The Metamorphosis

Franz Kafka
1883-1924
Lived in Prague, Czechoslovakia
Jewish
Worked selling insurance, writing on the side
The Russian Revolution occurred in 1917, with the communist takeover of Russia and Eastern Europe to follow in the years to come. This short story/novella takes place as these events are still in development and infancy, and capitalism is a unique idea in this part of the world.
Kafka (Cont.)
Kafka wrote much about man’s struggle to survive in a world of political upheavals.
Kafka” died in 1924 before the major changes in Europe occurred in the 1930s-1940s.
Several of his family members died in concentration camps in the 1940s.
Symbols
The number 3: segments of a bug; parts of the story
Boss/work: employer looks down on employees; consequences of capitalism
Woman’s picture/couch: last elements of “humanness” in Gregor’s room
Time/clock: human acceptance of time as running one’s life
Themes
Gregor as a universal human: Man lives a life of futility in an absurd, barren world that lacks true meaning.
Faceless forces: These faceless forces crush man and his ability to be successful.
As a religious allegory: God causes suffering; Man must endure.
Capitalism is evil: Look what happens to a man who works hard and is dedicated. Greedy, money hungry evil businesses will be the world’s ruin.
Characters
Gregor Samsa: protagonist; works hard; turns into a dung beetle; the main wage earner
Grete: Gregor’s sister; she plays the violin; she relies on Gregor; he was to send her to music school
Mother: quiet; allows father to run the house; freaks out but still loves Gregor
Father: doesn’t work; gets mad at Gregor for being a bug; low self esteem that turns to violence
Characters
Charwoman: the maid who must clean up after Gregor after mom refuses to and sister gives up
Chief clerk: one of the employees in Gregor’s office
Boss: Gregor’s boss who doesn’t understand why he isn’t at work; accuses Gregor of some wrongdoing
Significance
An early attempt at the bizarre. The story does not follow typical literary conventions. The characters are not as developed as in a novel, but the reader is given more information regarding characters and their aspirations.
Kafka’s characters are both dynamic and static. He uses the bizarre to make a point or to suggest what might happen if his society continues in the direction of capitalism or socialism. In other words, he suggests neither as positive, just what might happen if one takes control.
“The Metamorphosis”
Chapter 1:
Protagonist is Gregor Samsa, a salesman.
He wakes to discover that he has changed. He’s a dung beetle. He stays in his room as mother, father and sister knock and try to get him out.
Gregor worries that they’ll know because his voice is different.
“The Metamorphosis”
Chapter 1 cont.:
Gregor cannot get out of bed or roll over. He thinks his new state is all a dream (he hopes so anyway.)
He is late for work, and tries completely to ignore his situation. He hates his job, but it’s his only source of “being.”
He still lives at home, but is an adult (just like Kafka.)
“The Metamorphosis”
Chapter 1 cont.: The chief clerk tries to talk sense into Gregor saying that he’s worrying his family.
Gregor’s speech is now no longer understandable, but he is able to open the door. This causes Gregor’s mother to panic and the clerk leaves (after telling about Gregor’s poor work habits of late).
“The Metamorphosis”
Gregor is shoved back into his room with a stick the clerk has left behind. All is then silent.

“The Metamorphosis” Ch 2
Gregor’s sister Grete has brought him a bowl of milk with bread in it, but he finds it distasteful.
He finds food in the trash and cries because of his own hunger.
Grete brings him food each day and cleans his room. She leaves a chair by the window for Gregor to look out the window.
“The Metamorphosis” ch 2
His mother and father won’t come in and Grete prides herself on being able to look after Gregor, but she doesn’t like the sight of him, so he hides under a sheet.
The family had been supported by Gregor’s job. Gregor wanted to help send Grete to music school.
Gregor’s new pastime is crawling the walls.
“The Metamorphosis” ch 2
While moving the furniture, Gregor shocks his mother, and is cut by a falling bottle. When the father comes home, he chases Gregor around the room, throwing apples at him. Gregor is injured.
Gregor loses consciousness with his mother crying at his side.
“The Metamorphosis” Ch 3
3 months have passed, total. (1 since ch 2)
Mother, father and sister are all working and are in good health, but they are overworked. They begin to become indifferent to Gregor.
Gregor’s room is filthy as no one spends any time with him.
A char woman (maid of sorts) is hired to clean and she makes comments to Gregor.
“The Metamorphosis” Ch 3
3 boarders are taken in and Grete plays for them. Gregor moves toward her music and the borders are disgusted.
They want to be rid of Gregor.
He returns to his room and dies there at 3 in the morning. The maid finds him dead. The body is taken away. The boarders are told to leave.
The family goes out for a walk.


“The Metamorphosis” Ch 3
The family decides to move. The parents look at Grete and mention about how she has changed.
No mention is made of Gregor or their loss.