A review by read_impact
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

5.0

BOOK NOTES:

Gregor turned into insect - allegory of illness
Family shocked by appearance
Late for work - supports family after family went bankrupt in business and in debt to employer
Gregor is tired or work routine
Given bland food which tastes disgusting but eats scraps happily
Wanted to send sister to music college
Father has saved money - Gregor could have stopped work a while back - but still happy it’s there
Furniture linked to ability to recover
Gregor is isolated, alienated and hurt when he tries to help or interact with family at first
He goes from breadwinner to burden
Gregor even hides under couch not to scare sister
He liked dark spaces
His sister who initially cares for him, wants him gone an inconvenience
Father and sister come to despise him but mother thinks he is fundamentally the same
The family take on extra jobs to compensate for him not working
Being a non-earner in an economically struggling family can put pressure
Lack of direct communication and listening behind doors suggests hard to face each other and situation
He is stored with junk, becomes worthless once not earning
Disease can affect whole family
Disease affects dignity
If he could just understand us - Dad thinks some of his son is left
If Gregor was there, he would have left on his own accord and know we remember him with respect - sister
Once Gregor dies, family’s burden is lifted and they are happy
There is sympathy and relief
Sister, marriage prospects


Theme of alienation is central
Metaporphosis of family and sister as well