The Meaning Of Life In Kafka's The Metamorphosis
Seung Woo Lee
Ms.Aubrey
World Literature
September 11, 2014
World Literature Paper
To many, the meaning of of life is a constant cycle of searching and failing. Many have attempted to ascertain the true value and meaning of life. People repeatedly question the purpose of life. However, people have failed to find the ultimate solution in a constant cycle. On the other hand, some people find life meaningless. These people do not seek any element in life, nor do they search for the true meaning of life. . Kafka, the author of the story “The Metamorphosis”, illustrates the concept of meaningless of life through the usage of the character Gregor Samsa, who faces a crisis where he is transformed into a bug-life figure and gradually doubts his own existence.
In fact, Kafta mentions Gregor’s transformation in the first sentence of the story. “One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin”. Kafta does not specifically mention how or why Gregor transformed into a monster like figure, but implicitly indicates that Gregor’s absurd life is imminent. Moreover, the transformation of Gregor illustrates the absurdity of himself as a human being. The existence of Gregor as a monster-like creature brings extreme disruption to the household, in which Gregor’s parents begin to work due to the lack of income. Kafka particularly used the disgusting image of a bug in order to convey the disgust and disdain of a
Gregor's Transformation Rhetorical Analysis
233 Words | 1 PagesGregor’s initial reaction to his transformation shows his preoccupation with work. His confusion over his radical transformation does not last long, quickly becoming concerned with work and disregarding that he woke up physically transformed into a monstrous vermin. Immediately after realizing he had transformed, Gregor explains, “Well, I haven’t given up hope completely; once I’ve gotten the money together to pay off my parents’ debt to [the boss] that will probably take another five to six years… But for the time being I’d better get up, since my train leaves at five” (4). The quick transition of Gregor’s thoughts from the initial shock to his economic duties reveals his ironic nonchalant attitude towards his nonsensical transformation and
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775 Words | 4 PagesWithin Franz Kafka’s novel The Metamorphosis, a subsequent meaning for the unusual predicament of Gregor Samsa is considerably enhanced throughout the frequent use of allusions and symbolism. Throughout Kafka’s work, he seems to attribute each realistic physicality with some unrealistic spiritual relevance; thus, “Gregor’s physical transformation, then, stands for a spiritual transformation” (Holland). Kafka illuminates this idea as Samsa first remains rational in his thoughts and his desires despite his physical appearance, but later turns much more aggressive in his thoughts and actions, revealing more of that of an animal rather than a human. In some way, Samsa’s spiritual transformation is even more horrific than his physical transformation
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336 Words | 2 PagesBased on careful reading of both works, Kuper 's graphic novel mirrors the Kafkaesque feeling of The Metamorphosis. The literary term "Kafkaesque" describes a distorted and oppressive sense of reality. In The Metamorphosis Graphic Novel, the author Peter Kuper illustrates a very distorted sense of reality. In contrast from Kafka 's written novel, Kuper 's graphic novel visually shows Gregor 's transformation into a vermin. By depicting his transformation to an insect, this creates a more nightmarish quality that the term Kafkaesque often includes.
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769 Words | 4 PagesAs the main character, Gregor Samsa, transforms from human state to that of a beetle, there are many aspects that are left unexplained and seemingly unstable. For example, in the novel, Gregor’s transformation into a beetle is left unexplained by Kafka. Kafka opens up the novel by stating, “When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin” (Kafka 1). There is no scientific or physical evidence as to why this transformation occurred, but it can be ascertained that it is a psychological transformation.
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947 Words | 4 PagesThe short story, The Metamorphosis, written by Franz Kafka, shows a negative change that has taken place in the main characters life. When he is transformed into a vermin overnight, it is clear he is not excited or happy. Gregor says, “What’s happened to me, it wasn’t a dream?” It’s evident he doesn’t want to believe he’s been turned into a bug and wishes that it had only been a dream instead of reality.
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1259 Words | 6 PagesPublished in 1915, Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is a tale of a salesman named Gregor Samsa who one day wakes up to discover that he has quite literally transformed into an insect. Unable to support his family as an insect, he is only able to stay in his room and eat the rotting scraps of food that his sister brings him. Over time, Gregor’s transformation into a large bug begins to affect the lifestyle of his family, and they slowly become resentful of him. His family secretly wishes Gregor would leave, and knowing this, Gregor willfully dies in his room.
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