What Changes Occur in Kafka's Metamorphosis - Assignment Example

The Metamorphosis Metamorphosis refers to a physical development which results to change in an animal’s bodystructure. This change leads to an ultimate change of habit and behavior. Franz Kafka uses the book ‘The Metamorphosis’ diversely to bring out various mutually exclusive interpretations. The book uses modern literally scheme to portray symbolism in human alienation through a man transformed into an insect (Sollars, 2008:515). Kafka portrays several changes in this inclusive story. This paper discusses in length the different changes that occurred in the book ‘The Metamorphosis’ and the optimistic impacts of the changes. The story ‘The Metamorphosis’, discusses about a man known as Gregor who works as a travelling salesman. The story entirely discusses about the change of Gregor into a big enormous insect. Gregor wakes up one morning only to find himself as a big insect (Kafka, 2008:2). His metamorphosis to an insect is portrayed as an extended metaphor concrete to reality. In essence, he becomes a slave trapped in his meaningless work and isolated from other those who surround him. After his metamorphosis, he fails to accept the reality. He tries to handle the consequences and terms of understanding himself and the reality. His change leads to an abrupt rejection from the family members and those around him. Since he is the family’s breadwinner, he stops going to work and he becomes enclosed in his room. Gregor’s father takes up his responsibility of supporting his family financially. His attitude towards his son changes to one full of disgust and hatred (Sokel, 2002:218) His father treats him with disapproval and censure. When he tries to get out of the room, his father hushes him back by throwing apples at him that severely hurt his body. Gregor’s father shows no pity to his transformed figure. Despite the harsh treatment, Gregor still hopes that he would one day receive acceptance back to the family. He remains patient for the day to come. His isolation emotionally hurt him as he spends all the time in his dark room all alone. He lacks sleep either day or night thinking of the isolation offered to him by his family members who there before seemed loving and passionate. The family’s living style changes to one full of misery. After Gregor’s metamorphosis, his family’s financial status drops abruptly. This forces his sister to work as a sales clerk in order to support the family. In addition, Gregor’s mother results to knitting to help the family. His father regrets of the hard life he faces in his old age. Their household budget changes and the house cleaner is dismissed replaced by a poor dirty looking woman takes full responsibility of all the house chores including Gregor. The mother and sister sell their knick-knacks to earn some more money for the family’s upkeep (Kafka, 2005:44). Gregor’s sister changes from the loving sister she used to be towards Gregor to a sister full of hatred. She becomes less attentive and affectionate to her brother. His room that she used to clean remains as dirty as ever leaving the responsibility to Gregor himself. Although she cleans the room occasionally, smears of dirt appear on the walls. His once loving sister shows not even a bit of affection to him. She fails to understand how to please him and ends up pushing food or any other thing in Gregor’s room with her foot (Lucht, 2010:194). This becomes very painful for Gregor as he faces denial from his only sister who is to stand for him during this hard time. When she comes home from work in the evening, she is not concerned whether her brother ate his food or not. She uses a broom to sweep it away from the room. Grete fails to accept reality and appreciate his brother’s change of form. Gregor faces alienation from humanity. He has no one to stand for him. His sister rejects him and more so fears him. His mother, though she tries to understand her son’s situation, she also rejects him and fears him. They always find themselves running away from him as he approaches them. The love he is supposed to get from his family members become just like a dream to him (Kafka, 2008:4). As his sister plays violin, Gregor is attracted and opts to give her company and listen to her music. However, his sister fails to understand him and runs away from him. Moreover, it becomes very hurting for Gregor when the room has to be re-arranged in order to accommodate three more borders in the room. This aims at increasing the family’s financial income. The room becomes less spacious for Gregor’s movement but he has to cope up with it. The house helper one evening forgets to lock Gregor’s room and leaves it open. This enables him to see the three new borders. Although Grete tries her best to please them by playing the violin, the feel bored with her performance. Gregor who is amused by his sister’s talent, stays put watching at her sing. The borders however spot him and feel disgusted making Gregor’s father annoyed (Kafka, 2005:44). They complain of the poor conditions of the apartment. Efforts to make them stay fail and the borders decide to leave without even paying rent. Misfortunes and misery compel the family in planning a way of getting rid of Gregor. They think of Gregor going to a further extent of ruining their life. Gregor’s father wishes that his son could only understand and leave at his own accord. Gregor who understands it all pulls himself back to his room. Physical and psychological torture result to his death. His family rejoices at the death of Gregor and orders the house cleaner to burry him. It becomes a great sense of relief to the family (Houwer, 2010:12). Gregor’s father kicks out both the three borders and the house help out of the house. This becomes a new beginning in the lifestyle of the family. They change from their old lifestyle to a better one. They immediately go for a holiday journey to the countryside. They settle for a new apartment and Grete changes her form to the once beautiful girl. It is at this point when her parents consider her fit for marriage. Change as depicted from the story optimistically affects the family. Gregor’s metamorphosis forces his father to take full responsibility of the family that had been Gregor’s burden. Every member of the family understands that they all have responsibilities to adhere. From the hardships experienced by the family, Grete learns to take up responsibility of even maintaining a family of her own. The family recognizes that it is better off without Gregor (Sollars, 2008:512). They often viewed him as the hero of the family before his transformation. However, his metamorphosis leads them to a shuffle of weighty problems. Upon his death, the family is relieved a heavy burden of trials and tribulations from their shoulders and admit that their life is far much better off with Gregor. In conclusion, it is necessary for every individual to take full responsibility in life. Each person should be ready to face the outcomes of life. Changes occur in life some optimistic while others pessimistic. In spite the change that occurs, an individual should be ready to face it and appreciate it. An individual should be independent and show no much expectancy from others. It is also important to note that changes in life should not change an individual’s attitude towards those around him/her. One should accept reality in life and live with it rather than pose blames on someone else as the ultimate reason for the change. Bibliography Houwer, G. 2010. Into the White. Kafka and His Metamorphoses. Acco: ACCO. Kafka, F. 2005. The Metamorphosis: Literary Touchstone. Tualatin: Prestwick House Inc. Kafka, F. 2008. The Metamorphosis: by Franz Kafka, Translated. Vatican: MobileReference. Kafka, F. et. al. 2008. Metamorphosis. New York: Lulu.com. Lucht, M. 2010. Kafka's creatures: animals, hybrids, and other fantastic beings. New York: Lexington Books. Sokel, W. 2002. The myth of power and the self: essays on Franz Kafka. American: Wayne State University Press. Sollars, M. et.al. 2008. The Facts on File Companion to the World Novel. New York: Infobase Publishing. Read More