According to Dictionary.com - a metamorphosis is, "a profoundchange in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism--a complete change of form, structure, or substance--a form resulting from any such change." In considering this definition, what was Gregor's life like before and after his metamorphosis--do you believe his change was literal or metaphoric and why?
Before Gregor's metamorphosis his life was not his own. He lived and did everything for his family. They took the fact that he basically put his life on hold to pay off his father's debt and provide for the family in a way in which they had become accustomed to. We know that Gregor really hated his job and was going to quit as soon as he had paid the director back. He really loved his sister and wanted to send her to the conservatory so she could learn more about the violin. However, even she did not really appreciate what he was doing for the family.
After Gregor's metamorphosis he kinda lived for himself and his basic needs. He was the one who was being taken care of now and he pretty much just ate, slept, ran around the room, and listen to his family's conversations. His sister was now the person taking care of him but even she eventually got tired of that. Because of Gregor's change it made his family realize how much he actually did for them. In turn they had to start relying on themselves and get up and start doing something. Even his mother who was a bit sickly, contributed to the family by sewing lingerie. The sister, Greta, really stepped up and became a woman throughout the story and she kinda took over Gregor's place in the family.
I think that in the story the change was real, but that the author wrote it to make you think of other things. Like maybe when a person gets sick and dies or a tragedy happens. I think the author really wanted you to think that Gregor actually changed into a cockroach but everybody knows that can never actually happen. Therefore, I think it is metaphoric to how some people's family dynamic is and how we in society take other people for granted. But when the tables turn we don't always care for them in the same way.
I think your last paragraph is absolutely true. I actually hadn't thought about it like that before. Kafka definitely wrote the story with Gregor's transformation being literal, but wanted the reader to get something more out of it. He wanted the audience to consider their role in their respective family, and if they would be taken care of if they couldn't take care of themselves. In this way it kind of reminds me of a biblical parable. You can provide, love, and help many different people, but when times get rough, will they return the feeling and work? It's something you never know until a situation arises.
ReplyDeleteI agree that after his transformation, Gregor's family started to realize how much he did for them before, but I don't think they ever really appreciated him for it. It seems that the only one who realizes this is his sister, as she takes care of him for awhile. If his family truly realized how much he did for them before his transformation, then they should have worked a little harder taking care of him. I think they should have been a little more grateful to him instead of just ignoring him. I feel that they should have been more worried about his health also. They seemed to only care about the fact that he could not work in the beginning of the story.
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