Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

Franz Kafka is considered by many to be one of the most prominent and influential writers of the twentieth century (Votteler 204). Many of his works, mostly short stories, met with critical acclaim only after his death in 1924. His stories usually present ? a grotesque vision of the world in which alienated, angst-ridden individuals seek to transcend their tormented condition? (204). One critic has referred to him as ?the classical painter of the estrangement of modern man? (Czermak 7). It is in Franz Kafka?s short story ?The Metamorphosis,? that we meet Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman that awakens one morning only to find himself in the unfortunate position of having been transformed into a giant insect. Despite this fact, Gregor preserves
Critic Heinz Politzer states that ?after the metamorphosis she is at first the only one to interpret it as Gregor?s, and not the family?s, misfortune and the first to master her horror and enter the insect?s room? (233). Previously a homebody with no special skills or talents, Gregor?s change has ?forced her out into the world of commerce? to help support the family (233). As her brother?s condition worsens, Grete becomes more and more independent and soon feels troubled by the insect?s existence (Magill, Masterplots
is one that has appeared in many of his other short stories. It is that of the role of the artist in society (Friedman 220). For example, as an insect, Gregor becomes especially sensitive to Grete?s violin playing. ?Gregor?s new sensitivity to music is a clear indication that [?The Metamorphosis?] may be read as the self-discovery of the artist? (Magill, Magill?s 1048). When he turned into an insect, whether voluntarily or not, Gregor became a non-conformist. For artists, as with Gregor, ?the danger?of nonconformity is that one may be misunderstood, mistreated, or entirely rejected? (1048). Early after his transformation Gregor is misunderstood by his family. At one point Grete wants to remove all the furniture from his room so he can crawl about more freely, when in fact, Gregor wants his furniture to remain so he can cling on to his human past. Once his family is able to support themselves, Gregor begins to get mistreated. No longer does his sister bring him proper things to eat. Finally, at the end of the story, Gregor is entirely rejected as Grete convinces Mr. and Mrs. Samsa that the insect needs to be gotten rid