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 462nd interpretation of the Metamorphosis October 13, 2002
Gareth Turner (London, England United Kingdom)
87 out of 93 found this review helpful
Metamorphosis is one of the most famous works in 20th C literature, and possibly has the most memorable opening lines in the history of story telling, - 'As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning after disturbing dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into an enormous insect'. The standard interpretation of this allegorical tale is that Gregor's transformation from hard working travelling salesman, providing for his family, to a grotesque useless insect that provokes disgust and pity and ultimately rejection by his family, represents physical disability, and society's treatment of it. I can see this in the story, but I read Kafka as essentially portraying his nightmare of the barrier between the public and personal inner world being removed. The private mental life, with its sensitive and raw secrets, its ugly and embarrasing little features, the desires and instincts that we strive to keep hidden, and/or are forced to repress. The bug is the embodiment of the ugly and raw inside turned out, exposed for all the world to see. Particularly nightmarish for Gregor (kafka) is the fact that those who see are those he loves and whose rejecton he fears most of all - his family.
The Greatest Writer of the twentieth century? August 15, 2003
22 out of 26 found this review helpful
This book has been taking up space in my cupboard for a few months, since I had to read metamorphosis for my English degree. Yesterday I picked it up again, having graduated, and have only put it down since to write this.
Kafka is perhaps the most brilliant writer of the last century in perception and the way he can imaginatively express his ideas. 'Metamorphosis' is the most famous tale here, using the central metaphor of a man who awakes to find himself transformed into an insect, but the other stories have just as much to offer.
I was particularly surprised by the early 'Meditations' that appear here. The Editor notes that Kafka told his publisher to stop printing them, embarassed by what he saw as his early failings. This view is not born out by the shorts that appear here, each one taking a situation, observing the human behaviour taking place with humour but sympathy. Kafka makes the reader aware of the absurdity of his characters actions, but at the same time we are led to inherently understand the reasons for them. He never sacrifices a basic humanity.
'The Judgement' and 'The Stoker', the latter of which is the first chapter of the uncompleted novel 'Amerika', are strikingly effective stories. Any fans of Ishiguros 'The Unconsoled' should read these to see where that writers style comes from.
Kafka seems to be able to render the uncertainties, and lurking terror in the commonplace situations that take place in the modern world, in a light which every reader can share in. He expresses the inexpressible, instinctive doubts that anyone can feel at certain times. The unlikely situation of the one page parable, 'The Sudden Walk', is perhaps my favourite, as he depicts the sudden euphoria of taking action, in however small a respect. Again, we see the slight absurdity of the feelings this arouses, but see the subjective truth in them.
This collection has reinvested my faith in the sublime quality of literature that appears too rarely these days. I will definitely be reading the novels. A necessity for all literature fans.
Interesting read May 19, 2008
C. L. Heffer (UK)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I don't know all the metaphorical significance of this book, but I feel on the surface that the book is an intersting read, that you want to know what is going to happen to the family and especially the protagonist. You also feel for these people, which is, considering how short the story is, uncommon.
You have to read it to appreciate it, but it definately deserves a place as a classic.
Metamorphosis -Kafka July 13, 2009
Kafka Fan (Preston)
The Dover Thrift edition is good value. It won't break the bank. I had never read Kafka before and approached this slim volume of short stories with a little trepidation. However once started I was completely captured by the surreal situations that occur in the stories. I Googled some of the titles and found out a lot more about Kafka and the multiple ways in which his stories can be interpreted. I strongly recommend that you do this if you start to read him for the first time. I found it better to read a story first, then research it.
Transfiguration of the Family September 9, 2009
Simon A. Woodhart (Bristol, UK)
`Metamorphosis' tells the tale of Gregor Samsa, a man who awakens to find he has turned into an insect. His first thoughts turn to how late he is for work and how the possible loss of this job would affect his family. Only when Gregor's affliction is made known to his family do the existential dilemmas of being an insect become truly apparent.
Whilst reading this story my sympathies were purely with poor Gregor who is immediately despised by his father and is gradually neglected by his sister, the mother almost completely avoiding him at all costs to begin with. However, at the end of the story my thoughts fell on the character of Gregor prior to his transformation. It is known that he is the sole provider for the family and that his heart seems to be in the right place. However, one has to pay attention to the metamorphosis of the family and whether this tells more of Gregor than what he perceives of himself in his own mind.
The father turns from being an age worn man of leisure to a revitalized working man who takes control of his finances and gains (or regains) his authority, as can be gleaned from his final treatment of the three bearded tenants. Gregor's mother also would appear to regain vitality with work as does his sister who, on the verge of becoming a woman, is freed from the constraints of the familial home.
Did Gregor's good will have an adverse affect on his family? Was his martyr-like life as the provider an example of sanctimony that effectively oppressed his family? Perhaps Gregor's transformation is a form of karma? Was not his humane absence the catalyst that enabled his family to truly live again? What does it say about an individual when circumstances turn out for the better once he gone?
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