In 1915, the author Franz Kafka published the novel The Metamorphosis to the public. The story follows a man named Gregor Samsa, a salesman who is unexplainably turned into a giant insect. On the outside, the story seems odd, almost “silly” in some people’s eyes, but this couldn’t be more wrong. The Metamorphosis is actually a story about isolation, inanity, responsibility, and especially existentialism.
Overview
When Gregor became an insect, the transformation initially horrifies his family, though this shock was temporary and soon wore off. Slowly, his family begins to resent Gregor, seeing him as a burden since he cannot provide for his family. Emaan Khan states that “The moment Gregor was unable to give anything of worth to his family, they resented him. This shows their true colors and also shows how people will stop liking you the moment you can’t give anything to them.” Since Gregor could no longer give anything of worth to his family anymore, they stopped caring for him and isolated him. This neglect from his family eventually leads to his sad, but expected, death.
Is it worth reading?
In my opinion, it is 100% worth reading. It isn’t a very long book, and was quite fulfilling once I took the time to really think about what the meaning behind the book was. The story follows a simple, yet very well executed way to explain dehumanization and human worth. Kafka takes a simple concept and makes it into a horrifying, yet depressing story. It explains a huge societal problem, which Emaan Khan reflects upon by saying: “People will only like you if you please them. It shows how some people are very focused on themselves and that people have to make sure that they rely on the right individuals.”
Originally, I didn’t understand the hype over this book, it seemed too simple. When I first started reading it, I thought it was going to be another boring wanna-be philosopher book. Yet once I finished, I remember just sitting at my desk and thinking about how relatable the book was. It really did make me think for a good moment, and I finally understood why people said the book “altered their brain chemistry”.
Overall, if you are looking for a short, but simple book that might make you stop and think, I think that The Metamorphosis would be a great pick. I also think that this book would be very relatable for many, as it dives into self-worth, which many people struggle with. It’s very thought out, but not too complex. It would definitely be a good book if you’re interested in learning simple philosophy.