Franz Kafka’s work, and particularly his novel Metamorphosis have become icons in pop culture since their publication. Even someone who has never heard of Kafka is almost certain to have come across references to him. To me, this is quite ironic to think about, since Kafka himself never wanted his work to be published.
Kafka is known for his deeply melancholic temperament. This was evident in Metamorphosis, where at times the excessive sadness was overbearing. Yet, Kafka manages to externalize this vehement sorrow artfully with words, creating astoundingly relatable literature. The story is that of a young man called Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman that lives with his sister and their parents. One day, he unexpectedly wakes up as a cockroach-like bug, although the species is never clearly stated. This creates great change in their lives as Gregor can no longer live normally. At first, his family try their best to accommodate him but, as the story progresses, things get more and more noxious for everyone involved.
The plot itself is quite abstract. But the theme, the underlying message, is all but too factual. From my precedent research as well as my own inferences, I would say there are two main ways this novel may be analysed. The first, and my personal favourite, is that Gregor has become disabled, or is otherwise afflicted with a debilitating condition. When viewed with this context, the story is a tragic reflection of what many people experience after an accident or during an illness that renders that dysfunctional. The bug analogy could very well be a reference how dehumanizing such tribulations are. Another idea is that Gregor suffers of a mental illness. Surely enough, mental illnesses like depression also often times strike suddenly, leaving their victims as mere shells of a person.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a short but impactful experience. Metamorphosis has an interesting plot, deep characters and excellent writing all in a very short text.