The Presence of Irony in Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis - Book Report/Review Example

The Presence of Irony in Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis" Irony is the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. It is an expression or utterance marked by a deliberate contrast between apparent and intended meaning.1 Irony is present in Kafka's Metamorphosis where the main character, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, was transformed into a vermin upon arising from bed one morning. The irony found in the story consists of the following: Gregor's metamorphosis only made him a more selfless individual, considerate, and humane. Gregor's transformation from a human being into a horrible-looking insect was only a physical one, not involving the rest of his personhood. He was still able to think and feel humanely, indicating the metamorphosis to be purely physical. Although this transformation gave him several pains and a condition of mishap, he was still able to feel all the sufferings it brought. The rejection from people and his own family was unbearable, yet he needed to contain himself alone in his room, suffer the misfortune, and from time to time peek on the windows to see people and vehicles hideously. This metamorphosis is a conscious one as it is physical - very apparent and tangible, which people can easily have a sight of. This is the reason why Gregor was alienated and excluded from the normal ways of life, which a normal person is supposed to undertake. Having a job, associating with people and friends, and normally doing all the everyday way of life such as eating, drinking, taking a bath, reading the daily paper, etc. were all denied of him because of his condition. Moreover, Gregor's metamorphosis was a very heavy burden, one in which return to an old self is (almost) impossible. People misjudged him to be a real bug, a horrendous monster, devoid of human emotions and rationality. Hence, he was not given a chance to show them his need of love, belongingness, and acceptance since his very ghastly appearance prevents people from taking him. Grete made her own metamorphosis as she grew into a woman - one that is not easily noticed, since such is beyond physicality. This is another irony in the story, the metamorphosis of Grete. At first, she was a loving and kind sister to her metamorphosing brother, sent him food, fixed his things, cleaned his messy room, and talked kindly to him. However, as she grew older past her adolescence into a woman, she has turned utterly different from the young girl who was so fond of his brother. As her own parents noticed her beautiful curves and pretty face, her character toward her brother became all the more mean and spiteful. This was how Grete's metamorphosis took place- a covert one. It may be inferred that as Gregor turned into an appalling bug, yet kept a human sensitivity inside its shell, Grete metamorphosed her character as well, and instead of having an ugly appearance, became lovelier and more attractive. Hence, her metamorphosis was not apparent since such is of character. The weight of affection that Grete extended to her brother is the same as its weight when she learned to loathe him. This is another irony in Kafka's novel. At first, Grete was so fond of Gregor, did everything for him, and had a unique relationship with him. She was the only one who reached out to him, consoled him in his misfortune, gave him comfort, and offered to do certain errands for him. The earlier passage of the novel indicates that despite his brother's appearance, Grete was unmindful, trying to see the person who lies beyond the hard shell of the smelly insect, with several feet on its sides. But upon her own metamorphosis, Grete's affection for her brother turned into its total opposite to the point that she wanted him out of the house and their lives. In her attempt to terminate the insect, she told her parents, "We must try to get rid of it. It will be the death of both of you, I can see it coming. It has to go."2 Her brother to whom she was once affectionate was no longer "He," but "it." She saw the complete disappearance of Gregor the human into Gregor the beetle, and forgets that he can still feel just like how they, as humans, do. Gregor's metamorphosis did not take account of the corresponding potential of the characteristics of the bug that he assumed. Gregor metamorphosed into a bug, was powerless about it, and totally succumbed into helplessness, alienation, and rejection. In much the same way, his helplessness, alienation, and rejection were social in character. One can just imagine how it is to be totally alienated and rejected socially, not necessarily through a literal transformation into a dung beetle. However, as already pointed out, such metamorphosis was only a physical one, and his internal body organs were perhaps not metamorphosed into those of an insect that he can still feel sorrow and pain about his condition. It is ironic that he was supposed to be the bug - the monster - that must wreak monstrous actions to his family and the entire household, but the reverse of it took place. Rather, his monstrousness made him powerless instead of powerful, developed a better understanding about the people around him instead of bullying them and inflicting them with vicious acts. When in the scene where his sister Grete finished with her impromptu recital of the violin and he could not contain to hide himself, he peeked in the living room with several people and decided that he could no longer bear forever hiding from people. When he showed up, it was to be made known of his condition, probably hopeful that people will accept him and his misery will end at last. But it was the opposite, as people ran out of fear and disgust. This is perhaps another irony found in the novel, which may be associated with real "coming out" of someone who, for long, hid himself within and drew a sigh of relief when after doing so, people accepted him and the feeling of rejection took an end. The same is however not true in the case of Gregor, indicating that a "thing" like him has no place among people. Indeed, he physically turned into an insect, but such transformation was not tolerated. However, if one's character transforms into an insect, just like the case of Grete, such is tolerated - probably because of the covertness of the transformation, or simply because people have been living with bug-like characters anyway. References Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Kessinger Publishing, 1912. pp. 51-52. 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