Critical Essay on Frank Kafka's Metamorphosis

Introduction

The book of Frank Kafka's, "Metamorphosis," presents a protagonist by the name of Gregor Samsa who happens to be a salesperson and is under constant travelling. The manner in which other subsequent events unfold about his transformation to a giant qualifies him as an unrealistic character in the book. His character analysis can also be related to other realistic and plausible events that form the rest of the work and contribute to the general meaning of the book. For instance, in the beginning, while travelling, he wakes up only to find himself transformed into 'monstrous vermin'. The transformation made Gregor be under the care of Grete for the part of the text to take care of their young siblings as well as to protect the parents. As a way of reaping maximum benefits from the proclaimed sister, Gregor consistently tries to avoid any close connection with the young sister as a form hiding his identity. Constantly he avoided the sister's direction by being inside, a way of avoiding revelation to the world.

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It is unrealistic for a man to wake up in the morning and assume a different body, like the case of Gregor. I assume that the unrealism of the character may be related to other plausible of realistic elements of the financial constraints that faced the protagonist family. An example of the elements may be deduced on money and financial situation of Gregor's family. Another issue which justifies the case is noted where Gregor laid in his bed while having thoughts running through his mind about waking up and supporting the family. He (Gregor), therefore, explains the financial need of his family and the need for supporting them with his travelling job of being a salesperson. The case depicts an unrealistic situation where the biggest handicap of the protagonist's transformation is based on the concern of taking over parental responsibility for the parents. The parents are equally concerned about the person who would meet their needs in the absence of Gregor. In most cases, the worry should appear the least on their list, but it takes a leading position hence bringing a plausible comparison to the normal events of life as well as playing a role in bringing out the entire meaning of the book.

With the days continuing to pass and Gregor not having the ability to continue with his work, he realizes how difficult it is for his family to survive. The only thing he can do is stay awake for long hours wishing that his situation would change and acquire the ability to assist a family which at one point depended on him. Even as he anchors such kind of thoughts, his immediate environment began to change with the siblings and the parents beginning to show an attitude of resentment towards him. He relates the attitude shown towards him with his inability to work and become the useful person the family once knew. The scenario may seem unrealistic since the family members once loved the character, however, there is a great relation of the unfolding not only to other plausible elements in the book but also in real life events. In most cases, people who are productive are loved and assisted by the society in their times of need, however, in the event the situation changes; people begin to walk away leaving the individual to suffer.

In the case of Gregor, the attitude directed towards him appeared somewhat detrimental and became upset based on the struggles and sufferings he underwent to provide for the family which had now abandoned him and his needs. We can, therefore, argue that the plot made by Franz Kafka seemed strikingly unrealistic even though it connected with most of the realistic elements encountered in the daily lives of people. The realism is on the money. The serious struggle between Gregor and the family is brought about by the lack of money. The love which existed before Gregor's transformation was due to the existence of money. Money thus exists as that which finally gives away the hate between the family and the protagonist coupled with the subsequent cause of death.

Nonetheless, an explanation on how the incident or character is related to more realistic of plausible elements in the rest of the work may also be seen through the kind of relationship shared between the protagonist and his father. They rarely go along, and in most cases, he refers to him (father) by his actual names. The father also appears to be unkind and distant due to his failure in providing for the family and lack of sympathy towards his dying son. He, instead, became violent after Gregor had undergone through the process of metamorphosis and gave priority to rescuing his innocent wife and daughter. The explained relates with other plausible, realistic elements in the book like the familial hierarchy which was correctly assumed immediately after the death of Gregor. It is like the death of Gregor was meant to ensure that the positions which had been lost by the family members are rightfully assumed. These accounts equally contribute to the meaning of Franz Kafka's work as a whole.

The work is centralized towards change with the protagonist taking the lead; he changes from a human being to a large insect. The situation makes him unproductive and not able to provide for the family. The subsequent events which have been explained based on the relation between the character (Gregor) and other realistic of plausible elements in the rest of the work may be explained based on how money determine the human relationship, the family duties, freedom and escapism, and alienation to mention but a few. As the story began, Gregor was the family's slave due to the ultimate dependence bestowed upon him. At the time, he was loved by everyone until he transformed into a big insect. The explanation pertaining to family duty is aligned to the fact that the protagonist held family responsibility in the toughest way possible by remaining committed to the job he did not like. Other cases like alienation contribute to the explanation of the family failing to show gratitude when the situation of Gregor worsens, a scenario which leads to his death.

Conclusion

In summary, the meaning of the entire work of Franz Kafka is based on how the society exists. When one is able or in a relatively stable position, like that of Gregor, everyone will always come closer, but when things change, people begin to alienate themselves. The work has, therefore, successfully achieved the literary role of mirroring the society and offering lessons which may help readers become more knowledgeable on life issues.