The Metamorphosis

“Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is about a man named Gregor Samsa who is a young salesperson that hates his job. His family is financially dependent on the income he produces. One day Gregor wakes up in the realization that he has transformed into a giant insect. He immediately begins to struggle with his new “body” and fails to understand the reality of the situation. His human emotions and qualities still exist as he tries to precede his normal life. This is an unrealistic situation and surreal on many different levels. Its almost as if Gregor is unaware of his physical state, continuing his daily routine. When his family finds out about has happened, they instantly begin to ostracize him, treating him as an outcast. Gregor has trouble being accepted by the society around him and fights to express him self. His room is used as a storage area for excess furniture, disregarding Gregor’s existence and denying him his personal space as a person. Despite Gregors physical features he still suffers from emotion; feeling neglected and isolated from his family. The author makes it seem as if Gregor, before his transformation was just looked upon as merely an income rather than a son or a brother. There is one point in the story though where his sister Grete is sought playing the violin and acknowledges Gregors interest in her performing. At this point I feel like she realizes the fact that he is not only her brother, yet still the same human being he once was. But it ends up being too late and Gregor dies later that night. His family picks up and leaves soon after. They failed to realize the truth in time. The family was so wrapped up in their own personal perceptions that they never gave Gregor a chance of acceptance. Franz Kafka’s literature was interesting in its style. Never have I read a book so irrational and unrealistic. This book really stimulated my idea of “ don’t judge a book by its cover”