Frank Kafka's Metamorphosis

Have you ever read a book where the title left you completely perplexed? Authors pick the titles of their books with great care, taking into consideration both their target audience and, the content of their newly created masterpiece. The title usually reflects the general theme of the book and seeks to appeal to any probing eyes that may grace its humble cover. Metamorphosis, the translated title of one of Frank Kafkas books, is about a man who wakes up to find he has been transformed into an oversized beetle. Metamorphosis, literally translated from its mother language, Latin, means a change in physical form, structure, or substance, especially by supernatural means (Merriam-Webster). Metamorphosis can also be used to describe a gradual mental
The initial metamorphosis takes place while Gregor is sleeping and he awakes as a monstrous vermin (Kafka 259). Strangely, upon comprehension of this change in his physical state he seeks not to question the transformation, but turns his attention to the potential workday he will be missing, and proceeds to explain to the reader the pains of being a traveling salesman. He seems to be unaware of the seriousness of his situation as he becomes eager to see how todays fantasy [will] gradually fade away( 261), suggesting he lives one day at a time, looking forward to the end of each day and the fantasy that will fade away with it. In the beginning of the story there is little confidence and cheer to be found in Gregors life, much like the view outside of his bedroom window prior to Gregors mental metamorphosis. Things change as his role immediately goes from provider to useless pest. The family, specifically Grete, begins to neglect Gregor as they all get jobs so they may afford their home. Gregor takes up self-reflection to fill in the time he spends alone and in isolation. He begins to focus on the finer things in life, quite literally, as he becomes more and more nearsighted, and he [sees] things even a short distance away less and less distinctly (273). Despite this fact, Gregor starts to see things much more clearly (273). The outside world on the other side of his bedroom window also
Grete, Gregors younger sister undergoes immense changes as she tries to cope with the physical changes that are displayed by her brother. Upon the realization of Gregors changed physical state, Grete initially becomes his caretaker and organizes many activities regarding Gregors survival such as feeding him, cleaning his room, and reporting his current states to his parents. She finds a new niche thanks to the commotion caused by Gregors transformation, much to everyones approval. He often heard them say how much they appreciated his sisters work whereas until now they had been frequently annoyed with her because she had struck them as being a little useless (274). She seems to be maturing into a responsible, useful part of the family network while Gregor mere existence becomes worthless and troublesome as time goes on. She seems to be acting on her brothers behalf, even when she decides it is a good idea to not only [remove]the chest of drawers and the desk, which was all she was planning on removing at first but also the removal of all the furniture with the exception of the indispensible couch (276). The only reason the couch is indispensable is the result of Gregors habit of hiding beneath it whenever anyone enters the room. Unfortunately, his sister soon begins to neglect Gregor; she will not clean his room