The Metamorphosis tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a young man who wakes up one day to find he has transformed into a beetle-like creature. This event throws his life into complete chaos as he struggles to adapt to his new body and support his family financially. Throughout the story, Kafka explores the themes of family, money, responsibility, and gender.
Gregor's love for his family is evident from the beginning of the story when he wakes up late for work because he was worried about disturbing them. His first thought upon waking up as a beetle is not of himself, but of how this will affect his ability to provide for his family. He continues to think of them throughout the story and puts their needs above his own. Even at the end of the story, when he is dying, his thoughts are with his family and how they will cope without him.
Gregor's job as a traveling salesman was the only thing keeping his family afloat before he transformed into a beetle. Losing his job meant that they would no longer have any income, which placed a great deal of stress on him. He becomes even more obsessed with money once he transforms and is unable to work. Gregor takes great pride in supporting his family and feels a great sense of responsibility towards them. He views himself as their protector and provider and feels that it is his duty to make sure that they are taken care of. This sense of responsibility intensifies after he transforms into a beetle and can no longer work. He becomes even more obsessed with finding a way to support them financially and takes on jobs that are beneath him just so he can provide for them.
Before Gregor transforms into a beetle, Grete is cast in the traditional role of daughter and sister who is subordinate to her brother and the male head of household. However, after Gregor's transformation, she begins to take on more responsibility within the household and eventually becomes the breadwinner while her brother languishes in his room as an invalid. This reversal of roles challenges traditional gender norms and highlights Grete's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis explores some of the most universal human themes in a way that is both relatable and insightful. While the story itself is clearly fiction, the issues it tackles are all too real for many people living in today's world. Kafka still harkens to hope among all the darkness; and at its core, The Metamorphosis is ultimately a story about human resilience in spite of adversity which is something we can all aspire towards in our own lives.
