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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Die Verwandlung ist zwischendurch ein wenig langweilig (sorry). Der Brief an den Vater ist schon echt hart zu lesen und brutal ehrlich. Ich habe SO lange gebraucht um es endlich fertig zu lesen
“One morning, as Gregor Samsa woke from a fitful, dream-filled sleep, he found that he had changed into an enormous bedbug”
And so begins the sobering and incredibly sad tale “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka. While the premise on which this short story is based is quite fantastical, the trajectory that follows is somehow a very stark notion of humanity that actually leaves me quite sombre.
Gregor is not the only person in this story to undergo a metamorphosis although his is by far the most complete and sudden. His sister, Grete and his parents equally react to Gregor’s change although their responses are somewhat drawn out and by default a response to what Gregor’s unexpected transformation causes for them. I kind of want to cast Gregor’s family into the role of the villains, but somehow I can’t because I don’t know what I would do if I awoke one morning to find my son changed into a giant bedbug who subsequently could no longer communicate with me and whose transformation meant a complete life change for me. Obviously, having a bedbug for a son would mean a life change.
I think what stands out for me here is that not really ever once did anyone really try to empathise with Gregor. Not only would dealing with the unbelievable trauma of the physiological change, the emotional and mental anguish would be exponential in its impact. And as I type these words I can’t stop thinking that this is and has been reality for millions. Not the waking as a bedbug notion, but the overnight forever change that impacts livelihood in every conceivable way.
Despondent, depressed and dejected after months of no communication, monotony, no voice, agency, decision making capacity, Gregor gives up the will to live. Everything he once was is taken away from him. His family conclude they are better off without him. What choice is there but to breathe his last. I keep going to the parallels here... the metaphor of the metamorphosis deeply penetrates.
And so begins the sobering and incredibly sad tale “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka. While the premise on which this short story is based is quite fantastical, the trajectory that follows is somehow a very stark notion of humanity that actually leaves me quite sombre.
Gregor is not the only person in this story to undergo a metamorphosis although his is by far the most complete and sudden. His sister, Grete and his parents equally react to Gregor’s change although their responses are somewhat drawn out and by default a response to what Gregor’s unexpected transformation causes for them. I kind of want to cast Gregor’s family into the role of the villains, but somehow I can’t because I don’t know what I would do if I awoke one morning to find my son changed into a giant bedbug who subsequently could no longer communicate with me and whose transformation meant a complete life change for me. Obviously, having a bedbug for a son would mean a life change.
I think what stands out for me here is that not really ever once did anyone really try to empathise with Gregor. Not only would dealing with the unbelievable trauma of the physiological change, the emotional and mental anguish would be exponential in its impact. And as I type these words I can’t stop thinking that this is and has been reality for millions. Not the waking as a bedbug notion, but the overnight forever change that impacts livelihood in every conceivable way.
Despondent, depressed and dejected after months of no communication, monotony, no voice, agency, decision making capacity, Gregor gives up the will to live. Everything he once was is taken away from him. His family conclude they are better off without him. What choice is there but to breathe his last. I keep going to the parallels here... the metaphor of the metamorphosis deeply penetrates.
Kafka is certainly an interesting author. Simultaneously satirical and illogical, there’s something in his writing that makes the reader question mortality, connection, and the nature of man. This collection emphasizes his relationship with his father and how it impacted his writing, but Kafka can be interpreted in any other possible manner, just as a dream.
my first read from kafka and honestly im a bit disappointed. not sure if the translation is off or if i just don't gel with this writing style, but i found it to be dry and confusing.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My rating is based on the proportion of stories I enjoyed vs stories that were meh. I appreciated the translator’s notes at the end and Jason Baker’s introduction situating Kafka during his time and providing more context to his writing. (Highly recommend reading the stories first before the introduction).
Themes- bureaucracy, authority, capitalism, labor, how society treats people who are disabled, familial and parental relationships. The stories are bleak, bizarre, and most of the time, the characters aren’t able to escape their fate. Showcases the dark side of humanity. We “lose a little” of the Kafkaesque vibe when we attempt to interpret the stories as I think they’re meant to be open and unsatisfying, disturbing even. I think his stories gave me a window into the loneliness and emptiness he felt, growing up estranged from his family. That made me feel less alone.
Themes- bureaucracy, authority, capitalism, labor, how society treats people who are disabled, familial and parental relationships. The stories are bleak, bizarre, and most of the time, the characters aren’t able to escape their fate. Showcases the dark side of humanity. We “lose a little” of the Kafkaesque vibe when we attempt to interpret the stories as I think they’re meant to be open and unsatisfying, disturbing even. I think his stories gave me a window into the loneliness and emptiness he felt, growing up estranged from his family. That made me feel less alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Violence
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Rape
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated