kafka reflects his critical views on society through the lens of Gregor Samsa's transformation and subsequent alienation. The story illustrates how societal values prioritize economic productivity over human connection, leading to Gregor's tragic fate. Kafka critiques the lack of empathy and understanding within familial and societal relationships, emphasizing the absurdity of a world where one's worth is measured by their ability to work. Through Gregor's experiences, Kafka conveys a sense of existential despair, highlighting the isolation individuals face in a materialistic society.
What literary techniques does Kafka use in The Metamorphosis?
Kafka employs various literary techniques in *The Metamorphosis* to enhance its themes and emotional impact. The use of surrealism is central to the narrative, as Gregor's transformation into an insect serves as a metaphor for alienation and identity crisis. Kafka's concise and straightforward prose contrasts with the bizarre situation, creating a sense of absurdity. Additionally, the story's structure, which follows Gregor's perspective, allows readers to experience his internal struggles and feelings of isolation. Symbolism is also prevalent, with Gregor's insect form representing societal rejection and the dehumanization of individuals.

Related