While reading Kafka’s Metamorphosis, I found myself becoming increasingly depressed as time passed and Gregor only became more burdensome to his family.
Of all the characters, I identified with Gregor the most. He was eager to work in order to financially support his family even after his transformation, and tried nobly to open his bedroom door only to be found horrid and unsightly by his sister and parents. I thought it was particularly awful when his mother fainted at the sight of him.
I felt encaged and empty, like Gregor, when he was trapped in his room, gradually losing all purpose in life. He ceased to eat, and became more dejected as the furniture that defined the essence of his life was removed.
As the story progressed, I continued to hope that there would be a happy solution to Gregor’s condition, and that he would magically transform back to his human self. However, his family lost faith in the idea and no longer wanted anything to do with him.
I was especially disappointed with Grete, who seemed to be the most promising and caring at the beginning of the story. At the end of Metamorphosis, she admitted that she could no longer pretend that Gregor was still with them and, upon his death, the family moved on as if Gregor had never existed, which broke my heart and left me with a feeling of hollowness.
Sources:
http://www.flatremovalslondon.co.uk/why-is-time-passing-so-quick/
I especially agree when you said that you were anticipating some happy ending. I read the metamorphosis for the first time in junior year in high school. I mean if he just turned into an insect without any explanation, then it would not be far fetched that he would suddenly turn back into a human. But sadly it never happened. Although what does the image of the bent iron bars represent? Is it Gregor possibly escaping his predicament?
I also liked Gregor the best out of all the characters, but your reason for liking him was actually a negative for me. While it was respectable that he was so dedicated to his work, he seemed like a mindless drone to me when it came to his job. He was completely blind to his circumstance and refused to acknowledge it in the beginning. That really bothered me.
I liked your images. I felt like they really illustrated what you had to say. The window one especially had me thinking of Gregor when he was by the window about to die. It was such a sad moment. I too liked Gregor and felt disappointed with Grete. You would think that she would care so much to see her brother live and at least help him until the end. However, thinking about it myself, I would probably be grossed out by a cockroach so I applaud her a little for dealing with such a disturbing insect.
Nick – I agree with you. I think it does symbolize him escaping his fate finally and dying. It was sad but it was honestly better for him to die than to suffer everyday of his life being the breadwinner of the house, but solely the breadwinner rather than a son or brother.
Janice Fong
I think most people who first read the book would agree with you that they are expecting a happy ending. That Gregor might turn back into a human after enduring some predicament and finally regain his position as a human being in the family. Althought the tragic ending was not a surprise either. From my point of view the author is tapping into a dark side of humanity, having done so it would seem irregular to give a happy ending to a dark story.