Metamorphosis

By Franz Kafka

Classic

So, you skipped your English reading assignment on the themes of Kafka's Metamorphosis until the last second. Or maybe you want to delve into the numerous metaphors riddling the text. Either way, the Metamorphosis itself is a delight to read, and I am assuming you have read it before coming here, and want an explanation as to what it is about.  The story is rather short and can be read in an afternoon; I’m not going to tell you to leave now and only come back once you have formed your own perspective on the book, but I will (like many, many, MANY, other writers and bloggers before me) recommend you do choose read the book yourself to fully appreciate it.. Don’t cheat in English class, the book is well worth it.

The story is about a wandering salesman named Gregor Samsa, the sole breadwinner of his family, who awakens to find himself having the misfortune for being turned into a giant insect (depictions of what insect exactly are usually a beetle or a cockroach, depending on the translation or media). His family are mortified by his transformation and while initially sympathetic to his plight, eventually find themselves resenting the young man as they try to figure out how to financially provide for themselves. The story ends with Gregor Samsa, having been exceedingly beaten and abused, finally succumbing to his injuries and starvation as the family (who have undergone their own personal “metamorphosis") move on from their perceived burden and head towards a brighter future (without their dead son).

After reading this synopsis, you may initially think that the story is nonsensical, simple, or has nothing to bring to the table other than a man who happens to turn into a giant beetle. Unfortunately for you (and the joy of everyone else), the story of Metamorphosis thrives on its frequent interpretations, real-world metaphors, and symbolism. The story covers a wide variety of themes; psychological, religious, financial, and as a result the book may touch an entirely different meaning for you than it did for me. These interpretations change the viewpoint of the book from a thematic perspective of course, and also a narrative one that changes how we perceive the characters (Check out the Wikipedia page for the entire list of interpretations, as there have been dozens across the years).

Personally, I find that there are five themes most poignant:

1. Alienation

The entire story of Gregor Samsa, and other of Kafka’s works, center themselves around the alienation and isolation of the protagonis. Gregor Samsa spends the beginning of the book feeling alienated from his family, resenting his dead-end job and feeling relatively detached from everyone before realizing his transformation into a bug. This theme of isolation continues as his family reacts with apparent disgust at Gregor Samsa’s mere existence, confining him to his room and abusing him whenever he escapes. 

2. PTSD and Disability

By an extension of the last theme of Alienation, the plot of Metamorphosis and Gregor Samsa’s transformation can also be seen as an allegory for disability and PTSD. It is briefly mentioned that Gregor Samsa was previously a lieutenant, and his feelings of isolation and alienation with the rest of the world could be inscribed as a form of PTSD, with his transformation being a physical representation of that alienation.

3. Burden on family

Again, tying onto the previous two themes are the notions of burden; outside of Gregor Samsa’s existence, we see the burden his absence has on his family. We see the family suffer financially as the sole breadwinner of the house is stricken with being a bug. We see them change from support to revulsion once it becomes clear that Gregor Samsa’s state is not showing any signs of reversal. And we see, throughout the whole story, Gregor’s lamentations as he and those around him view him as a burden to the family as a whole, and thus ostracize him.

4. Being used by others to support the family; Gregor and his family

One sinister perspective that can be taken throughout the book is that Gregor, even when he was human, was only valued by his family because of the financial liberty he provided to them. When Gregor no longer is the sole income provider of the family, they blame their financial woes on him as they struggle to manage their now dwindling finances as they now must - dramatic pause - work. And rent out spare rooms in the house. Obviously the family does not become destitute and relocates to a cheaper house at the end of the novel, but even when their money troubles are slowing there remains an unspoken idea in the book - this is all Gregors fault. Due to Gregor’s bug-tastic transformation, his parents now have to work, they can’t afford their usual luxurious lifestyle, his sister can no longer take violin lessons, and Gregor… Gregor remains locked up in a room alone while the rest of the family complain of their misfortune and eat dinner together in the dining room. It shows a frightening viewpoint, one where Gregors sole perceived value to the family was providing finance. And that's it. Even when the novel ends, it ends with the parents seeking to marry their daughter off, possibly for money or to use her to provide for the parents and sustain their lifestyle. Possibly not. I am not an expert on arranged marriages in 1915. But the theme of Gregor being solely valued as a fountain of gold for his parents remains.

5. Meta

There are numerous interpretations of this story which place the ideas of Gregor Samsa as a stand-in for Kafka’s father complex, feelings of self-regret and doubts, and family. I am not well versed in Kafka’s life, only summary information being known to me. Kafka was a repressed wet-cat of a man who suffered from EXTREME self-doubt, burned numerous copies of his work out of fears they weren’t good enough, and lived a secluded but extensively well-documented life, with several articles online.

6. I know I said there were only 5, but truthfully there are enough interpretations of Gregor Samsa out there that I am not equipped with the time, knowledge, or preparation to cover them all, and if I were to, then I doubt it would be something I could say quick enough to not take up the next few hours or days. 

It should be noted that the metamorphosis, or change, of the story is reflected in the family, Gregor Samsa’s physical appearance, Gregor Samsa himself as a person, and the environment as everything is forced to undergo a change and transformation by the end of the story. Though some of these themes may not have been in Kafka’s mind at the time of writing, the universal experience of their existence can be applied to the minds of the modern day.

This book is a classic, holds metaphors and writings well-applicable to the modern day, and is very enjoyable. I will recommend 53 cockroaches out of 1 lonely depressed man in a cozy wool bed.