Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Essay Example

‘Metamorphosis’ is one of the most remarkable pieces of literature work by Franz Kafka. In this work, Kafka portrays every human being as a matter of metamorphosis. Gregor Samsa, the protagonist, undergoes a very intense physical change that challenges his normal way of social life and even his existence. By profession, he is a traveling salesman who is to assist the family financially. Gregor represents all human beings who are vulnerable to misfortune. To be precise, the fiction ‘Metamorphosis’ discusses how a person normally reacts to unexpected changes in life situations and how swiftly and unkindly the family and society alter their opinion about an individual overnight.
To begin with, the transformed form of Gregor becomes merely a giant insect or a beetle. Franz Kafka narrates the change magnificently “One morning when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin” (Kafka part 1). He could not imagine what had gone wrong. The very outlook indicates a kind of self-dissatisfaction. A change in life can have a comprehensive impact on every moment. His total concept towards his life and profession changes and that brings tremendous influence on his family as well. For instance, Gregor’s mother faints, their sister gets terrified, and their father wonders. Therefore, the first part reveals the significant character of the beetle-resembling Gregor and his contribution to the family. Thereafter things undergo dramatic changes. Finally, this entire responsibility is carried out by Gregor and he makes them understand the real value of being idle. The entire family suffers once he is away from the profession. And there is no doubt that it is the absence that makes a person more important. His thoughts disturb him so much and he suffers a lot from his sleeplessness. It says that “and more because these thoughts had made him upset than through any proper decision, he swang himself with all his force out of the bed” (part 1).

Furthermore, once he goes through the metamorphosis, he suffers from isolation. The story tells that isolation occurs when a person becomes inefficient. Such situations prevent others from approaching one who is not capable enough. Even though others express a negative attitude Gregor has love and concern for their loved ones. Financial instability occurs as he is away from regular work. It reminds us that the absence of one can create many problems in a family environment. After performing an activity with their father, his leg fractures and he takes rest. The attitude of the family changes towards the inefficient person because they realize that he cannot contribute anything to them in the future. However, realizing the real demand of Gregor, his sister offers rotten food and unclean scraps. But the victim’s ideology is entirely different. He is afraid that his departure may cause grievance in the family, and thereby he begins creating inconvenience. Hence, communication and interaction between the family members and Gregor get reduced which is a clear indication of avoiding the useless person. This lack of interaction can be attributed to negligence rather than any language barrier.

The helplessness of one is never appreciated. No one tends to protect a person who is weak and unskilled. Admittedly, it is not just a change in physical appearance that creates problems but the mental and emotional metamorphosis that takes place in the minds of both the victim and those close to him. The victim’s departure ultimately gives a kind of relief and consolation to the family. This shows the intensity of perceptional change that occurred in the minds of the family members. And now they are concerned about Grete who should get married as she is a mature and grown-up lady. It indicates the fact that they were never bothered about the incapable man. It is painful to realize the fact that sometimes people wish for their close one’s departure so that they could smoothly pursue their life goals. And Grete gets more attraction from the parents over time; for, it says “with all the worry they had been having of late her cheeks had become pale, but, while they were talking, Mr. and Mrs. Samsa were struck, almost simultaneously, with the thought of how their daughter was blossoming into a well built and beautiful young lady” (part1). This reflects how unkind society is toward a weaker element. Read More