Distortion In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka
In the novel "The Metamorphosis," Franz Kafka uses the distortion of turning the main character into a "monstrous vermin" to highlight the already existing distortion that is his relationship with his family. The story starts off with Gregor waking up and finding himself changed from human form into a grotesque creature. One would surely expect this would evoke a mixture of powerful emotions, however, in Gregors case, it's more of a casual inconvenience. "How about going to sleep for a few minutes and forgetting all this nonsense." His referral to the situation as "nonsense" captures his lack of concern for the matter. In an even more impractical response, his family is filled with fear and shame rather than worry and shock. Before realizing
what it is that's wrong, they rush to get a doctor to make sure he is ok. Once they are accustomed to his change however, it is clear it was only their selfishness that encouraged this barely compassionate response. This nervous behavior is fuelled by the single fact that Gregor is the sole provider of the family and without him their trouble-free days would be over. His desire for his parents to willingly care and encourage him becomes obvious when he tries to get out of his room. "But everyone should have cheered him on, his father and mother too. Go Gregor, they should have called, keep going at the lock, harder, harder!" Always remaining faithful, his craving for a little appreciation is long overdue. Once hope is lost of Gregor ever returning to his normal state again, the group gives up and resorts to ignoring him and displaying several acts of cruelty. "He was hardly inside his room when the door was hurriedly slammed shut, firmly bolted, and locked." Finally he is left to whither away into the nothing he was seen as to the rest of the world. With this sudden, twisted turn of events, the writer is able to grab the readers' attention by creating a completely unrealistic incident to highlight the brutality of Gregors family. The transformation in turn becomes more realistic than their reaction to it. The story serves as a metaphor of the growing number of families where obligation replaces what should be, love and appreciation.
what it is that's wrong, they rush to get a doctor to make sure he is ok. Once they are accustomed to his change however, it is clear it was only their selfishness that encouraged this barely compassionate response. This nervous behavior is fuelled by the single fact that Gregor is the sole provider of the family and without him their trouble-free days would be over. His desire for his parents to willingly care and encourage him becomes obvious when he tries to get out of his room. "But everyone should have cheered him on, his father and mother too. Go Gregor, they should have called, keep going at the lock, harder, harder!" Always remaining faithful, his craving for a little appreciation is long overdue. Once hope is lost of Gregor ever returning to his normal state again, the group gives up and resorts to ignoring him and displaying several acts of cruelty. "He was hardly inside his room when the door was hurriedly slammed shut, firmly bolted, and locked." Finally he is left to whither away into the nothing he was seen as to the rest of the world. With this sudden, twisted turn of events, the writer is able to grab the readers' attention by creating a completely unrealistic incident to highlight the brutality of Gregors family. The transformation in turn becomes more realistic than their reaction to it. The story serves as a metaphor of the growing number of families where obligation replaces what should be, love and appreciation.