The Metamorphosis Main Text
Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka
Translated by David Wyllie
I
One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found himself
transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-like back, and if he
lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches
into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able to cover it and seemed ready to slide...
Read The Metamorphosis Main Text
The Metamorphosis Summary
Background
Franz Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung) in 1912, and it was first published in 1915. The inspiration for this work came from Kafka’s personal life, filled with sorrow and inner conflict. In particular, his strained relationship with his father and his experiences of alienation in modern urban life became the central foundation of the novella. His only close bond was with h...
Expand The Metamorphosis Summary
The Metamorphosis Theme
Themes
Alienation and Loneliness: The most important theme in the novella is alienation. After Gregor Samsa transforms into an insect, he becomes separated not only from his family but also from society. Once, he had been the family’s main breadwinner, someone everyone relied upon. After his transformation, he is hidden away, locked in his room. No one talks to him anymore. Even his beloved siste...
Expand The Metamorphosis Theme
The Metamorphosis Character
Major Characters
Gregor Samsa: The central character of the novella. A traveling salesman (commercial traveler) who, one morning, suddenly transforms into a monstrous insect. Although he was the family’s main breadwinner, after his transformation, he became useless in the eyes of both family and society. His character symbolizes modern man’s alienation, self-sacrifice, helplessness, and dehumaniz...
Expand The Metamorphosis Character
The Metamorphosis Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Irony: Irony occurs when the expected outcome and the actual situation are completely opposite. In the case of Gregor Samsa, the irony lies in the fact that he sacrificed his own dreams for years and worked tirelessly for his family. He labored day and night to support everyone. But when he became helpless, it was his family who rejected him. Even in his death, they did not mou...
Expand The Metamorphosis Literary Device
The Metamorphosis Quotations
Quotes
“Oh, God… what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen!” – (The Metamorphosis – Gregor Samsa, Part I)
Explanation (English): Gregor feels trapped in his job as a salesman. His work is full of stress, pressure, and no joy. It shows his early suffering even before his transformation.
“We have to try and get rid of it.” – (The Metamorphosis – Grete Samsa, Part II)
Explanation (English): Gr...
Expand The Metamorphosis Quotations
Notes (16)
- What Obstacles Does Gregor Face After Turning Into an Insect?
- How did Gregor die? How does Kafka project his alienation in “The Metamorphosis?”
- How Does Gregor Entertain Himself?
- What was the Predicament Faced by Mr. Samsa Immediately After Gregor's Transformation?
- How was Gregor treated when all the members of his family were forced to work?
- What is the significance of Gregor's metamorphosis into an insect
- Bring out the tragic and comic elements in “The Metamorphosis.”
- Is Kafka in his “Metamorphosis” cynical? Give reasons for your answer.
- Can you explain Gregor Samsa’s relationship with the members of his family before and after the change?
- The Metamorphosis Brief Questions
- How is Gregor's metamorphosis similar to Grete's, and how does it differ?
- Comment on the comic and crime elements in “The Metamorphosis.”
- How has Gregor's attitude towards his family changed?
- How far does the transformation of Gregor's personality affect you?
- Gregor Samsa is presented as a tragic character in “The Metamorphosis.” Do you agree?
- Write an essay bringing out Gregor Samsa’s identity crisis as you find in Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis.