The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka is a novella that opens with the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, waking up to discover he has transformed into a gigantic insect. This startling change profoundly affects not only Gregor's life but also his family's dynamics and economic situation. Initially, Gregor attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy, worrying about his job and his family's financial support. However, as he struggles with his new form and the consequences it brings, his family's initial shock gradually turns into neglect and estrangement.
Throughout the story, Gregor's isolation deepens as his family grapples with the practical implications of his transformation. The once warm bonds between them fray, revealing how quickly love can turn to repulsion in the face of crisis. As the narrative unfolds, Gregor's existence becomes increasingly painful, ultimately leading him to a state of despair. His death is met with indifference by his family, who quickly shift their focus to rebuilding their lives without him. Kafka's work explores themes of alienation, identity, and the fragility of familial ties, resonating with readers who reflect on the human condition and societal expectations.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
First published:Die Verwandlung, 1915 (English translation, 1936)
Type of work: Novella
Type of plot: Allegory
Time of plot: Early twentieth century
Locale: Prague
Principal Characters
Gregor Samsa , a man who wakes up as a giant insectGrete Samsa , his sisterMr. Samsa , his fatherMrs. Samsa , his motherThe Chief Clerk , his boss
The Story
Gregor Samsa wakes one morning from uneasy dreams to find that he has been transformed during the night into a gigantic insect. At first, he tries to remain calm and go back to sleep. His transformed body, however, prevents him from getting comfortable. Regardless of the changes in him, Gregor’s thoughts turn to the job he hates, and, as he looks at the clock, he fears being late at the office. Through the locked door to his room, his mother reminds him of the time, and he notices the change in his voice when he replies. His response alerts the rest of his family that he is still at home, which is unexpected at this time of day.
Still attempting to maintain some semblance of normality, Gregor tries to get out of bed, but it requires an unusual effort, rocking back and forth, before he finally falls out of bed onto the floor. When the chief clerk from his office arrives to check on Gregor’s whereabouts, he doubles his efforts to return to normal. Gregor’s father calls to him to allow the clerk to enter his room, but Gregor refuses because he is afraid that his job will be jeopardized if the chief clerk discovers his transformation. He is convinced that he can explain his rudeness later, after he has recovered. The clerk threatens him, and Gregor hears the clerk comment about how inhuman his voice sounds. Gregor finally wedges himself against the door and opens the lock with his jaws, but, as he appears in the doorway, his altered appearance frightens the clerk, who flees the apartment. Gregor’s family stares at him, amazed at the metamorphosis he has undergone. Finally, his father forces him back into his room and shuts the door.
The next morning, Gregor’s sister leaves him food on the floor of his room, but Gregor remains hidden underneath the sofa while she is in the room, lest he should frighten her. For the next two days, he overhears his family discussing what they should do about him and the changes they will have to make in their lives, since he has supplied their only source of income. Gregor worries about his family and mulls over the guilt he feels for losing his job and his place as breadwinner of the household. Night after night, he huddles in the dark and thinks about his predicament.
For the first fortnight, Gregor’s parents cannot bear to enter his room, but Grete removes his furniture piece by piece, claiming that he will be more comfortable if he can move around unencumbered by things that are no longer useful to him. His mother argues with her about leaving the room alone, hoping that he will recover from his illness, but his father has lost hope and insists that he will never recover.
One day, Gregor’s mother enters his room and sees him clinging to the wall by the sticky feet of his many legs. The shock at seeing him behaving like an insect shatters her attachment to him and destroys forever any hope she has for his eventual recovery. Despite his changed appearance, Gregor remains lonely for the company of his family and, one night, in a desperate attempt to join his family, ventures out of his room once more. However, his father, angry at Gregor’s intrusion into the family’s quarters, yells at him and pelts him with apples, wounding him in the back before forcing Gregor to return to the solitude of his room.
Gregor’s movements are hindered by his injury. He observes, through his door, which is inexplicably left open every evening, the changes his family experiences during his absence. Even though his father has returned to work and they had to dismiss the maid, his parents are strained economically, physically exhausted, and increasingly despondent. They largely neglect Gregor and leave him alone in his room. He seldom sleeps and is increasingly haunted by the thought that he will one day recover and once again provide for his family.
To increase their income, the family takes in three lodgers, and one evening they request that Grete play her violin. Attracted by the music, which reminds him of the way his life used to be, Gregor leaves his room once again, seeking the warmth and companionship of the others. The lodgers, who do not know of his existence, are outraged by his appearance and threaten to leave. For the first time, Gregor hears Grete demand that something be done about him. She calls him a creature and denies that he is still her brother. In his weakened condition, it is difficult for him to return for the final time to his room. Once back inside, though, Gregor realizes that he, too, feels the same despair his sister does and longs for death. During the night, he loses consciousness. The next morning, the charwoman finds the husk of Gregor’s dead body in the room and sweeps him up with the trash.
Gregor’s family seems little surprised by his death. They all leave the apartment the same day for the first time in months, going into the country to discuss their prospects for the future. They decide to move to a smaller and more convenient apartment. Observing the vivacious change in their daughter, brought about by Gregor’s death, her parents realize that it is time to find her a husband.
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