"I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself."
Book: The Metamorphosis | Author: Franz Kafka
Genre: Fiction (Novel)
Metamorphosis is a short novel written by Franz Kafka in 1915. He is considered one of the most influential writer of modern literature. After reading metamorphosis one can't resist appreciating Kafka's imagination and his intriguing writing style. There are many possible interpretations; however, in my opinion, metamorphosis alludes to the predicament of a modern man and the crises of individuality in our society.
The story seems absurd when you start reading it. However, its meaning is deep and even difficult to comprehend. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, wakes up from sleep one day and finds himself inexplicably transformed into a giant insect. Gregor is a traveling salesman and a sole breadwinner for his family. However, his new shape doesn't allow him to work. No one understands his language anymore. Instead of two feet, he now has many tiny feet, which put Gregor in great pain while walking in his little room. His belly and back has transformed into many insects-like segments. Seeing this creature, his mother faints and his father locks him in his room. His only sister, Grete, brings him food and cleans after him, while he stays under the couch since he doesn't want to scare her off. Soon, she also becomes tired of him and suggests to her parents that they should get rid of him; he is not the Gregor they knew. It's something different - a monster. Hearing the conversation and seeing their misery, Gregor stops eating and starves himself to death.
In my view, Gregor's cockroach-like shape represents individuality of a modern man. In other words, if a man doesn't follow society's rules and doesn't imitate others, he becomes alienated from family, people and society. Whenever a man tries to be different and refuse to mingle with society and its so-called norms, he is dubbed as an outsider. When he tries to be different than the herd, the consequences is that nobody talks to him. Everyone despises him. Society makes his life miserable. When he aims to transform himself from ordinary to extraordinary, he becomes egoistic, narcissistic, and greedy in the eyes of people.
On the other hand, when a man is following society and its norms and do what everyone else is doing, he becomes acceptable to the society. In other words, when he is trying to be like everyone else and discards his own individuality, he becomes a perfect man. Our society is full of such people. People are constantly trying to imitate each other, doing exactly the same things as others. They become slave of society and other people, thus losing their individuality and uniqueness. Moreover, they can't do otherwise because the price is too heavy. The price is isolation, and in some cases, even death.
Usually people who are different from the herd are most likely to commit suicide, just as Gregor refused to eat food and starved himself to death. People who take such a daring step, perhaps, understand society better than ordinary people. They understand the true face of society. They understand that nobody is going to help them; no one is going to listen to their story, or going to understand their pain. In the end they say what's the point of living, and so death becomes more attractive than life because society strangles them from every side, leaving them no choice but death.
Metamorphosis is a short novel of about 70 pages. It can be read in several hours. However, numerous interpretations of metamorohoshis are possible. In fact, critics wildly disagree on the book's message and its interpretation. That's the reason why it's a masterpiece in modern literature. I am sure when you read it, you will come up with an interpretation of your own.
My favourite lines from the book:
"I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself."
"How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense."
"Calm —indeed the calmest— reflection might be better than the most confused decisions."
"I only fear danger where I want to fear it."
"However, Gregor had become much calmer. All right, people did not understand his words any more, although they seemed clear enough to him, clearer than previously, perhaps because had gotten used to them."
Sheraz Khan can be reached at sherazreads@gmail.com.
Nice review