Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis Throughout the ages pieces of literature have been introduced to the world with titles that are not by chance. The authors behind them have carefully selected titles to symbolize their works and to provide a hint at what’s to come. They also play a part in catching the reader’s eye and pulling them into the story. Franz Kafka is no different than other authors in the respect that he titles his pieces with meaning. Take ‘Metamorphosis’ for example Franz Kafka’s decision to use this title is significant because the whole story examines transformations of two forms, physical changes and relationship transformations. This essay will dive into what metamorphosis is, Gregor’s transformation, Grete’s transformation from …show more content…
If the dictionary Merriam-Webster is searched there will be a couple definitions found. The first being change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means. Secondly metamorphosis is known to mean a striking alteration in character, or circumstances. Diving into the second definition a bit more, character is the mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person. This means that metamorphosis can stand for a change in the physical form, a change in the mental structure or it can mean both. Knowing this the essay goes forward to explain the changes the characters go through during the story and it explains just why those changes are so significant to Kafka’s chosen …show more content…
The last reason Kafka’s title is significant is because of the relationship changes within the story. Gregor was the main breadwinner of the family before of his change to a different body form. He supported the whole family and in response they cared for him but his transformation of his body creates a relational transformation with his family. After his change into a bug the family all react differently and their relationships with Gregor dissolve at different paces. His relationship with his father changed the fastest. When his father realized what had become of his son he only wanted to conceal the problem within its own room and only saw Gregor as a problem after that, “His father looked hostile, and clenched his fists as if wanting to knock Gregor back into his room. Then he looked uncertainly round the living room, covered his eyes with his hands and wept so that his powerful chest shook” (pg 6). His father could not believe that his son had changed so significantly within one night and was repulsed from what had happened. He doesn’t try to comfort his son even though Gregor was the one that had always taken care of him and the family. After the transformation this didn’t mean anything anymore and he cut off contact with his son. Next his relationship with his mother came to an end.