The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis is a Magical Realist piece of literature as it takes an essentially myth like scenario and examines how it plays out in a grounded, realistic world. The major event of Gregor’s transformation is not played out in a fantastical way, and as an effect the underlying themes are portrayed in a realistic way that fits the setting. The part of the piece that best fits the element of a realistic surface to this Magical Realist tale is the effect on Gregor’s family, more specifically his sister Grete. Gregor’s transformation completely transforms Grete as a person and as the effects of the change continue to adversely affect the family Grete’s reaction as a result continues to change. A massive change like this would greatly affect
After the transformation Grete is the only one who seems to have the decency to even feed Gregor, “And out of a sense of delicacy, since she knew that Gregor would not eat in front of her, she left hurriedly and even turned the key, just so that Gregor should know that he might make himself as comfortable as he wanted” (26). Throughout the novel the family’s situation grows worse and they are heavily burdened by Gregor, Grete accepts the more realistic view of putting her own needs above that of Gregor’s, she cannot move forward if she continues to focus her life on helping Gregor, “It has to go, that’s the only answer” (57). She undergoes a realistic transformation as she grows more burdened by Gregor, while the fact lingers that her brother is still a bug. She grows through the struggles bought along by Gregor and becomes a full grown woman by the end as she accepts that the best way to move forward is Gregor’s death. Magical Realism’s essential elements include conventionally realistic themes in a story that combines fairy tales with the everyday, and the theme of growth through struggle is seen in The Metamorphosis through Grete’s changes which occur after the titular, fairy tale like