An analysis of "Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

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Analysis on “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, is a novel where this middle-classed man is transformed into a bug overnight, and the whole book narrates his struggle of not being able to go to work and being neglected by his family in this metamorphosis. Despite the fact that Kafka never stated any subliminal implications, it appears that Kafka through this story endeavours to criticise society at the time, portraying a situation where people act under their innate reactions. Searching to illustrate the true hypocrisy hidden in people, which is only brought up when atypical situations appear.

        “The Metamorphosis” has a structure that is very different from a conventional short story. While conventional short stories have a structure of a beginning, then a problem, then a climax, and at last a conclusion. This story starts out at the climax, where Gregor is waking up, when he notices that he has been transformed into a beetle. These different successions of happenings give us a hint that this transformation Gregor is going through is a dream, or actually a nightmare. This allusion of a dream is also shown in other parts of the novel, as when Gregor is late to his job and everyone is around him shouting “open up, Gregor”. This unconventional structure of having the climax at the start of the novel, links to the way communists lived during the beginning of the 20th century, where they were born with a problem, which was not having enough money to sustain themselves, and throughout their lives they had to deal with this difficulty having to work every day, which was referred as the “class struggle”.

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        Out of all the things Gregor could change into, he changes into an insect. Gregor’s life was actually very similar to the one of an insect. Most insects, especially ants and bees, have some sort of workers that provide for the rest of the group. Gregor provides for his family in much the same way as an insect would provide for its nest or hive. He sacrifices almost all aspects of fun, and does not desire to do anything but work. Eventually, his income becomes less of a generous act, and more of an expectation. His family's existence rests solely ...

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