Representation - Making Sense of Society - Essay Example

Representation: Making Sense of Society Literature is a unique ‘environment’ based on real and unreal events, the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’.The novel Metamorphosis by F. Kafka vividly illustrates the boundary between the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ helping readers to distinguish these two worlds. At the same time, it is important to note that literary perception depends upon the experience of the reader, which determines the given boundary between two frames. Following Greenblatt (year); literature renegotiates the boundary between the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’, and Metamorphosis; that is vividly reflected in this literary phenomenon. The boundary between the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ is influenced by culture, traditions and the habits of readers. According to Greenblatt; culture is formed by: “gestures toward what appear to be opposite things: constraint and mobility” (1995, 226). From the very beginning, Kafka, introduces beliefs and cultural norms which will shape the novel. In spite of the fact that Gregor Samsa; has been transformed into an insect, he cannot stop thinking about his Chief at work, and the possible consequence of his ‘sickness’. He comments: “The boss would be sure to come with the health-insurance doctor, blame his parents for their lazy son, and cut of all excuses” (260). In this case, the ‘abnormal’ is used as boundary, which is close to us, but to all intense and purpose, cannot be seen by common people. Transformations force the protagonist to look for new ways and methods to change his life; fighting with personal prejudices and stereotypes are cited, which leads, Gregor Samsa, to come to the conclusion that traditional knowledge limits understanding of the self; and the world, and starts to seek for another source. The contextual transformations, challenge the traditional boundaries between the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’ showing that our understanding, and world perception is based on "beliefs and practices… which function as a pervasive technology of control" (Greenblatt 1995, 226). Growth and metamorphosis are the unifying themes in the novel; out of which, is formed, the fully reconstituted spiritual knowledge and power of the ‘normal’ vs ‘abnormal’. The work of literature stipulates this boundary, and shows the reader that their understanding depends upon cultural stereotypes and background. To some extent, the boundary between the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’ is purely based on the reader’s acceptance or rejection of a reality, that determines the level of the authors, evolution and transformation of the heroes: “it must have been a month since Gregor’s metamorphosis, and there was certainly no particular reason any more for his sister to be astonished at Gregor’s appearance” (273). Literature, can as this novel has shown; allow people to depend upon their own fears and terrors. Metamorphosis symbolizes that people are surrounded by an unknown world, which they try to master and subdue; but in reality, they are caught by their own prejudices and superstitions that prevent them experiences in the world around. For example, people believe that transformations are impossible, but in the character of Gregor, Kafka, we see portrayed, that this anomaly can happen, under certain conditions through the metaphor of language and prose. It is clear that to the reader that, on the one hand, these beliefs support ‘the abnormal’ created by society, but on the other hand, these beliefs symbolize the narrowness of the human mind, and our knowledge about the greater universe. It supports the spiritual nature of Gregor, and yet still represents a determinant factor of his personal development; as the most important culture determines that …“what is appropriate" for the society (Greenblatt 1995, 226). Kafkas grasp of the subtleties of his environment is evident on every page of Metamorphosis; but the novel is far more than a mere description of events. For while deploying descriptive detail in its realistic way, it is also of necessity to build up a rich and convincing illusion of characters and the world that they inhabit. Kafka turns realism against itself, using the very same material. In revealing Gregor’s increasingly painful alienation, it becomes clear that the substance of this created world is a paradigm of fiction, even for the characters themselves, though most of them do not realize it! His father’s question: “But how can it be Gregor? If it was Gregor, he would have realized long ago that it is not possible for human beings to live with such a creature, and he would have gone away of his own free will” (285). The writing is filled with meaning and symbolism although Kafka uses a narrative style that does not contain a word of agenda, dogma, or personal belief. In this way, such a boundary contains knowledge that is hidden, but gives provides hints to allow for comprehending. In this novel, culture "functions as the regulator and guarantor of movement" (Greenblatt 1995, 228). Kafka portrays evolution of social norms and self-identity, evolution of morality and values of the main character. The author depicts that ‘the boundary’ is an integral part of our life; it is a driven force of social progress or regress. It is possible to say that literature renegotiates the boundary between the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ which is used as a the very lens of emotional, and empowers the psychological state of the characters, that will shape and re-shape the atmosphere of the novel. Kafka addresses such universal virtues as equality and faith, and gives insight, looking into spiritual world of every person. The gentle tangibility of the novel, brings together the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’ streams of freedom and innovation to the narration through illusion and mysticism. The cultural traditions of Metamorphosis is based on a simple contrast; natural instinct versus social hypocrisy. Gregor describes his state: “I did not surprise him; rather, it seemed unnatural that until now he had actually been able to propel himself on these thin little legs” (286). It is important to concentrate on the text as a cover of "structures for the accumulation, transformation, representation, and communication of social energies and practices" (Greenblatt 1995, 229). Metamorphosis shows that literature renegotiates the boundary between the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’ depicting traditions, norms, values and ideals. Literature is important because it portrays a way of living built up by human beings, it unveils their actions and consequences of these actions from different perspectives determining the ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal. This novel pays particular attention to the attributes of human dignity as important vehicles for understanding the very differences between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ in their reactions to communication and behaviour. Gregor comments” “Once Ive gotten the money together to pay off my parents debt to him—that will probably take another five or six years—Im going to do it without fail. Then I’m going to make the big break” (260). It is clear that the Reader, need to know in what context they find a person in order to evaluate it, or, in the case of language, how a word or words are used. This novel depicts modernity and ‘large social structures’ (Greenblatt 1995, 227) that influence the world of literature. The protagonist of the novel, is the vivid example of how literature renegotiates the boundary between the ‘thinkable’ and the ‘unthinkable’. Also, for some readers, Metamorphosis can simply serves as a field of dreams, where everything is possible. Looking at this problem, it is evident that people need something to believe in, or at best, fear. Metamorphosis; is a type of literature that provokes and depicts confrontation between imaginary and the real worlds created by ‘cultivation’ (Greenblatt 1995, 227) of social traditions. Read More