The Metamorphosis

Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is written about a young man named Gregor Samsa. Gregor is the caretaker and supporter of his entire family, including parents and sister, Grete. The story centers around the physical metamorphosis Gregor undergoes, from a human being to a giant insect. The metamorphosis contained in the book, however, lies far deeper than this physical representation. Kafka’s existential ideals and beliefs are woven rather obviously, and very significantly, into “The Metamorphosis”. Gregor’s life deals specifically with, among others, the existential ideas of identity vs. society, as well as existential despair and nausea. The story also features a number of ideas and conflicts which tie into the teachings of such existential philosophers as Kierkegaard and Sartre. Through the depiction of great conflict faced by a character such as Gregor, Kafka is able to share existential viewpoints and ideas while making them come alive to his readers through ...