Absurdity in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Absurdity in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

Absurdity as a fiction genre in literature that portrays characters is meaningless,
irreconcilable, and incongruous. Also, it entails elements of dark humor and satire. The
characters in absurd literature, like movies and novels, always struggle to find meaning and
purpose for their lives but their efforts are always futile. Absurdity is the central theme in the
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka as the industrious life of Gregor takes a different turn when he
changed to a giant insect.
When Gregor Samara wakes up one morning and finds that he has changed into a giant
cockroach, his life changes completely. Gregor is unable to move out of his bed to go to work.
He remembers his work as a cloth merchant and a traveling salesman and how his job entailed
constant dynamics in human relationships and is temporary. He thinks of quitting his job he
changes his mind because he is the sole breadwinner of his family and is also working hard to
pay his father's debt. Besides, his metamorphosis makes him to misunderstands the true intention
of other people furthermore, he is also misunderstood by other people.
Besides, Gregor has been absent to work without apology thus the chief clerk came to
check for him. He tries to communicate with both his family and the chief clerk but his voice and
language are incomprehensible. Note that, he has been hesitant to open the door since he woke
up despite being called by the chief clerk and his family several times. Therefore, he drags
himself on to open it. Upon seeing, Gregor's transformation, the chief clerk walks out of the
apartment leaving his family horrified (Johnson, 1993). Gregor's father moves him back to his
room. Note that, Gregor’s family is deprived of their financial stability, because of his sudden
incapacitation.

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He begins to accept his new lifestyle and makes several adjustments. First, he begins
crawling on the walls, ceiling, and floors. To provide him with more crawling space on the floor,
her sister Get removes some of his furniture however, Gregor dislikes it. To show his frustration,
he tries to save a portrait of a woman clad in fur not to be removed from the wall. His mother
faints when she sees him climbing the wall and both Get and Gregor rush to save her. However,
His situation worsens as a falling medicine bottle hits him in the face. His father comes back and
they have a fight which leaves Gregor wounded.
After the metamorphosis, his sister Gate becomes his caretaker. Initially, Gates's
relationship with his brother is very healthy however, as the situation worsens, the friendship
fades. For instance, initially, she cleaned his room and gave him food, but with time, she
becomes impatient with the routine and leaves the room in a disorganized state. Note that, she
decided to clean Gregor’s room when she became impatient of seen her mother cleaning the
room. indeed, she is disguised by Gregor as she could not enter the room before opening the
window. However, she was disgusted due to the awful smell in the room, which made her
abandon her intended action.
It is absurd, that after the metamorphosis, MR. Samsa is forced to go back to work to
provide financial support to his family. His attitude towards Gregor after transformation
deteriorates. He is disgusted and attacks and injures his son several times. Besides, Mrs. Samsa
portrays the picture of a loving mother, she wants to enter Gregor’s stuffy room even though she
is asthmatic. She sympathizes and fears for her son’s transformation.
In summary, it is absurd that the transformation of Gregor changes life forever. Her sister
becomes her caretaker, and her father works to replace him as the breadwinner.

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References

Johnson, S. (1993). Structural elements in Franz Kafka's the metamorphosis. Journal of Marital
and Family Therapy, 19(2), 149-157.