Franz Kafka Metamorphosis Research Paper
Franz Kafka’s talent for existentialist writing can be captured in his story The Metamorphosis. The main character’s physical metamorphosis and ensuing social transformation represents many important facets of existentialist ideology. His character, Gregor, has built his life experience through choices; Gregor is thrust into an absurd situation, representing the absurdity of the world; and (add another theme). The Metamorphosis is a prime example of existentialist philosophy.
Gregor’s choices controlled his destiny throughout the book. One example is when he created his initial situation by deciding to be the main (and only) caretaker of the family, even though the rest of the family was perfectly capable. He took on all that responsibility and it drove him to an unhealthy mental state, as he described his job the morning after his metamorphosis, “Travelling day in and day out. ... there's the curse of traveling, worries about making train connections…” and he goes on. Gregor has just changed into a huge bug, and his only reaction is to think about how stressful his job …show more content…
The book represents many more ideas than stated here, covering all the main points of existentialist philosophy. Kafka uses Gregor and his experiences to exemplify these points. One is the nature of life which causes suffering in those experiencing it if they chose not to seek meaning as Gregor has. Another, the power of choice and how individuals control their lives and experiences completely. Lastly, the absurdity of the world itself and as seen by a specific person experiencing the existential world - not only does Kafka’s book exemplify this, but the entire branch of literature named after him (Kafka-esque literature) in which authors write about a nightmarish and unreal world. Kafka has given much to existentialist literature, and The Metamorphosis may have been his greatest work in this
Gregor’s choices controlled his destiny throughout the book. One example is when he created his initial situation by deciding to be the main (and only) caretaker of the family, even though the rest of the family was perfectly capable. He took on all that responsibility and it drove him to an unhealthy mental state, as he described his job the morning after his metamorphosis, “Travelling day in and day out. ... there's the curse of traveling, worries about making train connections…” and he goes on. Gregor has just changed into a huge bug, and his only reaction is to think about how stressful his job …show more content…
The book represents many more ideas than stated here, covering all the main points of existentialist philosophy. Kafka uses Gregor and his experiences to exemplify these points. One is the nature of life which causes suffering in those experiencing it if they chose not to seek meaning as Gregor has. Another, the power of choice and how individuals control their lives and experiences completely. Lastly, the absurdity of the world itself and as seen by a specific person experiencing the existential world - not only does Kafka’s book exemplify this, but the entire branch of literature named after him (Kafka-esque literature) in which authors write about a nightmarish and unreal world. Kafka has given much to existentialist literature, and The Metamorphosis may have been his greatest work in this