Metamorphosis

Book - Metamorphosis

Author- Franz kafka

No. Of pages - 70

Rating- 4.7

Review written by - Vridhi Jain

I didn’t know what to expect when I first decided to read Franz Kafka. But one can never really predict with him and his narrative style. His writings are brilliant because they transport readers to a state that is somewhere between a dream and reality. One is left to navigate the maze of feelings and interpretations at the end of their read.

One such story by Kafka is "The Metamorphosis" first published in 1915, considered as a modernist text and a masterpiece of existential literature. Kafkaesque writing style is often characterized as abounding in absurdity, disorientation, and existential angst where individuals grapple with dehumanizing systems and their insignificance.

The story opens with the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, waking up one morning to find himself

transformed into a giant insect. The narrative primarily focuses on Gregor's emotional and

psychological struggle to come to terms with his new form, as well as the reactions of his family to his transformation. At first, he thinks to himself, “How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense”. Gregor is mentally and physically tired but his duty to provide for his family forces him to work a thankless job.

As he struggles to adapt to his insect-like body, Gregor becomes increasingly isolated and alienated from the human world. His family is mortified when they see him. The only speck of human decency shown to him is by his sister who offers him food and cleans his room.

However, as Gregor’s state becomes rather a burden to the family members, they grow more agitated.

His family's initial shock and eventual repulsion reflect the way societal norms can be prioritized over familial bonds. The constant fear of what others will think and would be disgusted at such a sight overpowers their concern for Gregor’s insect-like body’s well-being. His transformation prompts the family to confront their values, desires, and attitudes toward responsibility.

“I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside

me. I cannot even explain it to myself.” The complexity of Gregor’s transformation and his

attempts to understand and deal with this change is explored to the extent that Kafka delves into existential questions about identity, purpose, and meaning. In a society where wealth and position are valued above all else, the concerns surrounding the origins of this technical marvel have no place. Thus, thinking about one's identity and purpose in life seems redundant.

Gregor’s sense of self, his identity as the family provider, and his position within the family are all put to the test by Gregor's ‘metamorphosis’. Readers are prompted to consider the absurdity of life itself and the follies of human existence. Even today, in our materialistic and power-hungry society where the ‘self’' is taken for granted, the ideas of the novella still apply to every single person.

The investigation of alienation, identity, and the absurdity of human life in "The Metamorphosis" is therefore disturbing and provocative. The unique narrative approach and symbolic storytelling of Kafka make it an engrossing read and would encourage you as readers to reflect on the intricacies of life, society, and the self.

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If you turned into a bug one day , what's the first thing you would do ??