Metamorphosis Transition of Family Relations in \"The

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Transition of family relations in "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka: an analysis of the path from disintegration to integration of the Samsa family

In 19th century Western literature, Franz Kafka is known for his explication and interpretation of life by subsisting to psychoanalytical analysis in creating his characters in his literary works. In a period where Sigmund Freud and Karl Marx's ideologies dominate and prevail in the society, Kafka ranks as one of the most contemplative writers confronting issues self-discovery and -- realization through literature.

"The Metamorphosis," a short story by Kafka, discusses the theme of the protagonist's path towards self-discovery and -- realization. Through the character of Gregor Samsa, Kafka reflects how his discovery and realization of his true self led to his further disintegration from his family, but paradoxically, has also strengthened family relations between his mother, father, and sister. That is, just as Gregor's self-realization leads to his isolation from his family, his isolation marks the pivotal point wherein the Samsa family (without Gregor) found meaning and unity among themselves as a family.

In this paper, the researcher argues that Gregor's self-discovery has become an event that allowed his family members to reflect on their true feelings and attitude towards their son and family in general. It can be said that "The Metamorphosis" illustrates that the lack of communication between Gregor and his family led to beneficial effects, resulting to the unity of the family to alienate him. In effect, lack of communication has only adversely affected Gregor and helped promote unity and understanding for the rest of the Samsa family.

Kafka's symbolic approach to depicting Gregor's character in "Metamorphosis" illustrates how, prior to his metamorphosis to being an animal, there is evidence of lack of communication already between Gregor and his parents. As a hardworking individual, Kafka makes his readers realize that his parents took him for granted, despite his industry and thoughtfulness for his family: " ... even though Gregor subsequently earned so much money that he was enabled to shoulder the expenses of the entire family ... They had grown used to it ... they accepted the money gratefully ... But no particularly warm feelings were generated any longer" (29). This passage demonstrates how Gregor is merely a part of the family who has to accomplish a responsibility that his parents consider to be imperative for sons like Gregor. His industry and thoughtfulness meant nothing to his parents, except perhaps for the worth or value of the money he brings in for them.

Indeed, as he metamorphosed to become a hideous creature, the parents' true regard for Gregor surfaced. As they gradually overcome the shock of Gregor's metamorphosis, they had also gradually forgotten about him, centering their attention in earning a living to compensate for the sudden loss of financial support from Gregor. Kafka elucidates these points through Gregor's thoughts in the story, stating that, " ... Gregor realized that the lack of all direct human communication, together with the monotonous life in the midst of the family, must have confused his mind in the course of two months ... " (34). This realization has, in truth, been extended to include his family, wherein his lack of ability to communicate with his parents and sister led Gregor's mother to perceive him as another 'living thing,' not her son who had dutifully accomplished his responsibilities for his parents. These series of events in the story contributed to Gregor's further isolation from his family: lack of human communication and commonality with his family (he as an animal, and they, as human beings) led to his alienation and eventually, disintegration from the Samsa family.

Gregor's death marked the pivotal point wherein his family have become stronger, and in fact, liberated from the fact that Gregor was there to become a burden for them. The author depicts this sudden 'liberation' of the Samsa family from Gregor's father's exclamation that "... now we can thank God" after being informed that his son was dead (50).