Motif of metamorphosis in the novel by F. Kafka “Transformation”
I scream… but who will help,
So that my soul does not die?
N. Gumilev
“Transformation”, in my opinion, is one of the most terrible works of world literature and the most famous short story by Franz Kafka.
From the very beginning, we expect that the main conflict of the novel will be connected with the metamorphosis that occurs with the characters, and this expectation is fully justified: “Waking up one morning after a restless sleep, Gregor Zamza discovered that he was in his bed turned into a terrible insect” . This fantastic change in the appearance of the protagonist is only an artistic device, against which other artistic metamorphoses develop, but not so much with Gregor as with his surroundings, his closest people, the outside world.
Turning into a big terrible beetle, Gregor Zamza preserved the human soul, inside he remained a person who, in this terrible situation, needed support and understanding for no one else.
Reading the novel, you begin to understand that beneath the outer shell of the beetle Gregor lies a kind and sensitive heart, a pure and responsive soul. Realizing the feelings that he causes in his relatives, Gregor tries to help them, almost does not leave the room, so as not to frighten his mother, hides under the bed when his sister cleans the room. But the behavior and attitude of the family every day becomes more insulting,
Metamorphoses that occur with the main character and his family are reflected in the change in the appearance of Gregor’s room – a symbol of his inner world and the attitude of his family to him. So, from the young man’s room, which was presented before us at the beginning of the story, all things are gradually being carried out, including those infinitely expensive for the owner, despite his protest. And at the end of the story in front of us – a dirty, uncomfortable lair, a dump of unnecessary things.
Kafka’s tragic world-view is reflected in the death of the hero, which comes largely from the realization of his uselessness, loneliness, the understanding that he is only a burden and a hindrance. The hostile world does not spare the beetle-man, but the worst thing is that the surrounding people are devoid of the human heart and soul, and their usual decorous appearance is just a mask.
This novel helped me to think not only about the tragedy of Gregor Zamza, but also in a different way to look at my relationships with others, to rethink many of my actions.
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