Book Review: "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka


Hello everyone!

On the 100th death anniversary of Franz Kafka, our English department organized a special assembly dedicated to his memory. During this event, some of my classmates presented on Kafka's renowned works. I was particularly struck by the story of his famous novella "The Metamorphosis." It resonated with my favorite genre so deeply that I decided to read it immediately. To my own surprise, I finished the book in one day, captivated from start to finish without a hint of boredom. Through this blog, I will share the personal reflections and experiences I've gathered during my journey with this book.




The novel begins with a seemingly ordinary morning in the life of Gregor Samsa. However, his world is turned upside down when he discovers that he has been transformed into a monstrous insect. The initial shock and bewilderment soon give way to a profound sense of despair as Gregor realizes the full implications of his condition. Trapped within his own body, he is unable to communicate or interact with the world around him. The realization that he is now a monstrous creature, a mere object of disgust and pity, fills him with a deep sense of hopelessness and alienation.

There are four aspects to the story; the transformation (dehumanization) of Gregor into an insect, the reaction of other central characters (father, mother, sister who are dependent on him) to this transformation, the gradual alienation of Gregor by his loved ones, finally Gregor’s lonely death and how things quickly get back to normal for his folks. What is fascinating, is that, despite the physical transformation there is very little transformation in Gregor’s character. He patiently accepts the hardships and surrenders to authority.

Imagine waking up one morning and finding yourself turned into a giant bug! That's what happened to Gregor Samsa in the story "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka.


Now, you might think this is where Gregor goes on some wild adventure as a bug-man. But nope! Most of the story is about how Gregor and his family deal with this crazy situation. And let me tell you, it's not pretty.

Gregor's family is shocked, of course. His mom faints, his dad gets angry, and his sister Grete is the only one who tries to help him at first. They keep Gregor locked in his room, and Grete brings him food (rotten stuff, because that's what he likes now - gross!). But as time goes on, things get worse and worse.

Upon first glance, I find myself admiring a sibling duo. My heart melts when I see a sister, a girl with a soft heart who fears little things, stand by her brother's side in his time of need.



As the novella progresses, Gregor becomes increasingly isolated from his family. At first, they are shocked but still try to help him. However, as days turn into weeks, they begin to treat him as more of a burden. His family locks him in his room, rarely feeding or interacting with him, and his presence becomes an embarrassment. Even his sister, Grete, who initially tries to care for him, slowly loses sympathy. Gregor's existence deteriorates both physically and emotionally, leading to a tragic end.

The saddest part is how Gregor feels about all this. He can still think like a human, but he can't talk or do normal things anymore. He feels bad for causing trouble for his family, but he can't do anything about it. It's like he's trapped in this bug body, watching his life and relationships fall apart.

As the story goes on, Gregor's family starts treating him worse and worse. They stop cleaning his room, they use it for storage, and they hardly even check on him anymore. It's really sad to see how they slowly stop thinking of him as Gregor and start seeing him as just a gross bug.

The ending is pretty depressing (spoiler alert!). Gregor eventually dies, all alone in his dirty room. And you know what? His family seems relieved. They're sad for a bit, but then they start making plans for the future, like Gregor was just a problem they had to deal with. It's pretty harsh.

The story of "The Metamorphosis" is about the feeling of being different and alone. It's also about the strange things that can happen in life. Sometimes, things don't go the way we plan, and we have to deal with the unexpected.

One of the most interesting things about the story is the way Kafka uses Gregor's transformation as a metaphor for the feeling of being trapped. Gregor is physically trapped in his insect body, but he is also emotionally trapped in his old life. He wants to be a human again, but he can't. This feeling of being trapped is something that many people can relate to.

Another interesting aspect of the story is the way Kafka explores the relationship between Gregor and his family. At first, Gregor's family is horrified by his transformation. They are repulsed by his appearance, and they are afraid of what he might do. However, as time goes on, they start to accept him. They realize that Gregor is still the same person inside, even though his body has changed.

Gregor's family's acceptance of him is a testament to the power of love and compassion. It shows that even in the most difficult of circumstances, people can find a way to connect with each other. It also highlights the importance of empathy and understanding.

The relationship between Gregor and his family is a microcosm of the human experience. It is a story of loss, grief, and acceptance. It is a story of hope and resilience. And it is a story of the enduring power of love.

Now, I've got to be honest - this book isn't an easy read. It's pretty depressing, and there's not much action. But it's the kind of story that sticks with you. I found myself thinking about it for days after I finished it. It made me wonder how I'd react if something that weird happened to someone I love. Would I be understanding, or would I freak out?

The writing style is pretty simple, which is good because the story itself is so strange. Kafka doesn't waste time explaining why Gregor turned into a bug. He just jumps right in and focuses on how everyone deals with it. It's like he's saying, "Yeah, this is weird, but let's see what happens next."

One thing I really liked about the book is how it mixes the super weird (guy turns into bug) with the super ordinary (family worries about money). It makes the whole thing feel weirdly realistic, even though it's totally impossible.

I also thought it was interesting how Kafka never tells us exactly what kind of bug Gregor is. Is he a cockroach? A beetle? We don't know! This keeps things mysterious and lets us use our imagination.

So, would I recommend "The Metamorphosis"? 

Well, it depends. If you're looking for a fun, easy read, this ain't it. But if you want a book that'll make you think, that'll stick with you long after you've finished it, then give it a shot. It's pretty short, so even if you don't love it, you won't have wasted too much time.

Just maybe don't read it right before bed. Unless you want some really weird dreams about turning into a bug! 😂

Thank you!!

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