The Metamorphosis- Franz Kafka

 I had longed to read Kafka since long. Whenever any writer was mentioned in any book or any article, I would keep him and his writing in my want-to-read-list. Kafka was one among them.

The Metamorphosis is an English translation for Kafka's Die Verwandlung in German. Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman, wakes up and finds out that he has turned into an insect. He being the breadwinner of his family worries about his family more than about himself and recalls his plans for his family. His family members hope for his recovery in the beginning but later give up on such hope and he becomes 'something' they want to get rid of. George complies their wish.

I took his transformation as a metaphor for being crippled and useless for the family. The way family percieved him in the beginning and at the end changes to a great extent. This made me think that we all are selfish and are bound to each other due to our self-interest. Gregor was much worried about his family when he realizes that he had transformed into an insect and can't go to work. However, the life of Samsa family goes on. In fact, they start pursuing their dream or wishes once they get rid of him. The sister feels more young, the house they were living in seems a bad choice which Gregor had made, they are able to take a stroll after months. Everything becomes okay. At this, I felt sorry for Gregor.  He could have rather lived his own life instead of being worried about everyone else in the family.

The Metaphor is a serious read. It is better to read it and have own interpretation and then go for it other interpretation. That way we can compare our way of thinking with others. The paintings mentioned in the novella to the family name, all have their significant meanings. You need to have knowledge of what he read and how he lived to get the exact idea of what he has written in the book.

He seemed to have a very different opinion about family. And this feeling he had was a hundred years ago.

‘I have always looked upon my parents as persecutors,’ he told Felice on 21 November 1912. ‘All parents want to do is drag one down to them, back to the old days from which one longs to free oneself and escape; they do it out of love, of course, and that’s what makes it so horrible.’

There are many translation and I got to read the one translated by Joyace Crick, who taught German at University College London for many years.  Crick however has mentioned Herr Samsa and Frau Samsa instead of Mr Samsa and Mrs Samsa. I didn't actually understand why she left it like in the original book. The book contained introduction and notes by Ritchie Robertson which are very much useful in understanding Kafka  and his works.

This is good book for serious readers. The next read from Kafka would be 'The Judgement' which he wrote in one sitting.