Metamorphosis - Franz kafka

What would one do if someone were to lose their own identity, identity not in the sense of a name but the gift of remaining a human, probably there would be no answer for this in the present world, but long years ago, Franz Kafka figured it out in a fantastically written satire of such an event. “Metamorphosis” regarded as one of the many important works in literature brings out this concept of loss of identity in the most beautiful of forms.

 “Metamorphosis” tells us a story about Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day to discover that he has metamorphosed into a bug. It had been a long time since I wanted to read this book, and finally did in the most surprising of situations. Frankly, it was a great experience to go through the entire thought of the same.

Reading through the prose, it takes one through many questions about humanity and the society in particular. What identity loss can mean and how it can impact one and it’s family has been beautifully brought out in this class work.  The entire narrative of “Gregor”, the protagonist, who turns into a bug is exceptionally detailed, especially the events after the transformation. It gives you the insight into the mind of bug with a human brain but a body of an insect. Interesting is also the reactions, Gregor gets from his family and workmate. A lot of insights has been given to the reactions of each of the family members and their ultimate decision also makes you think about our entire existence as humans.

What also makes this book interesting is a short biography of the author at the start of the book followed by a preface to the book. Everything mentioned therein makes you wonder a lot about those years. “Metamorphosis” was published in the year 1915, and he died in the year 1924 unable to see what prolific publishing the book got later on. This also makes one wonder about many facets about authors of early nineteen century. Majority of their works had actually received success and fame after the respective authors had passed away.

There are quite a bit of ironies of life in this book which one would surely relate to as one reads it. The end, of course has been very practical but surely introspecting one also.

One of the very ironical lines in the book which I quote as below gives a perfect reflection about human nature: “The previous morning while the doors were locked everyone had wanted to get in there to him, but now, now that he had opened up one of the doors and the other had clearly been unlocked some time during the day, no one came and the keys were on the other sides.”