Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Literary Analysis

Franz Kafka’s stories and novels contain such disturbing situations that the word Kafkaesque has been created to define the most unpleasant and bizarre aspects of everyday modern life. A master of dark humor and an artist of unique vision, Kafka captures perfectly the anxiety and absurdity of contemporary urban society (Norton Anthology 1866). In 1912, Kafka produced his longest, as well as his most famous novella written, The Metamorphosis. Metamorphosis means change, which is something readers see a lot of in this novella. It is about a young man, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up and sees that is has been transformed into a bug. He, as well as his families, lives are completely turned upside down. They had all depended so heavily on Gregor, and

they were all very ungrateful. He had given up his own life to pay off his father’s debt, as well as help with financial costs of living for his entire family. Kafka is showing readers the sacrifices people make in order to help the ones they love, and the thanklessness so many people display in regards to that. One of the saddest aspects in this piece of work is the love Gregor feels for his family, and how little of it is returned. From the beginning of the story, it is clear he will do whatever is necessary to support his loved ones, even if they do very little for themselves. When he becomes an insect, the strength of family devotion and compassion are tested. Gregor is rejected, and it seems as though Kafka believes there is no such thing as unconditional love.
Gregor Samsa lived with his mother, father, and sister Greta. He spent his entire life working to pay off his father’s debts, as well as supports all their other financial needs. He was entirely used and taken for granted. When he woke up a bug, his first thought was work. Kafka writes, “What if he called in sick? But that would be mortifying and also suspicious, since Gregor had never once been ill in all his five years of service (Kafka 1881).”It is evident he is a hard worker, doing whatever he needs to do. But even before his transformation, he felt unappreciated and misunderstood. He was the man of the house, while his father sat on the couch all day long. Once he becomes a bug, he loses the power of speech. Although he continues to think, he cannot share his thoughts. Thus when he turns into a reviled insect, the lack of communication Gregor perceived as a man becomes an actuality (Norton Anthology 1879).”An even greater transformation occurs concerning his family. The expected love and support turns into shamefulness and resentment since he has let the family down. The sympathy they feel turns to disgust very quickly. Gregor rapidly becomes an unimportant“it”to them.
When the family needed Gregor, he was there.

He had worked a job he did not enjoy, and even wanted to send his sister to music school. Kafka wrote Gregor out as a good son, a kind brother, and a hard worker. He was, by no means, a bad person. This makes readers question exactly why he was turned into a bug, and died a sad, lonely death. After careful examination of this novella, readers can learn why. Kafka was not trying to make a point out of Gregor, but of his family. His family turned their backs on him of a time of need. Kafka writes, “the apple remained lodged there in his flesh, a visible memento, since no one dared to remove it-seemed to have reminded even his father that Gregor, despite his current lamentable, repulsive form, was a member of the family who should not be treated like the enemy, for family duty dictated that the others swallow down the disgust he aroused in them and show him tolerance, only tolerance (Kafka 1902).”Kafka seems to be saying that family duty is what kept the family members from hurting Gregor. But, family duty does not involve love or compassion or gratefulness. They must “deal” with him. Family duty essentially comes down to suffering the company of ones family because they have no other

choice.
This novella shows a man who is incapable of breaking out of the ties society has placed on him. He is constantly used and mistreated at work, as well as at home. Gregors transition into an insect has forced him to be helpless to all occurrences that take place in his life. Kafka teaches a very simple lesson, in a very absurd way. Individuals must be grateful for those around them. Life is short, and one could never guess the future. While the chances of someone become a bug are impossibly slim, other things could happen. Love is an unbelievably important aspect of a family structure. It is required for a family to truly be happy. Kafka’s novella displays a wonderful message, in the strangest of ways.