Kafka's Metamorphosis?

Question

I have an essay to write...but this story really didnt make much sense to me and in reading the critical essays written by critics they bring up the opinion that this story had some form of sexual undertones in it. could anyone give me some interpretations of this story. it would be great!

Answer 1

"As with all of Kafka's works, The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations; in fact, Stanley Corngold's book, The Commentator's Despair, lists over 130 interpretations. Most obvious are themes relating to society's treatment of those who are different. Other themes include the loneliness of being cut off and the desperate and unrealistic hopes that such isolation brings.

Some also feel the book deals with the absurdity of human existence, leading some literary critics to associate it with existentialism or absurdism. It is also possible to apply Freudian and other forms of literary criticism to the novella."

That's what wikipedia says about it... I had to read that in high school, and I don't know if I would have liked it anyway, but my teacher ruined it for me. We had to write an essay on what disease we thought the bug guy had. That doesn't even make any sense since the story obviously isn't literal... but I hope that link helps out some...

Answer 2

As F. W. says, Kafka´s works "have always lead
and will always lead to a great range of interpretations.

His Metamorphosis can be read as a story
focusing :
- on his relationship with his father (p.e.look at the way the
father forces his "bug -son " back into his room )
and other members of his family (the way his sister
looks after him ): a freudian interpretation may
come into play here, since the family constellation does
influence the development of your own sexual identity
(on a autobiographical and anthropological level )
- on sociocritical aspects (look at p.e. Samsa´s working
conditions)
- of course on the topic of "detachment" or solitude
and its consequences dealt with in an abstract way,

- some expression of EXISTENTIALISM and THE ABSURD



You may have guessed that the various interpretative
layers are inherent in his "Metamorphosis",
depending on how one argues and how much you have
read and know about the era of the work, the author etc ...,
which makes it a piece of art, and even more so by
your "weighing " the various layers underlying Kafka´s work.

Have fun working on your interpretation.

Answer 3

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka First revealed in 1915, the Metamorphosis is per chance the finest artwork of a good author. The e book tells the tale of Gregor Samsa, a vacationing salesman who slaves away at an unfulfilling pastime, suffering to help his dad and mom who're too old and feeble to artwork and his sister who's too youthful to artwork. yet, at the same time as he awakes to locate himself transmogrified into an excellent and repulsive insect, Gregor with out delay looses each and every thing. that's the tale of Gregor and his relations, and how they deal with his replace.

Answer 4

It's a highly symbolic story with many interpretations, It is exploring the transformation of the individual. The world has always beckoned Gregor Samsa to open the door and come out and he, a traveling salesman, has never done so.. his surroundings have always changed daily, in hotels etc while travelling, and at first he refuses to accept that he has changed overnight into an insect. he has alays worked to support his family, the only bread winner and it is a metaphor for original sin that he is paying for other people's burdens to gain his own spiritualy freedom.mainly it is a story of society's treatment of those who are "different", lonliness of seperateness, being cutt off from society and the desperate hopes that brings..it is also seen as an homage to absurdism and existentialism....

Answer 5

The Metamorphosis is a story of dehumanization, both in the literal and symbolic sense. Samsa has become nothing more than a paycheck to his family and a machine to his boss. When taken into context of World War I, and the senseless dehumanizing killing, it makes a bit more sense.

Answer 6

Please read "Letter to Father" by Kafka, to learn more of his life, past, trauma...

Then read Metamorphosis, using a note book, for each page write ONE line as to what is the main thought on that page.
(this way you can quickly find a spot later as well as quickly write a synopsis)

There is piles of stuff in that story!!!