Kafka!

Kafka’s Metamorphisis is an extremely interesting story that helps us as readers to analyze the human mind. The story itself is quite strange, unlike anything I have ever read before. Why did Kafka write about a man turning into an insect? Why, out of all the things in the world, an insect??

There is an answer to these questions. Kafka is trying to teach us readers an important lesson, through analyzing the characters, especially Gregor. Through Metamorphosis, Kafka shows that suppressed feelings, mindsets, and attitudes can seriously affect an individual. In the story, the attitudes and mindsets of Gregor’s family in combination with his own suppressed feelings of anger and worthlessness transform Gregor into an insect.

It is obvious that Gregor’s family did not treat Gregor with basic respect and appreciation. Though Gregor slaves away to repay his father’s debts, his family treats him as a pest, both literally and metaphorically. After so much horrible treatment, Gregor’s mind starts to make himself believe that he is nothing better than an insect. My mother has told me something similar to the story. When my brother and I were younger, she would always tell me not to bully my brother, for that would eventually ruin his self esteem and proud. But, this is exactly what Gregor’s family does: they ruin his self esteem, his pride, and his confidence. Gregor begins to believe that he is really nothing better than an insect, a pest. How sad. If only my mother taught his family.

It is not just Gregor’s family that turns him into an insect, but it is Gregor himself who aids in his own transformation. Gregor’s suppressed feelings of worthlessness and self disgust only help him quickly become acquainted and normal with his new insect life. After so long, Gregor’s suppressed feelings built up and his transformation into an insect helped him release his suppressed feelings. By transforming into an insect, Gregor was able to let go of the harboring pain and accept the harsh reality with which he is treated with.

Furthermore, Gregor’s suppressed feelings lead him to believe that he is actually a pest. This situation is very typical in human beings. Many times one hears, “I feel so free, like a bird” or something like, “I felt like a lion”. I believe that humans associate themselves with specific animals or other creatures to help express suppresses feelings. In Gregor’s case though, he turns into an insect.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis teaches us an important lesson: be careful about the way you treat others. As Kafka showed us, harsh attitudes and suppressed emotions can turn into life changing transformations. Do we want others to feel useless, worthless, or insignificant as a result of how we treat them? Is that right? We should always be aware of how we treat others, because our attitudes can transform others in ways we can not expect or do not intend to. Kafka, through his strange story, teaches us this important lesson; a lesson that everyone can use on a universal level.

Thank you Kafka. After writing this blog, I don’t think you were on drugs while writing this story: I think you were a man who was writing a story with great passion and wisdom.