Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” is a unique story that uses a fantastical idea to show its realistic ramifications. The first line of the story comes in the form of an astonishing revelation: Gregor Samsa has transformed into a cockroach over night. That one line serves to jolt the reader as if invoking the sound of sudden thunder and lightning on a clear sunny day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6p86Kp6tDE
It almost seemed like the story started at a climactic moment, and the narrator would go in a flashback to explain how Gregor came to be in his current situation. Instead, Gregor moved on with his life, within a few moments, as if his tragic situation bears no significance in his mind. Even in his vermin state, he is concerned about his financial needs and determined to catch the train for work. His work routine and daily life can be described with the color grey. His life lacks thrill, risk, and excitement. (In fact, I initially thought of Gregor as a worker during the Industrial Revolution, mainly because he worked long hours, earned low wages, and lived an unexciting life.) Gregor’s attitude towards his situation and the events that follow in the story reminds me of J.S. Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue” played in D Minor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY
The pipe organ’s dreadful music in the beginning (0:00-0:30) depicts the revelation of Gregor’s metamorphosis and his reaction to that. From 0:34 to 1:00, the music depicts his struggle to get out of bed. The repetition of the keys in that time frame is chief in the portrayal of Gregor’s numerous attempts (because of his unawareness of his new body) to get out of bed.
The sound after Gregor manages to open the locked door (to reason with the Chief clerk and his family) corresponds to the music played from 1:54 to 1:57. In addition, I thought that after looking at her son, Mrs. Samsa would let out a shrill and sharp noise and hide away due to the horror. Her reaction contrasted with that of her husband who chased Gregor to drive him back to his room. At first, the scene had a somewhat of a comic-relief feel to it, which I associated with the chasing scenes of “Tom and Jerry”.
Adebimpe, A. (2012, April 21). Origin of Tom and Jerry. Retrieved from http://bimbailey.blogspot.com/2012/04/origin-of-tom-and-jerry.html
However, Mr. Samsa’s aggressive and inconsiderate attitude ceased that feeling, especially after that loud, brutal kick that left Gregor unconscious.
In the next chase, I found myself confused about his father’s cruel reaction.
123RF Stock Photos. (NA). Stock Photo- Aqua Emoticons- Confused. Retrieved from http://www.123rf.com/photo_4269351_aqua-emoticons–confused.html
123RF Stock Photos. (NA). Stock Photo- Aqua Emoticons- Confused. Retrieved from
In fact, when Mr. Samsa threw the apple that pierced Gregor’s back, I sensed that his pain would be equivalent to that a human being shot by an arrow. The words that fleeted through my mind ranged from pain, harsh, cruel, to outright appalling.
Sherman, Paul. (2013, March 27). Bow with Arrow. Retrieved from http://www.wpclipart.com/weapons/bow_arrow/bow_with_arrow.png.html
In addition, the family’s fear of Gregor resulted in his captivity. Although I realize that the room was probably spacious enough for him, I wonder if he ever felt claustrophobic. To me, his room looked like a locked, somber place (with little to no furniture), where a window occasionally afforded him a little bit of sunlight and freedom.
The New England Journal of Aesthetic Research. (2007). NA. Retrieved September 14, 2013, from http://aesthetic.gregcookland.com/2007/04/abelardo-morell.html
In his concern for his family, Gregor decides to sacrifice himself. His decision reminded me of the human sacrificing ritual in the Aztec society. In history, spilling human blood was a believed to be a way to please God and ensure the continuity of life on Earth. Similarly, in the story, Gregor believed that by sacrificing himself, he would please his family members and ensure that they live without any social and financial obstructions. He freed them from having to worry about his food or the fact that he needs to stay out of sight of the parents and the tenants. The church bell that the narrator subtly mentions while describing Gregor’s last moments demonstrates his good intentions. (Gregor’s situation also reminded me of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller where the protagonist is a traveling salesman like Gregor who ends his life after trying to deal with his family’s financial problems.)
Despite the narrator’s clear disclosure to Gregor’s death, I hoped he would stay alive or wake up from his long-winding dream. However, when it became clear that Gregor had died and the family had moved on, I envisioned waves collapsing at the shore.
123RF Stock Photos. (NA). Stock Photo- Sunrise with beautiful colors at the sea shore. Retrieved from http://www.123rf.com/photo_5253429_sunrise-with-beautiful-colors-at-the-sea-shore.html
Overall, although I found the premise of the story to be a little frightening, I learned something about human nature. That Gregor spent the crucial years of his life taking care of his family at his own expense made no difference once he transformed into a roach. Rather than being there for him to lessen the weight of the problems that the tragedy inflicted on him, the family members only added to it by acting disrespectfully. Their disgust and fear of Gregor combined with their obsession to make more money made the conclusion even more discomforting. Gregor gave away the last valuable thing he possessed to his family and in return, received an impolite goodbye. Because his family didn’t recognize that he was still the same Gregor on the inside, I think a cover image that would adequately convey this theme of the story is of an image of a cockroach reflecting back through a mirror at the image of a man who is locked in his room while his family enjoys a day at the park.
One detail that struck me as I read your post was your analysis of Gregor’s sacrifice as comparable to the Aztec culture. I thought this was interesting because I never saw Gregor’s contribution to his family as a forfeit of his true dreams (whatever they may be, we’ll never know) but as loyalty to his family. I think that’s why I found it incredibly ironic that in the end it is his family who turn on him and lose faith in the possibility there is any humanity left in Gregor the roach. So, to see Gregor’s duty as a son described as a personal sacrifice makes me wonder why Kafka would have skewed the limited omniscient perspective to lean more to view Gregor as inherently loyal than view Gregor as self-sacrificing. I think I consider the two characteristics different because loyalty implies that the character is a good person and deserving of a good future. To be sacrificing implies that one is giving something up (albeit selflessly, but still losing a part of oneself). Combined with the knowledge that Kafka projected his inferioritiy complex and low self-confidence into Gregor reveals why writing the character more down-trodden and incomplete would have suited Kafka’s own personality better. Your cost opened up a whole new way of looking at Gregor’s actions and how by sacrificing his own pursuits to become a traveling salesman led to sacrificing his humanity and eventually led to sacrificing his own life.
Also, I really enjoyed the comparison to “Death of a Salesman”. It almost acts like an alternate universe for readers to theorize what would have happened if Gregor hadn’t sacrificed his dreams and fallen to his father’s wish of his becoming a traveling salesman. Biff surely holds that reality while Happy decides to go the same direction as Gregor.
When I read the book, I focused more on the visual imagery and had never associated any music with the story; however, after reading your post, I can definitely hear the sounds with the plot. I agree with your point with Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The dark, suspenseful music works very well with the twisted storyline of a man who transforms into a cockroach. I also liked your comparison to Tom and Jerry; however, I imagined the chase between Gregor and Mr. Samsa to be more serious. I believe Mr. Samsa was more disgusted and scared when he forced Gregor into his room. Tom and Jerry is targeted towards a younger audience so it is more playful and cute. In addition, I was less confused and more angry with Mr. Samsa’s reaction. I was angry because, despite Gregor’s new appearance, he is still his son. Family loves unconditionally and it is quite sad that Gregor’s family no longer truly cares for him after his transformation. I also agree with your image of the beach. When Gregor dies, his family is very peaceful and calm just like the waves at the shore.
I really liked your idea that Metamorphosis started at a climatic moment and the narrator worked backwards to explain how Gregor came to his current situation. I agree with this because as the story progresses the reader gets a sense of Gregor’s horrible working environment and low self-esteem. I agree that Gregor’s life can be described by the color grey because his life consisted of monotonous work and an unappreciative family. I found your comparison of Gregor to a worker during the Industrial Revolution very interesting because I didn’t think of that while reading, but it makes sense; Gregor worked long hours for a small pay.
I like how you pointed out the difference between Mrs. and Mr. Samsa. Mrs. Samsa was terrified to even look at Gregor, while Mr. Samsa had no problem chasing him back to his room. You make a good point comparing the apple to an arrow because the apple left a dent on Gregor’s back.
I’m not sure if the only reason Gregor decided to let himself die is to sacrifice himself. I think he had enough of listening to his family’s complaints and knew he would starve to death anyway. I agree with your closing remark that Gregor’s family acted completely disrespectful towards Gregor. It shows that his family judged him on his appearance rather than his hard work and dedication.