Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Metamorphosis is an illustrious short story, which manifests Kafka’s complex character, his beliefs, and real-life dilemmas. It highlights the existentialist credo by elucidating the quandaries faced by an individual in the face of absurdity. Kafka critiques the impersonal and materialistic society around us, which mitigates individualism, restricts freedom, and engenders alienation. A whirlwind of redundancy and absurdity pose Gregor with an identity crisis. Initially, his individuality is tethered by social obligations where as in due course, he is socially marginalized by virtue of his outrageous appearance. Either way, he is isolated. By means of this clock, my oral presentation aims to chart Gregor’s progress through life, which essentially follows a circular trajectory. I will begin by explaining some of the key ways in which Kafka portrays non-fictitious concepts with stark clarity…

Kafka vividly manifests abstract canons using an array of literary devices. The lack of causality is conspicuous, which symbolizes the superfluity of existence. Furthermore, Kafka employs a medley of extended metaphors to assist him with conceptualization; Gregor’s diminutive human room delineates the extent of his freedom, food represents familial relationships and hunger the thirst for social connections. Color imagery is adopted to symbolize the depth of Gregor Samsa’s state of cognizance, while kinesthetic imagery is used as a touchstone to measure the degree of Gregor’s freedom. Owing to his submissiveness, Gregor’s life follows a circular trajectory, which in technical jargon is forced individualism. Also circular motion lacks a decisive direction, which suggests that Samsa is unable to achieve self-actualization. Hence to represent such characteristics, the diction employed connotes redundancy and compliancy. Other than Kafka’s nonchalant tone, the text’s innate irony is rather gripping; even though Samsa surpasses a monumental metamorphosis, in actuality, his life

References: to his escalating physical control indicate the growing latitude proffered to him; he may engage himself in free fall, however such liberty, is short-lived as will be seen later. In figurative terms, the clearing out of Gregor’s room symbolizes the remnants of his human existence being jettisoned.“ Was it really his wish to have his cosy room, comfortably furnished with old heirlooms, transformed into a sort of cave, merely so that he would be able to crawl around in it freely, without hindrance in any direction- even at the expense of rapidly and utterly forgetting his human past? “ The truth in the matter is that it didn’t make much of a difference– currently his locomotive powers are restricted where previously he was metaphysically incarcerated. Perhaps what’s even more perturbing is Gregor’s sudden change in personality; adjectives such as “vindictive”, and “aggressive” and verbs such as “erupted forth” display this newfound truculence. In the end, however, this change bore no fruit. When Gregor’s father assaults him for the second time, Kafka paints a vivid description of the thespian scene, which crudely represents the way Gregor Samsa’s life follows a circular trajectory; “In this way they circled the room several times, without anything decisive taking place,” and “there was no sense in keeping moving.” EXPLAIN. Eventually, he was “nailed to the spot, in complete disorientation.” Back to square one, disoriented- helpless + immobile – after each assault, more clarity + resolve. 2 months later, the status of Gregor is such that he has become an “old invalid” who is merely being tolerated, and whose freedom is still restricted – the only difference, is however, in his now complete realization and change in temperament. “Despite his current and loathsome form, Gregor remained a member of the family, and must not be treated like an enemy, but as someone whom – all revulsion to the contrary- family duty compelled one to choke down, and who must be tolerated, simply tolerated.” The familial necessity to treat Gregor with civility is merely because Gregor is still a member of the family. However, he was already being treated as a foe (use of sarcasm), treated with utmost revulsion. The words “choke down” connote unnatural repression where as the repetition of the world “tolerated” reaffirm the bigotry towards Samsa. “Lying in the darkened room, invisible from the living room” – he was virtually non-existent to his family. The open door was a titillation, a mirage as his freedom was still limited. The words “poky hotel room” bear a tone of insouciance – Gregor no longer possess a sense of belonging to this disappearing household – isolated in the confinements of a hotel room. “The household seemed to shrink” – warmth + togetherness was being eroded. Epiphany – “Who in this exhausted and overworked family had the time to pay any more attention to Gregor than was absolutely necessary?” The color white has been mentioned for the first time – self-awareness is complete. Change in disposition: “And then he wasn’t in the mood to worry about family, but instead was filled with rage at how they neglected him…” + no longer wanted food. His reality being stated more explicitly – no longer felt that desire for compassion when he new it didn’t exist and was filled with disgruntlement. Where previously Gregor’s room was being emptied out, now it was being cluttered up not with furnishings, but with rubbish (neglected – filth). His room was now effectively tantamount to a dust-bin- his worth was reduced to that of dirt. “The way those tenants fill their boots, while I’m left to starve!” Post Christmas, Gregor is objectified – he comes an “it”. “I don’t want to speak the name of my brother within hearing of that monster, and so I will merely say: we have to get rid of it. We did as much as humanly possible to try and look after it and tolerate it. “ “Permanent torture at home.” Instead of his sister – the sister - Immobile – legs become frail again – emotional stress – humanity – for family – back to square one - Significance of shift in seasons. To conclude, Gregor’s life returns to status quo; even though he experiences positive changes in his disposition, and is now aware of his dismal condition, he still resides in an abyss of alienation. Previously, Samsa was alienated metaphysically, however towards the end, he is physically marginalized. Kafka’s literary flair adds multiple levels of meaning to a story, which uses fairly simple language. The reader is able to effectively understand the gravity of Gregor’s situation; ultimately he is neglected, negated, and isolated just as he had been before.