Analyzing The Metamorphosis Essay - 706 Words

Analyzing The Metamorphosis Upon first reading The Metamorphosis, a person might think the author is a little strange for writing such a story. It seems to defy anything rational, yet it has been regarded as a masterpiece in literature. I, myself, still wonder how Kafka could write such a great story that is, in my opinion, extremely bazaar and, well, weird. And that is putting it lightly. In the beginning of the story, Kafka abruptly brings us into the sad life of a traveling salesman, named Gregor. When he wakes up in the morning, the first picture that is painted is a round-bellied sort of insect lying on its back with its numerous legs, which were pitifully thin compared to the rest of his bulk, waved helplessly before his†¦show more content†¦I found this dependence frightening and would probably make me want to turn into a bug, too. Kafka was brilliant in not actually letting his readers know exactly what kind of bug Gregor was. It was obviously intentional. When the book got published, K afka was actually worried that the publisher would want to illustrate a picture of the bug-like creature. He wrote the publisher explaining that he didnt want any pictures that depicted what Gregor might have looked like. I like this idea because it really helps the reader of the story use their imagination. One of the worst things in the world is to read a book, get a picture in your head of what characters look and act like, and in the end, flip through pictures generated from another persons mind. In John Updikes commentary of Kafkas The Metamorphosis, he alludes to Gregor maybe being a centipede instead of a beetle or a cockroach. Though Kafka says Gregor has numerous legs, I do not necessarily think that means he has to be a centipede. To a human being, numerous legs would be six legs as compared to our normal two legs. Besides, never have I seen a centipede with a domed-like brown belly. Also, a cockroach (which would be a fitting choice) does not seem to match the des cription Kafka gives. I have concluded for myself that the bug that Gregor has sadlyShow MoreRelatedThe Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka936 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Metamorphosis†, by Franz Kafka, is a mystical tale about a young businessman who awakes one morning to find his physical appearance transformed. His family and business associates fear his transformation and take immediate action by locking him in his room. For the following months, his young sister cares for his wellbeing and survival by tending to his needs. However, as time passes by, the inconveniences of caring for Gregor create tension and irritability that ultimately leads to drasticRead MoreSocietys True Nature Depicted Through Albert Camus the Metamorphosis838 Words   |  4 PagesIn Franz Kafkas enigmatic novel The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa lives the life of a bug. 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