the metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis is one of the most famous Franz Kafka novellas that has survived from the beginning of the 20th century to today. Kafka emphasizes the transformations that the main characters endure through a series of unfortunate events. Throughout the novella, physical, emotional and psychological changes test the family’s will to stick together. As the role of each family member begins to shift and adjust, the dual meaning of the title becomes apparent. Kafka’s title, The Metamorphosis, embodies the transformations that the main characters go through throughout the novella.

The main character in The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa, undergoes transformations both physically and psychologically that determine the events for the rest of his life. Kafka captured his audience’s attention by opening The Metamorphosis with Gregor’s physical transformation into an insect. As Gregor lifts his head from his bed he feels his now rock-hard back and sees the brown ridged sections that consume his belly. Gregor soon realizes that his bug-like physique is going to prevent him from completing his daily activities; some as simple as sleeping. Gregor’s transformation into an insect is one of the most shocking metamorphosis’ experienced in the entire novella. The absurdity that a grown man can physically change into a bug overnight provides a shock factor and initiates the plot of the novella. By transforming into a bug, Gregor is the first example of a metamorphosis. As a result of Gregor’s physical metamorphosis, he also succumbs to a psychological transformation the longer he lives in his insect body. Gregor accepts his new physical form and begins using it to his advantage. He develops a love for food scraps and climbs the walls of his room fo...

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...tamorphosis deals with physical, psychological and emotional transformations in multiple characters. Although Gregor Samsa’s physical transformation was the most grotesque and obvious, his psychological metamorphosis correlated with his mutation. While Gregor is dealing with the most unbelievable transformation, both Mrs. Samsa and Grete undergo a subtle metamorphosis of their own. Mrs. Samsa’s love for her son soon turned into disgust and horror as well as indifference towards her son’s feelings. Lastly, Grete endures the most subtle transformation of all. Her ascension into adulthood occurs throughout the novel and initiated by her brothers bug-like form. All three characters embody what it means to go through a metamorphosis. Kafka directly named his novella The Metamorphosis because of the physical, psychological and emotional changes the main characters endure.