Existentialism in "The Metamorphosis"
1. Identity and Self-Perception
Existentialism often deals with the search for meaning and the individual's struggle to define themselves. Gregor Samsa’s transformation forces him to confront his identity beyond his societal role as a worker and family provider. His physical metamorphosis prompts a deep existential crisis, questioning the essence of his humanity.
- Quote: “Was he an animal, that music could move him so? He felt he was being shown the way to the unknown nourishment he had been yearning for.” This moment highlights Gregor’s struggle with his new identity, where his human consciousness and insect body are at odds, leading to a profound sense of dislocation and confusion.
2. Alienation and Isolation
Gregor’s transformation exacerbates his existing feelings of alienation from his family and society. Existentialist thought often explores themes of isolation, depicting individuals as fundamentally alone in their search for meaning and connection.
- Quote: “He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone.” This reflects Gregor’s realization of his dehumanized status in his job, even before his physical transformation. His alienation is intensified post-transformation, as he becomes physically and emotionally isolated from those around him.
3. Freedom and Responsibility
Existentialism posits that individuals are free to make their own choices, but with this freedom comes the burden of responsibility. Gregor’s transformation can be seen as a metaphor for the arbitrary and absurd nature of existence, which forces him to confront his own freedom and the meaning of his life.
- Quote: “What if he went back to sleep for a while and forgot all this nonsense?” Initially, Gregor’s response to his transformation is to avoid it, reflecting a reluctance to face the existential reality of his new condition. His eventual acceptance of his fate highlights the tension between freedom and responsibility in existential thought.
Absurdism in "The Metamorphosis"
1. The Absurdity of Existence
Absurdism, closely related to existentialism, deals with the conflict between humans’ desire to find inherent meaning in life and the indifferent, chaotic universe that offers none. Gregor’s transformation into an insect is an absurd event that defies logic and reason, emphasizing the irrational nature of existence.
- Quote: “When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.” This opening line sets the tone for the absurdity that pervades the novella. Gregor’s inexplicable transformation is a stark representation of the random and meaningless events that characterize absurdist philosophy.
2. The Absurdity of Social Expectations
Kafka critiques the absurdity of societal norms and expectations through Gregor’s life. The pressures of work and family obligations are depicted as meaningless in the face of his absurd transformation.
- Quote: “If I didn’t hold back for my parents’ sake, I’d have quit ages ago.” Gregor’s commitment to his job, despite its dehumanizing nature, underscores the absurdity of societal expectations. His transformation renders these obligations meaningless, highlighting the futility of adhering to societal norms in an absurd world.
3. Confrontation with Absurdity
Gregor’s eventual acceptance of his condition and his family’s reaction to it reflect the human confrontation with absurdity. The lack of any rational explanation or solution to Gregor’s plight forces him and his family to confront the inherent meaninglessness of their situation.
- Quote: “At that moment he had no time to worry about his family, he was filled with rage at the lack of care he had been shown.” Gregor’s feelings of rage and neglect highlight his confrontation with the absurdity of his situation. His family's pragmatic approach to his transformation—first trying to accommodate, then gradually rejecting him—mirrors the human struggle to find coherence in an absurd world.
Conclusion
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka is a profound exploration of existentialism and absurdism. Through Gregor Samsa’s surreal transformation and subsequent experiences, Kafka delves into themes of identity, alienation, freedom, and the absurdity of existence. The novella captures the essence of existential and absurdist thought, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of the human condition in a seemingly indifferent and chaotic universe. Kafka’s work remains a powerful commentary on the existential dilemmas and absurd realities faced by individuals in modern society.