Darina Burdyaeva

Prompt 3. Analyze the meaning(s) of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a vermin in Franz

Kafka’s short story “The Metamorphosis”.

In Franz Kafka's short story The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa's ordinary life takes an

inexplicable turn. One morning he wakes up to find that he has been transformed into a grotesque

parasite, and this sets off a chain of events that explore the depths of psychological experience and

symbolism hidden beneath the surface. This enigmatic and suspenseful story immediately captures

the reader's attention, inviting them to plumb the depths of symbolism and psychological experiences

that are hidden beneath the surface. Metamorphosis contains symbolic elements that can be

interpreted in many different ways. Through Gregor's transformation, Kafka addresses issues such as

exclusion, identity, and the nature of humanity. Gregor Samsa's metamorphosis into a parasite serves

as a powerful metaphor for existential breakdown and dispossession in man. Kafka's depiction of

conversion invites readers to delve into the complex issues of identity, alienation, and the struggle for

acceptance and understanding in a world that often fails to recognize our humanity. Gregor Samsa's

transformation into a parasite serves as a powerful allegory of human alienation and existential crisis.

This metamorphosis symbolizes Gregor's loss of his identity, turning him into an object of disgust

and shame.

In the novel, Kafka portrays Gregor Samsa's transformation into a parasite as a catalyst for his

dehumanization in the eyes of his family and society. Prior to his transformation, Gregor is a

dedicated and hardworking merchant focused solely on providing for his family. However, his

metamorphosis into a parasite results in immediate dehumanization, highlighting the superficiality of

human relationships and societal norms. Gregor's transformation causes his family to be shocked and

disgusted. His father, who once depended on Gregor for financial support, now sees him as a burden

and a disgrace to the family name: "He knew from the very first day of his new life that in his father's
eyes only the greatest severity was the right way to deal with him."(Kafka, 58) His mother initially

sympathizes with him but soon becomes indifferent, focusing more on the practicalities of caring for

him than on his emotional well-being. Even his sister, Grete, who initially takes on the role of

caregiver, eventually becomes resentful and sees him as a hindrance to her own life: "I will not utter

my brother's name in front of this monster, so I will simply say: we must try to get rid of it. We have

tried everything humanly possible, looking after it and putting up with it; I don't think anyone can

reproach us in the slightest for that."(Kafka, 68) The family switches from sympathy to practicality.

For them, their own comfort and convenience are more important than Gregor's well-being. The

absurdity is that the family continues to keep up appearances despite the extraordinary

circumstances. They continue to receive guests and worry about their position in society, even as

Gregor deteriorates. They look at him with disgust and fear, treating him as an object rather than a

human being. The door symbolizes the boundary between Gregor and the outside world. As he

becomes more insect-like, the door becomes an insurmountable barrier, emphasizing his alienation

from society. This reflects Kafka's criticism of a society that values people solely on their

performance and appearance rather than their inner humanity. Gregor's transformation forces him to

re-evaluate his own sense of self and how he is perceived by those around him: "Gregor was a

member of the family who was not to be treated as an enemy; instead, family duty towards him

commanded that they should swallow their disgust, and put up with him in patience, just put up with

him."(Kafka, 59) It also forces the reader to question their own preconceived notions of what it

means to be human and how society defines the value of an individual. In a society that values

productivity and efficiency above all else, Gregor's transformation renders him useless and therefore

disposable. His value is reduced to his appearance, which reflects the superficiality of human

relationships in a capitalist society. Through Gregor's transformation, Kafka emphasizes the need for

empathy and understanding towards those who are different or marginalized, as well as the

importance of recognizing and appreciating the inherent humanity of all people.

emphasizing the arbitrary and meaningless nature of existence. This theme is central to Kafka's

exploration of the human condition and the inherent absurdity of life. "As Gregor Samsa woke one

morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed into some kind of monstrous vermin,”-

that sudden and inexplicable transformation sets the tone for the entire story, emphasizing the

absurdity of Gregor's situation.(Kafka, 29) Gregor's transformation into a parasite is a vivid example

of the unpredictability of life and the absurdity of human existence. The abruptness and

inexplicability of his transformation emphasize the arbitrariness of life and man's lack of control over

his own destiny. Kafka deliberately avoids explaining the reason for Gregor's transformation,

emphasizing the inexplicable and absurd aspects of life. One of the key aspects of existential

absurdity is the idea that life is inherently meaningless. Despite our best efforts, life can throw us

into discouraging situations without warning. No matter how worthy or purposeful our lives may

seem, outside forces can reduce us to nothingness. This is reflected in Gregor's transformation, as it

serves no apparent purpose and leads to no greater understanding or enlightenment. And after he

realizes who he has become he continues not to live but to exist. "His many legs, miserably thin in

comparison with his size otherwise, flickered helplessly before his eyes,"- the physical description of

Gregor's new form further emphasizes the absurdity of his transformation as he tries to come to

terms with his horrifying appearance.(Kafka, 29) The fact that he transforms into a parasite, a

creature traditionally associated with filth and decay, also emphasizes the absurdity of human

existence. His inability to fit into his former life emphasizes the ridiculousness of clinging to familiar

roles when circumstances have drastically changed. It suggests that no matter how hard a person tries

to maintain a sense of dignity and purpose, life can still reduce him to an insignificant and

unimportant being. Through this transformation, Kafka forces the reader to face the meaninglessness

and unpredictability of life, as well as the absurdity of human existence.

his family. He works tirelessly as a traveling salesman, focusing solely on meeting the financial

needs of his parents and sister. However, after he wakes up one morning to find that he has turned

into a monstrous parasite, Gregor's sense of self is shattered. Throughout the story, Kafka gives

several examples of Gregor trying to reconcile his new form with his former identity. Gregor

struggles with his own identity. He clings to remnants of his human self, such as his framed painting

of a lady in furs.

His self-esteem becomes tied to his usefulness. As he loses the ability to work, he questions

his purpose and existence. For example, when Gregor first discovers his transformation, he is more

worried about missing work and letting his employer down than he is about the shocking physical

changes he has undergone: "Just don't stay uselessly in bed."(Kafka, 32) This suggests that his

identity is so closely tied to his work that even in his transformed state, he cannot escape the

pressures of his former life. The relentless pursuit of financial stability for his family leaves no room

for self-discovery and self-realization. His transformation forces him to face the emptiness of such an

existence. Furthermore, Gregor's attempts to communicate with his family become increasingly

unsuccessful as they do not understand his insect-like sounds, further distancing him from his human

identity. And this creates a growing chasm between his human past and his insect-like present.

Gregor's voice becomes a mysterious code that makes him an outsider even in his own home. He

becomes a passive observer of his own life, unable to state his desires or make choices. Kafka uses

Gregor's transformation to explore the fragility of identity in the face of radical change. By depicting

Gregor's struggle to maintain his sense of self in the midst of his physical transformation, Kafka

emphasizes the fragility of human identity. Gregor's transformation forces him to confront the

limitations of his former identity, which ultimately leads to a profound existential crisis. His

transformation into a parasite not only dehumanizes him in the eyes of his family, but also causes

him to question the very essence of his existence: "His own opinion that he should vanish was, if
possible, even more determined than his sister's."(Kafka, 71) Through Gregor's fate, Kafka invites

readers to reflect on the nature of identity and how external forces can shape and define who we are.

This exploration of Gregor's identity crisis demonstrates how Kafka uses the theme of transformation

to delve into philosophical questions about the nature of existence. By exploring the effects of

Gregor's transformation on his sense of self, Kafka forces readers to consider the fragility of human

identity and how it can be affected by external circumstances.

Gregor Samsa's metamorphosis into a parasite serves as a profound allegory of human

alienation and existential crisis. His loss of humanity underscores the dehumanizing influence of

modern life and draws attention to Kafka's critique of a society that values man solely for his

productivity. The existential absurdity inherent in Gregor's transformation emphasizes that it reflects

the arbitrary and meaningless aspects of existence. Kafka's depiction of Gregor's absurd situation can

make the reader confront the absurdity of his own life too and the futility of searching for meaning in

a chaotic universe. Through Gregor's identity crisis, Kafka emphasizes the fragile and impermanent

nature of identity, inviting readers to question the stability of their own identity in the face of

unexpected challenges. The Metamorphosis offers a chilling exploration of the human condition,

forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about identity, alienation, and the absurdity of

existence. Through Gregor's transformation, Kafka invites us to reflect on our own lives and how we

navigate the complexities of the modern world. Kafka's masterpiece continues to resonate with

readers today, serving as a haunting reminder of the fragility of our humanity and the ever-present

threat of existential crisis.

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Translated by Joyce Crick. Oxford, Oxford World’s Classics,

2009.