Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis Setting
Most of the story takes place in Gregor's room, as after his 'metamorphosis' he is not allowed "out and about" with the rest of the family. The other members of his family spend most of their time in the dining room/living area of the house. That's the place. As far as time goes, it was published in 1915, and there is no other mention of when it is set, so it's around then.
(Aaron Carpenter, Setting) Characters Gregor Samsa- Main character in the work. Gregor is the only one in his family of four with a job and he supports them completely. He is a traveling salesman and hates his job, but is very dedicated to it and can be said to be a great worker for the firm he works for. One morning Gregor wakes up and is "metamorphosized" into a bug. Due to this transformation, he loses his job and his family turns his back on him. He stays a bug for the rest of his life, where his only entertainment is staying in his room. One evening Gregor the bug gets in a fight with his father, who lodges an apple in Gregor's back. From then on, Gregor's health diminished and he dies as a bug. Grete Samsa- Gregor's sister. Her and Gregor have a great relationship while Gregor is human and in the beginning times of when he was a bug, but their relationship quickly diminshes. Grete serves as Gregor's caretaker and cleans his room and serves him food, but again she stops doing this eventually. Also, she plays the violin very well and wants to go to the conservatory to play and learn more. Gregor, before he turned into a bug, was going to surprise her on Christmas Eve and announce that she would be going to the conservatory with the money he saved up. Of course, he ended up not being able to do this. Grete becomes beautiful by the end of the work and starts helping the family by working for money. Mr. Samsa- Gregor and Grete's father. He treats Gregor with disgust after his transformation. He doesn't work when Gregor is around because he is too "old," but after Gregor is transformed, Mr. Samsa returns to work again to support his family. He is the one who fights Gregor and lodges the apple in his back. Mrs. Samsa- Gregor and Grete's sister. She is a housewife, and inititally refuses to see Gregor's transformed state. Eventually she gets over this and goes to look at the transformed Gregor. The state of her being a mother but Gregor being a disgusting bug creates conflict in her.
(Marcus Hattar, Major Characters) Gregor's Boss- He is only ever mentioned in the novella, but I think that he deserves mentioning because he could easily be one of the reasons for Gregor's transformation on the figurative level. He employs Gregor as a traveling salesman and, from remarks made by Gregor, does not seem to be a vary nice man. He sits on his desk above everyone looking down at them and seems to run his business like a slave driver. He had accused Gregor of embezzling money, and it would seem implied that the man makes Gregor feel almost like a bug. The maid- The original keeper of the Samsa house, she begged them to fire her after Gregor's transformation. The charwoman- The cleaning lady that the Samsas hired after letting their maid go. She is the only one who treats Gregor decently/doesn't seem to mind the way he looks. She will even talk to him from time to time. She is the one who finds is body after he dies. The three tenants- The Samsas decide to rent out their rooms to three men. They are obsessed with cleanliness and, one evening while listening to Greta play the violin, they spot Gregor and leave without paying. Gregor’s Supervisor (The office manager): He is the one that was willing to talk his boss into giving Gregor another chance for being late to the train. He was shocked to see Gregor as a bug and he ran out without even talking to Gregor. (Aaron Carpenter, Minor Characters) Point of View The Metamorphosis is written from the third person omniscient point of view. This means that the narrator is not a character in the novel, but knows (and shares) what all of the characters are thinking at all times, making for an entirely unbiased telling of the story-not skewed in any way, shape, or form. The third person omniscient point of view lets the reader decide who their favorite character is (as opposed to the author deciding for them) and lets the reader decide for whom he/she empathizes the most.
(Aaron Carpenter, Point of View) Possible Meanings of the Work (Themes) with Explanations
Excessive self-sacrifice can destroy one's mental well being. The loss of sanity oft leads to destruction of one's personal/social life. If a person only works for others, as Gregor only works for his family and boss, then the aspects of their personal life will crumble, as Gregor's did. Whether or not he was a bug doesn't matter for this theme. He either became insane and destroyed his relationships, or literally became a bug and withered away due to his inability to cope.
(Aaron Carpenter, Themes) 5 Important Quotations with Explanations “He must go,” cried Gregor’s sister, “that’s the only solution, Father. You must just try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we’ve believed it for so long is the root of all our trouble.” This is a significant turning/ending point in the novel. It is the final stage of his family’s grieving process. (Aaron Carpenter, Quote Explained) Issues of Style Kafka's writing style is a bit difficult to comprehend due to the abstract side of his story. The Metamorphosis coupled with the literal meaning of his words which makes it difficult to be seen in a light other than the straight literal passage. Kafka's style of writing has been explained to be a form of modernism as well as magic realism. His portfolio of finished works are only novellas and short stories, none of his full length novels were ever completed. The themes of alienation and persecution are across many of his works most likely due to Kafka's own personal history. (Aaron Carpenter, Style) Symbolism The insect- The insect, or Gregor, symbolizes many things. It could symbolize how Gregor's father made him feel insignificant and trapped, just how Gregor feels. It could also symbolize the meaningless life Gregor leads, working all the time and having no social life. This is evident when he turns into a bug and nothing in life really changes for anyone except him. Furniture- The furniture in Gregor's room is his only link to his human past. When it is removed, his final link to his human life is removed as well.
Picture of Gregor as a lieutenant- Symbolizes a time when Gregor's life was fulfilled and had meaning. ' Apple- Symbolizes the rift in the family due to Gregor's transformation. His father put it there while fighting and no one removed it, as no one really cared. The number 3?- 3 doors, 3 family members, 3 lodgers, 3 parts of the story....
(Marcus Hattar, Symbolism) Historical Significance The Metamorphosis was written in 1915, the year after the start of WWI. Gregor’s transformation into an unrecognizable bug probably represented the transformation soldiers underwent when they wore the gas masks that were used during the war. The masks DID give people a bug-like appearance, and there IS something inhumane about gassing other humans while protecting yourself. (Aaron Carpenter, Historical Significance) About the Author
Franz Kakfa is one of the most influential writers to come out of the twentieth century. A word named after him, Kafkaesque, illustrates his bizarre and nightmarish qualities in his writing. He was born in Prague, Austria-Hungary in 1883, into a German speaking Jewish family. His father and him had a tumultuous relationship growing up, and it eventually had an impact on his writing. After his childhood, Kafka went to law school and became a lawyer. He worked as a lawyer and in an insurance company, but hated his work because it took up too much time and was meaningless. Kafka was insecure throughout his life and is said to have dealt with social anxiety and depression, as well as a mild form of anorexia. He feared people would find him generally repulsive. Also, Kafka was an anarchist and attended various anarchist meetings. He felt unattached from his religion and family later in his life, and tuberculosis killed him in 1924 at age 40, in the city of Vienna, Republic of Austria.
(Marcus Hattar, About the Author)
Setting
Most of the story takes place in Gregor's room, as after his 'metamorphosis' he is not allowed "out and about" with the rest of the family. The other members of his family spend most of their time in the dining room/living area of the house. That's the place. As far as time goes, it was published in 1915, and there is no other mention of when it is set, so it's around then.
(Aaron Carpenter, Setting)
Characters
Gregor Samsa- Main character in the work. Gregor is the only one in his family of four with a job and he supports them completely. He is a traveling salesman and hates his job, but is very dedicated to it and can be said to be a great worker for the firm he works for. One morning Gregor wakes up and is "metamorphosized" into a bug. Due to this transformation, he loses his job and his family turns his back on him. He stays a bug for the rest of his life, where his only entertainment is staying in his room. One evening Gregor the bug gets in a fight with his father, who lodges an apple in Gregor's back. From then on, Gregor's health diminished and he dies as a bug.
Grete Samsa- Gregor's sister. Her and Gregor have a great relationship while Gregor is human and in the beginning times of when he was a bug, but their relationship quickly diminshes. Grete serves as Gregor's caretaker and cleans his room and serves him food, but again she stops doing this eventually. Also, she plays the violin very well and wants to go to the conservatory to play and learn more. Gregor, before he turned into a bug, was going to surprise her on Christmas Eve and announce that she would be going to the conservatory with the money he saved up. Of course, he ended up not being able to do this. Grete becomes beautiful by the end of the work and starts helping the family by working for money.
Mr. Samsa- Gregor and Grete's father. He treats Gregor with disgust after his transformation. He doesn't work when Gregor is around because he is too "old," but after Gregor is transformed, Mr. Samsa returns to work again to support his family. He is the one who fights Gregor and lodges the apple in his back.
Mrs. Samsa- Gregor and Grete's sister. She is a housewife, and inititally refuses to see Gregor's transformed state. Eventually she gets over this and goes to look at the transformed Gregor. The state of her being a mother but Gregor being a disgusting bug creates conflict in her.
(Marcus Hattar, Major Characters)
Gregor's Boss- He is only ever mentioned in the novella, but I think that he deserves mentioning because he could easily be one of the reasons for Gregor's transformation on the figurative level. He employs Gregor as a traveling salesman and, from remarks made by Gregor, does not seem to be a vary nice man. He sits on his desk above everyone looking down at them and seems to run his business like a slave driver. He had accused Gregor of embezzling money, and it would seem implied that the man makes Gregor feel almost like a bug.
The maid- The original keeper of the Samsa house, she begged them to fire her after Gregor's transformation.
The charwoman- The cleaning lady that the Samsas hired after letting their maid go. She is the only one who treats Gregor decently/doesn't seem to mind the way he looks. She will even talk to him from time to time. She is the one who finds is body after he dies.
The three tenants- The Samsas decide to rent out their rooms to three men. They are obsessed with cleanliness and, one evening while listening to Greta play the violin, they spot Gregor and leave without paying.
Gregor’s Supervisor (The office manager): He is the one that was willing to talk his boss into giving Gregor another chance for being late to the train. He was shocked to see Gregor as a bug and he ran out without even talking to Gregor.
(Aaron Carpenter, Minor Characters)
Point of View
The Metamorphosis is written from the third person omniscient point of view. This means that the narrator is not a character in the novel, but knows (and shares) what all of the characters are thinking at all times, making for an entirely unbiased telling of the story-not skewed in any way, shape, or form. The third person omniscient point of view lets the reader decide who their favorite character is (as opposed to the author deciding for them) and lets the reader decide for whom he/she empathizes the most.
(Aaron Carpenter, Point of View)
Possible Meanings of the Work (Themes) with Explanations
Excessive self-sacrifice can destroy one's mental well being. The loss of sanity oft leads to destruction of one's personal/social life. If a person only works for others, as Gregor only works for his family and boss, then the aspects of their personal life will crumble, as Gregor's did. Whether or not he was a bug doesn't matter for this theme. He either became insane and destroyed his relationships, or literally became a bug and withered away due to his inability to cope.
(Aaron Carpenter, Themes)
5 Important Quotations with Explanations
“He must go,” cried Gregor’s sister, “that’s the only solution, Father. You must just try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we’ve believed it for so long is the root of all our trouble.”
This is a significant turning/ending point in the novel. It is the final stage of his family’s grieving process.
(Aaron Carpenter, Quote Explained)
Issues of Style
Kafka's writing style is a bit difficult to comprehend due to the abstract side of his story. The Metamorphosis coupled with the literal meaning of his words which makes it difficult to be seen in a light other than the straight literal passage. Kafka's style of writing has been explained to be a form of modernism as well as magic realism. His portfolio of finished works are only novellas and short stories, none of his full length novels were ever completed. The themes of alienation and persecution are across many of his works most likely due to Kafka's own personal history.
(Aaron Carpenter, Style)
Symbolism
The insect- The insect, or Gregor, symbolizes many things. It could symbolize how Gregor's father made him feel insignificant and trapped, just how Gregor feels. It could also symbolize the meaningless life Gregor leads, working all the time and having no social life. This is evident when he turns into a bug and nothing in life really changes for anyone except him.
Furniture- The furniture in Gregor's room is his only link to his human past. When it is removed, his final link to his human life is removed as well.
Picture of Gregor as a lieutenant- Symbolizes a time when Gregor's life was fulfilled and had meaning. '
Apple- Symbolizes the rift in the family due to Gregor's transformation. His father put it there while fighting and no one removed it, as no one really cared.
The number 3?- 3 doors, 3 family members, 3 lodgers, 3 parts of the story....
(Marcus Hattar, Symbolism)
Historical Significance
The Metamorphosis was written in 1915, the year after the start of WWI. Gregor’s transformation into an unrecognizable bug probably represented the transformation soldiers underwent when they wore the gas masks that were used during the war. The masks DID give people a bug-like appearance, and there IS something inhumane about gassing other humans while protecting yourself.
(Aaron Carpenter, Historical Significance)
About the Author
Franz Kakfa is one of the most influential writers to come out of the twentieth century. A word named after him, Kafkaesque, illustrates his bizarre and nightmarish qualities in his writing. He was born in Prague, Austria-Hungary in 1883, into a German speaking Jewish family. His father and him had a tumultuous relationship growing up, and it eventually had an impact on his writing. After his childhood, Kafka went to law school and became a lawyer. He worked as a lawyer and in an insurance company, but hated his work because it took up too much time and was meaningless. Kafka was insecure throughout his life and is said to have dealt with social anxiety and depression, as well as a mild form of anorexia. He feared people would find him generally repulsive. Also, Kafka was an anarchist and attended various anarchist meetings. He felt unattached from his religion and family later in his life, and tuberculosis killed him in 1924 at age 40, in the city of Vienna, Republic of Austria.
(Marcus Hattar, About the Author)