The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Essay Example

     The presence of an insect anywhere within the house is the most unwelcome feature but Samsa is one (transformed into a beetle perhaps of his own volition) and members of the household accept the fact for the reasons best known to them. The readers of the story are expected to go with the fact to enable them to appreciate the developments that take place in the family consequent to the isolation of the prime member from the mainstream dispositions and activities of a normal household. Insects live a regulated life within the perimeters bestowed to them by Nature. Before his transformation, Gregor lives such a life, comparatively lackluster, and remains engrossed in his work. He does his best to provide for the secular necessities of the family. He has no friends circle, no hobbies that make his life passionate, and no close interaction with family members except with his sister. Why the family does not involve him in day-to-day small incidents of happiness and sorrow is not explained in the story, but the fact is that he is a marginalized member and this realization intensely bothers him leading to his ‘transformation as the beetle.’ That is the mental sickness that shapes him into a beetle, and his cynicism is the cause of that to happen.

     The family expects him to provide for them, nothing more, and nothing less. Just as an ant or the worker-bee labors without intermission for providing food for the rest of the members of the nest, Gregor carries on with his life solely for the benefit of others. His life becomes regimented and devoid of any fun and sacrifice for others becomes the watchword for him. He just works, that’s all without any essential human dignity or charm. No thanks or words of gratitude for him and the family expect him to do what he does as if it is his bounden duty. He owns total responsibility on his shoulders, for issues concerning the welfare of the family. He does a thankless job and experiences a psychological compulsion to behave thus.  Gregor works hard and other members of the Samsa family turn lethargic, like the lazy drones in the beehive. Just eat and relax at the cost of others! Strangely though, the other members of the family tender alibis, for their inactivity. Samsa has a detached view as to what is going on in the family, his involvement in work is so deep, that he has no time to review and do some creative thinking about what is going on.

     Samsa has no expectations from the family and his reaction to their dispositions is at level zero. But his inner world is writhing in agony about the state of affairs with his family and he is unable to bear the deliberate suppressive act soon he is in a hopeless position, unable to handle the issues. He feels the responsibility for making them lazy.  At this juncture metamorphosis takes place and contrariety of roles happens. He is tired of their dependency on him as they hanker after his paycheck and neglect him as a member of the family. Even his parents hardly have any communication with him.   He experiences resentment at the subconscious level. He still wants to work but also feels that the welfare of the family will be better if he does not work. The process of metamorphosis is in the making for years but when the Samsa family finally acknowledges it, they disbelieve it. Read More