In-depth Analysis of "The Metamorphosis": Symbolism and Themes

Franz Kafka in 'The Metamorphosis' with various symbols illustrates the transformation of a man turning into an insect named Gregor Samsa. The novel does not only show the transformation of Mr. Samsa, it also portrays the transformation of his family throughout the changing process happening to him. The author conveys hidden truth about himself and in the society in his works. What makes the book more artistic and much appealing to the reader is that the story was based on the life of the author. He use Gregor Samsa as a way to express himself and share a fragment of his life.

In the story the author shows us a direct visualization on how he see the appearance of the main character and the settings. This was very evident on how he describe the phase on how Gregor Samsa is turning from human into an insect. “Gregor’s glance then turned to the window. The dreary weather (the rain drops were falling audibly down on the metal window ledge) made him quite melancholy”. “He needed arms and hands to push himself upright. Instead of these, however, he had only many small limbs which were incessantly moving with very different motions and which, in addition, he was unable to control. If he wanted to bend one of them, then it was the first to extend itself, and if he finally succeeded doing with this limb what he wanted…”. Kafka’s inclusion of different symbolism throughout the story provides a clear view of how alienation and being alone really feels like.

Literary Analysis of 'The Metamorphosis': Symbols and Hidden Meanings

The author utilizes the emotional power of us readers to deeply understand the story of the metamorphosis happening to Gregor Samsa and his family. The story suggest that behind all the sacrfices and hardships to provide for your family may lead to isolation and dehumanization. “Then I’ll make the big break. In any case, right now I have to get up. My train leaves at five o’clock'. Despite something is not right on his body what is on the mind of the main character is to get to work and how he can provide to his family to cater their need. Just like on our society the breadwinner of the family has to provide and sacrifice himselfherself to in order to survive. In the story we can also see how isolation of Gregor affects the character of Grete and the Father. Since Gregor is isolated his father had been forced to go to work and to provide again for his family. “But now he was standing up really straight, dressed in a tight fitting blue uniform with gold buttons, like the ones servants wear in a banking company'. Grete on the other hand has also blossom into a fine young woman after Gregor’s death. Throughout the isolation Gregor his sister taker cares of him and feed him on the early part but when Gregor started to mess things up for his family his sister and father began to think that he is burden to them. “Things cannot go on any longer in this way. Maybe if you don’t understand that, well, I do. I will not utter my brother’s name in front of this monster, and thus I say only that we must try to get rid of it. We have tried what is humanly possible to take care of it and to be patient. I believe that no one can criticize us in the slightest'. She is right in a thousand ways', said the father to himself'

Hidden Gem About the Understanding of Lives and Our Humanity and the Society

Metamorphosis give us a realization that if one person suddenly change from what is normal, it can greatly affect his surroundings specially the family. The whole family was shock and has a hard type accepting the transformation of Gregor. Franz Kafka uses the plot of the story to share the stage of isolation and alienation. It was all started with a misunderstanding on what is happening, when one day Gregor Samsa wakes up transforming into an insect and his family cannot believe and shocked on what is happening to him and shuts him away from them. Kafka use an apple as a way of showing the denial of love towards Gregor. After knowing that Gregor is outside of his room and causes his mother to faint his father enraged and, “From the fruit bowl on the sideboard his father had filled his pockets, and now, without for the moment taking accurate aim, was throwing apple after apple'. Next stage would be acceptance the family started to slowly accept on what is happening and his Father decided to find a job and Grete and his Mother to cater the house and guard Gregor. As time goes by Gregor felt a sense of guilt since he is becoming more of a burden to the family and decided to die on the process of his realization “He remembered his family with deep feeling and love. In this business, his own thought that he had to disappear was, if possible, even more decisive than his sister’s. He remained in this state of empty and peaceful reflection until the tower clock struck three o’clock in the morning. From the window he witnessed the beginning of the general dawning outside. Then without willing it, his head sank all the way down, and from his nostrils flowed out weakly out his last breath'.

The story can definitely stand the test of time. Everyone can relate to the life of each member of the Samsa family especially to life of Gregor. His day-to-day problems he encounters are almost same with midlife crisis that some of us experiencing. The line wherein the story proves that Gregor is more frustrated with his job than he was as slowly becoming a bug with a giant shell and numerous legs “O God,’ he thought, ‘what a demanding job I’ve chosen! Day in, day out on the road. The stresses of trade are much greater than the work going on at head office, and, in addition to that, I have to deal with the problems of traveling, the worries about train connections, irregular bad food, temporary and constantly changing human relationships which never come from the heart. To hell with it all!”. Up to the present time, we are all going through a lot especially if we are in our 20’s and you are facing changes and transformation in life may it be physical, behavioral, and social. The story also depicts the life of a breadwinner in the family. Gregor is a good son who chose to help his family to pay their debt instead of choosing to settle down. Even before, the one who provides to the family has the biggest say and the one who is superior in the family. When Gregor used to be the one who sustain their needs, every member is concern about him like they even try to wake him up always and visit him in his room. But now that Gregor is incapable to do that and his father regained his confidence as the breadwinner and leader of the household “But now he was standing up really straight, dressed in a tight fitting blue uniform with gold buttons, like the ones servants wear in a banking company”. It really proves that Gregor has no use and worth in the family and just like in life, money has a biggest impact on how people treat you. Indeed, every generation would love to read this book even though it was published way back 1915.

Universality of the Book and Unique Style of Writing

The book that is open to anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, culture, etc. is the one that is definitely a masterpiece. The Metamorphosis clearly tells us that in life change is everywhere and is constant. Our family is the biggest influence in our lives. Their importance to us is immeasurable and therefore we will do everything just to suffice their needs. But in the story all Gregor wants is for his father to accept and appreciate him. His father gladly accepts the money and appears to appreciate it, but once Gregor is unable to support the family, he loses all appreciation for Gregor's efforts. Just like us the normal individual who wanted to feel that we are loved especially by our parents. As the story progresses, Gregor gradually becomes an insect-like. His appearance, his tastebud, his attitude have changed and he has this feeling of alienation. Grete, Gregor’s sister, who feed Gregor and clean up his mess on his room everyday transforms into a strong-minded woman. Her depleting affection towards Gregor affects how she thinks about the situation of their family. She eventually feed him less and stops cleaning his messy room. She is more concern about her family and how Gregor slowly becoming a threat in the family and it shows when she said “I won't pronounce the name of my brother in front of this monster, and so all I say is: we have to try to get rid of it. We've done everything humanly possible to take care of it and to put up with it as far as humanly possible'. This story is also about the family and our relationship with them. Everyone has gone some major problems in their life which involves their family.

Kafka uses radical, preposterous details with descriptive imagery and his choice of words are peculiar. These elements are the representation of “Kafkaesque” which means having a nightmarishly complex, bizarre, or illogical quality. His work might seem straightforward since the story started when Gregor woke up having uneasy dreams and it directly stated that he transformed into a monstrous verminous bug. But as the story goes, it slowly unfolds the real dilemma that Gregor is facing. While it is somewhat direct to the point, the author used words that is open for interpretation. Just like the part wherein the family is planning to get rid of Gregor since it affects them in every way. “I just can’t go on any more.’ And she broke out into such a crying fit that her tears flowed out down onto her mother’s face. She wiped them off her mother with mechanical motions of her hands”. His word choice implies that Grete has lost her affection and care towards her brother and she is decided to give up the hope that her brother will go back to normal. What also catches the interest of this story is how the life of Gregor Samsa ended. His family is like at ease after they immediately knew what happened to Gregor. ‘Well,’ said Mr. Samsa, ‘now we can give thanks to God'. He crossed himself, and the three women followed his example. Grete, who did not take her eyes off the corpse, said, Look how thin he was. He had eaten nothing for such a long time. The meals which came in here came out again exactly the same”. Overall, the author successfully conveyed the meaning of metamorphosis and peculiarly narrated the story.

Final Thoughts: Lessons to Take From the Story

The story has many lessons to tell us, readers. Our relationship with our family, having existential crisis, sacrificing for the people we love, and transformation within ourselves. Gregor was once the breadwinner of the family and even though the really wanted to quit his job but for the sake of his family he still pursue it. “If I didn’t hold back for my parents’ sake, I would’ve quit ages ago. I would’ve gone to the boss and told him just what I think from the bottom of my heart”. One of the notable part also of the story is that when the author highlighted Gregor’s feeling of alienation. It reveals that even before he became a bug, he feels like his purpose is just to provide and provide for his family without even considering his own decision in life. As we compare his life before and after his transformation, he was able to discern that he is just like in a box and his daily routine is as repitirious as it is when he became a bug inside his room. Mrs. Samsa and her sister Grete slowly losing interest to take care of him which led to Gregor depression. It is evident also in the story how Mrs. Samsa wants to protect Gregor in the beginning and this depicts the mother’s love to her child but due to her medical condition and her age she cannot handle the stress of their family. But just as like her daughter Grete and her husband, she feels like having a giant insect in their house is too much. Mrs. Samsa also portrays metamorphosis when at the end of the story, she accepts and is relieved when Gregor passes away. When Gregor is on the verge of death, he just accepts it and did not try to suppress his fate. It symbolizes the life of our Jesus Christ that in order for us to receive salvation, he sacrifice his life. Like how Gregor sacrifice his life for his family to get rid of an insect that caused harm to them.

References

• Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Malaspina University-College Nanaimo, 1999. pp. 3, 4, 5, 8, 50, 67-68, 51, 71
• “The Metamorphosis - Study Guide and Literary Analysis.” Literary Devices, 26 Feb. 2021, https:literarydevices.netthe-metamorphosis.
• About Emma BaldwinEmma graduated from East Carolina University with a BA in English, and About. “The Metamorphosis Historical Context.” Book Analysis, 10 May 2021, https:bookanalysis.comfranz-kafkathe-metamorphosishistorical-context.
• Stoops, Sydney (2017) 'Analysis of the Metamorphosis,' The Mall: Vol. 1 , Article 24. Retrieved from: https:digitalcommons.butler.eduthe-mallvol1iss124