Summary
Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, first published in 1915, stands as one of the most influential and enigmatic works of 20th-century literature. This novella, which tells the story of Gregor Samsa's inexplicable transformation into a giant insect, draws readers in with its surreal premise and offers a profound exploration of alienation, guilt, and family dynamics. The Metamorphosis remains a staple of literary study and discussion. Its influence can be seen in the works of numerous authors, from Albert Camus to Haruki Murakami, cementing its place as a cornerstone of modernist literature.
Plot
In The Metamorphosis, the protagonist Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect-like creature. Initially, Gregor struggles to come to terms with his new physical form, worrying about how he will get to work and support his family. When his office manager arrives to check on him, Gregor's attempts to communicate are met with horror and disgust.
As Gregor's family grapples with his transformation, they begin to neglect him. His sister Grete initially cares for him, bringing him food and cleaning his room. However, she gradually grows resentful of this responsibility. Gregor's parents, unable to cope with his new form, keep him isolated in his bedroom. The family's financial situation deteriorates without Gregor's income, forcing them all to find work.
Gregor's condition worsens over time. He loses his appetite and becomes injured when his father pelts him with apples. The family starts using his room for storage and rents out a portion of their apartment to lodgers. One evening, drawn by Grete's violin playing, Gregor ventures out of his room and is seen by the lodgers, who promptly give notice to leave. This incident leads Grete to declare that they must get rid of Gregor.
Realizing he has become a burden to his family, Gregor retreats to his room where he dies before dawn. The charwoman discovers his body and disposes of it. The story concludes with Gregor's family feeling a sense of relief and newfound optimism. They take a tram ride into the countryside, during which Gregor's parents notice how Grete has blossomed into a young woman, and they begin to consider finding her a husband.
Themes
Alienation and isolation
Family dynamics and obligation
Identity and self-perception
Transformation and change
Absurdity and existentialism
Burden of work and capitalism
Human nature and empathy
Setting
Set in the early 20th century, The Metamorphosis takes place primarily within the confines of the Samsa family's apartment in an unnamed city. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a rapidly modernizing Europe, where traditional family structures and social norms are being challenged by industrialization and urbanization.
The cramped, middle-class apartment serves as a microcosm of the larger societal pressures facing the Samsa family. Gregor's tiny bedroom becomes the central stage for much of the narrative, symbolizing his increasing isolation and confinement. The living room and kitchen also feature prominently as spaces where family dynamics play out in the wake of Gregor's transformation.
While the specific city is never named, Kafka's own experiences in early 20th-century Prague likely informed the urban setting. The story's focus on a traveling salesman and his family's financial struggles reflects the economic realities of the time, as well as the changing nature of work and family roles in an increasingly industrialized society.
Characters
Gregor Samsa: The protagonist, who wakes up one morning transformed into a giant insect. Gregor is a traveling salesman who supports his family financially. Despite his shocking transformation, he initially tries to continue his normal routine and worries about missing work. As the story progresses, Gregor becomes increasingly isolated and alienated from his family. His struggle to adapt to his new form and maintain his humanity forms the core of the narrative.
Grete Samsa: Gregor's younger sister, who initially takes on the role of his caretaker after his transformation. Grete starts out sympathetic to Gregor's plight, bringing him food and cleaning his room. As time passes, however, she grows increasingly resentful of the burden Gregor places on the family. Grete ultimately suggests getting rid of Gregor, marking her own transformation from caring sister to pragmatic adult.
Mr. Samsa: Gregor's father, who is forced to return to work after Gregor's transformation leaves the family without income. He is often harsh and unsympathetic towards Gregor, at one point violently attacking him with apples. Mr. Samsa's relationship with Gregor reflects Kafka's own strained relationship with his father.
Mrs. Samsa: Gregor's mother, who struggles to reconcile her maternal instincts with her revulsion at Gregor's new form. She suffers from asthma and often finds herself caught between her husband's anger and her son's predicament.
The Charwoman: An old widow hired by the Samsa family to help with household duties after Gregor's transformation. She is notably unafraid of Gregor and matter-of-factly deals with his insect form. The charwoman is the one who discovers Gregor's body after he dies.
The Chief Clerk: Gregor's boss, who visits the Samsa household when Gregor fails to show up for work. His brief appearance highlights the absurdity of Gregor's situation and the story's surreal tone.
Quick facts
Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis in just three weeks in 1912, but it wasn't published until 1915.
The original German title is “Die Verwandlung,” which more accurately translates to “The Transformation."
Kafka never specified what kind of insect Gregor Samsa transforms into, leading to much debate among scholars.
Vladimir Nabokov, who taught the story to his students, believed Gregor had turned into a beetle with wings.
The novella was initially rejected by Kafka’s publisher, who later changed his mind.
Kafka instructed that no illustration of the insect should appear on the book cover.
The story has been adapted into various media, including films, operas, and even a graphic novel.
While not a direct adaptation, David Cronenberg's 1986 film The Fly draws clear inspiration from Kafka's work in its portrayal of a man's gradual transformation into an insect-like creature.
The name “Samsa” is thought to be a cryptogram of “Kafka,” with the letters moved one step forward alphabetically.
The Metamorphosis has been translated into English more than 20 times since its first translation in 1933.
Kafka reportedly burst out laughing when he first read the story to his friends.
About the Author
Franz Kafka (1883-1924) is widely recognized as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. His writing explores themes of alienation, existential anxiety, and the struggle of individuals against bureaucratic systems. His best known works include the novella The Metamorphosis, the novels The Trial and The Castle, as well as short stories like “In the Penal Colony.” The term “Kafkaesque” has entered the English language to describe absurd, surreal situations reminiscent of Kafka's fiction.
Born into a German-speaking Jewish family, Kafka spent most of his life in his native Prague, working as an insurance officer while pursuing writing in his spare time. Kafka's Jewish heritage and his complex relationship with his domineering father had a significant influence on his writing. He was also affected by the political and social upheavals of his time, including World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Kafka published only a few short stories during his lifetime and died from tuberculosis at the age of 40, leaving behind several unfinished novels. His work gained popularity and critical acclaim after his death, largely due to the efforts of his friend Max Brod, who ignored Kafka's wishes to have his unpublished manuscripts destroyed. Brod instead worked to publish Kafka's writings posthumously, securing his legacy. Today, Kafka is widely studied and his works continue to resonate with readers for their prescient explorations of modern alienation and the absurdities of bureaucratic power.
