Metamorphosis:
Title: Metamorphosis
Author: Franz Kafka
Literary level: Intermediate
Rating: ?/5
Published in 1915, this novella, written by literary
juggernaut, Franz Kafka, posits a very interesting story of sadness and
abandonment. It starts with the sudden and supernatural transformation of a
traveling salesman named Gregor Samsa, who lives with his elderly parents, and
his little sister, Grete. He transformed into a non-descriptive, human-sized
insect, creating some conflict within him of why, how, and many more questions
that fester his mind. The clock signaled he was already late to take the train
for work and knew his employer would be on his way to corroborate any
justification to fire him on the spot. With everyone worried as to why he has
not left for work, they all wait hesitantly, thinking he may be sick, later
finding a hideous monster-sized insect instead of Gregor. The story devolves
into the depressing care of a disgusting creature, to climax in a more somber
and darker ending. Spoiler: He dies of malnutrition and improper care,
the family celebrates, but not without shedding some tears, by traveling and
looking for a smaller home and accept that Grete is of age to find a man to
marry.
Review: Metamorphosis is the most conflicting
story I have read, as of lately. The narrative it portrays is that of a
depressing life that is only escaped when leaving everything behind, even the
most memorable and painful. Czech literature is no stranger to the dark depths
of the human psyche, callously presenting emotions we wish to evade. The
decaying desire to help turned to hopelessness. The unusual changes characters
have towards the main protagonist, antagonizing him when he could not defend
himself. It was never chaotic, but how unpredictable the turn of feelings do give a sense of dread and despair. It makes you, the reader, question, not if
it were wrong but, if you would have felt the same way in their position. The
impression that it might get better, yet it doesn’t, a deep pit of sadness
welling up until the last words, lasting for eternity. I have no rating for
this one, given the conflicting nature of the story in general. To some degree,
I can see why it is one of the top-most read stories in literature, however, not
for the reason most would think. All in all, the surrealist aspect of Kafka’s
writing is something everyone should experience by themselves, at least once.
ISBN: 978-607-07-4225-5