Theme Of Transformation In Kafka's Metamorphosis

Kafka uses Gregory, Grete, and their parents to show varying degrees of transformation. We see several occurrences of transformation in today’s society through nature, people, and money.

The most prominent occasion of transformation that we see in The Metamorphosis is Gregory’s change from a regular young boy to a creepy creature. He wakes up realizing that he is a new species, and has to adjust to his new life. Gregory’s transformation also causes for a new training of how to maneuver on a daily basis. He is not use to moving with little legs, and a hard shell on his back, so he can’t function and provide like he’s use to doing. His new appearance affects the people around him, and they view him as unattractive. The most common transformation we hear about in today’s time is in nature. The metamorphosis of a small caterpillar to a mature butterfly is relatable to Gregory. The only differences are the butterfly turns into something pretty, rather than an ugly creature, like Gregory.
Butterflies are known as flourishing into an insect that symbolizes magical beauty. However, the butterflies and Gregory both must become accustomed to their new body and their surroundings. They also no longer can utilize their past functions as they could before. Another apparent form of transformation that we see in The Metamorphosis is Grete Samsa’s growth into a beautiful young woman. As the text explains “she bloomed into an attractive and well-built girl, who stretched her nubile young body”. As Grete is getting older and her body features evolve, her brother hints incestuous fantasies that please him. Grete’s transformation affects not only herself, but her family members also, who have to get use to her blossoming of her new body. They’re so use to viewing her as the baby of the family, especially physically. Like majority women in the world, it comes a time in their life where they transfigure mentally, emotionally, and physically. Their mindsets mature, and the obvious features of their body enhance. Just like Grete, the average woman’s figure develops and it becomes very evident to those around her as well. This transformation is an indication of the beginning of their entrance into womanhood.

An additional example that Kafka uses to show transformation is the family’s change from stability to a depriving financial state.
After Gregory loses his job, the family loses their steady income. They became so dependent on receiving monetary benefits from Gregory that they were confused on how to make ends meet. It comes to a point where the Samsa’s have to sell jewelry, so that they can provide for themselves. As someone who has had to work as a young male to provide for my family, even to the extent of selling personal valuables, I understand the impact that this transformation has on the family. It forces them to sometimes go to extreme measures just to survive. This transformation is also similar to a text that we’ve read in this course, The Death of Ivan Ilych. Tolstoy describes how Ivan’s death left his family in a sense of uncertainty because of the absence of a guaranteed income. They too, no longer had a prime breadwinner who could continue to support the
family.