Existentialist Concepts of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Essay Example

?Full Existentialist Concepts “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka portrays the difficulties the family of Mr. Samsa has been through because of the transformation of a member from a responsible son to a hated monster. Gregor, the hard-working son, one day woke up with some difficulties getting up thinking he was sick. However, he was soon to find out that he had turned out into an animal that his parents did not dare to look at and could not understand. Although in his mind, Gregor was speaking clearly to his family, all he sounded like to his parents and sister was the sound of an animal. Due to such dilemma, the family was faced with financial troubles and the aging parents had to find jobs. Gregor formerly provided for all the necessities in the Samsa house and has efficiently done so as a businessman. He rented a modest house for the whole family to stay in and had to work harder in order to maintain the good life that his family was enjoying. He was concerned about the affairs of his parents and sister, thinking about their future, planning even for her sister. He meant to send her sister to the conservatory but with the turn of events, her young sister had to find a job and study at the same time. In addition to her tasks, Gregor’s sister, Grete, placed upon herself to look after the needs of her brother, bringing him his food and cleaning his room everyday. When the family’s savings run out, they thought of giving up the house because they cannot afford it anymore but they cannot leave it for fear about Gregor’s condition. They then found tenants to help pay off the bills and it was during this time that Gregor revealed himself to them. Although it was not the intention of the monster Gregor to show himself to the tenants, he forgot about being considerate when he was drawn by the playing of the violin of her sister. When the tenants found out that there was such a creature near their room, they demanded the Samsa’s that they cannot pay their bills because of the beast. With this, Grete lose control of herself and complained to her parents saying they better get rid of her monster brother. That night, everyone went to their rooms miserable especially Gregor. Early in the morning, the beast breathed his last and his corpse was soon found by the cleaner later. When she made noises commenting on the dead animal, the Samsa’s woke up to see if Gregor was indeed dead. Upon confirmation, they all gathered together in their room and had a small talk. They soon got rid of the tenants and wrote letters of excusal to the people concerned with their affairs. Mr. Samsa wrote to his employer, the wife to her contractor and the daughter to her principal because they decided to have a break from all their hard labor and their miserable times in their house. The story reflects existentialist concepts of self-awareness. The vivid descriptions and the seemingly unending suspense in the story eventually stirs the readers to question what is really happening in the story which in turn makes one wonder about the significance of the scenes in real life. In the animalistic state of Gregor, he has come to an awareness of what he has become and how his family could turn against him now that he is useless and becoming a great burden to them. This is specially emphasized in the first part of the story when Gregor did not yet know what he had become. The thought that he was still himself who just felt a little queer or sick made him wonder about the reactions of the chief clerk and his parents. The span of time to Gregor’s discovery of his transformation may have taken a long time because he never thought that he was different. However, when he realized his situation, Gregor became considerate enough to his family members, hiding himself whenever the door opens in order not to frighten whoever entered his room. Similarly, the other members of the family gave more meaning to their existence as they sought to help themselves in their dire situation. Grete and her parents seemed satisfied with their lives when Gregor was still a human being because they were well-provided for by the businessman. However, when he was transformed into an animal, his family seemed to have been awakened to the realities of life. In addition, this circumstance also shows the struggle for a sense of significance and purpose in life. For the parents, although they were already aging and feeling the difficulties of their circumstance, they still have to work for them to provide for the basic needs of the family and to provide the necessary shelter for Gregor. Grete on the other hand has to work at her tender age and serve her brother. The pressures of her life caused her to think about how significant her sacrifices are and how important her life has to be lived as well. for Gregor, much of the story is used to describe his search for care and importance in the lives of his family. As time passed, he noticed that his family was not taking care of him anymore and he seemed so alone that he yearned more and more for their attention. These circumstances drove him to seek to become a part of their lives once again however, it only made things worse and made her sister hate her. When he discovered that he is not wanted anymore, he succumbed to death. Ironically, the death of Gregor was to the three surviving Samsas, the entry for them to another life. When the animal died, the family celebrated and they decided to treat themselves to a day off. In this event, the couple realized how their daughter is transforming into a beautiful young woman ready to be married and they knowingly agreed through their gazes that sooner, they will have to find a man for her. The act portrayed at the end of the story, with Grete getting up first when they reached their destination and stretching her young body is a symbolism of transformation. Their new destination and their new outlooks in life mark the beginning of their new life without Gregor. They are now free to go about their own lives. Similar concepts are presented in “The Wall” by Jean-Paul Sartre. The emotional stress the characters have gone through while waiting for daybreak, knowing that they will be shot to death in the morning, made the men show how one could react in real circumstances. For instance, one was pissing on his pants without noticing it because he was too nervous to even feel it. A similar irony presented by Kafka in his story is also portrayed in Sartre’s wherein the storyteller accepted that he would better die than give up his friend to their enemies. However, fate has played on him when he tried to mislead his captors saying that the man they are looking for is in the cemetery. Unknown to him, his friend who was sought for in exchange for his head, really went to the cemetery for refuge. Although the protagonist did not mean to, his friend was captured while he was released to tell his story. One’s death was the other’s freedom. That is reality. Such things do exist. References Kafka, Franz. Metamorphosis. Project Gutenberg Ebook. August 16, 2005. Web. October 14, 2012. . Sartre, Jean-Paul. The Wall. n.d. web. October 14, 2012 . Read More