Questions About The Metamorphosis

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Answered Questions (30)

Is there an official theory about the real meaning of this book ? Has F. Kafka ever talked about it ?

Marie I'll try to answer too, because Franz is also from Czech where he lived but wrote his pieces in German.
Franz was a very depressed individual and his …moreI'll try to answer too, because Franz is also from Czech where he lived but wrote his pieces in German.
Franz was a very depressed individual and his childhood was hard, somehow it shows how he really felt in this book. His father had very high expectations from him and beat him a lot if he did a little mistake both physically and mentally. But it didn't mirror his life fully, he did it to break free from the world he lived but always put pieces of himself into the books. You can actually see how he felt smaller and smaller only by looking at the names of the characters. In this book he named the character as "Gregor Samsa", in the Trial his character is only named as "Josef K." and in The Castle the character is only a "K.".
Franz also destroyed a lot of his work already and publishers knew that the work would never be as Franz meant it to be and you can only guess what he meant by the words he wrote.
He was also very shy and he wanted to run away every time someone got close to him. He craved attention and romance, but he couldn't do it because his confidence was destroyed and everytime he ran. But sometimes he couldn't, like the big bug couldn't open the door and leave, he was trapped with the family he knew he disappointed. (less)

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Can someone tell me the reasons why this book is named The Metamorphosis? What are the reasons behind this name? I really need it and I wanna know why.

Annemary Noble Metamorphosis was first written by Ovid; it's about the changing of gods, demi-gods and heroes. Kaffka (as I know) wanted to show the 'modern' changin…moreMetamorphosis was first written by Ovid; it's about the changing of gods, demi-gods and heroes. Kaffka (as I know) wanted to show the 'modern' changing of people: if one becomes useless his family will not care about him (same things may happen to old and sick people as well). (less)

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Did this book and other books about life's absurdity contribute to my suicide attempt while in college?

Jarrett R. I'm not a psychologist by any means, but works of extensionalism can raise uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. If you find these works hard to proces…moreI'm not a psychologist by any means, but works of extensionalism can raise uncomfortable feelings and thoughts. If you find these works hard to process it may be best to avoid them. They are never "feel good" and will never raise your spirit after reading. People deal with processing these conflicting emotions in different ways. For some its positive. For me it send me into a depressive state for a few days but I get over it. I don't feel I get anything out of it but it like watching a horror movie even though being scared is an emotion most of us would prefer to avoid it is still entertaining.
If its not entertaining for you, avoid writing that question existence like the plague.
Find writings that bring you joy and happiness. If reading books on life's absurdity got you into this state of mind before, perhaps reading books about life wonders and other's who have lived amazing lives may have the opposite effect.
I truly hope you are in a better state of mind than you where before and wish you nothing but the best. (less)

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Why is this considered a classic? I mean, I didn't hate the book, but can't see why people like it so much? Am I missing some hidden symbolism?

Jarrett R. I believe its a story of how Kafka seen his life playing out. The family mirrors Kafka's own real life family, A mom, dad, brother and sister all livi…moreI believe its a story of how Kafka seen his life playing out. The family mirrors Kafka's own real life family, A mom, dad, brother and sister all living together. Their attitudes are from Gregore(Kafka's) view. A violent father, a reserved but silently caring mom, and a loving, caring and friendly sister who is the last to give up hope for her brother. The story ask a lot of uncomfortable questions.
What would happen in a capitalistic society if you where the "bread winner" then can no longer provide? What if this is because you went through "something?" What if that "something" was so strange no one could help? What if no one wanted to help?
Kafka takes it to the point where "What if it was best for you to curl into a ball and die?" That's the goal i seen him working towards in the writing, Its also worth noting that the life of his family improves after Gregore's death.
The writing is a true product of severe depression. However, it is an important piece of literature because the realistic aspect of the story. The death of one man supporting 3 people and himself may not financially ruin them but allow them to prosper in a way that would not have been possible without that persons death truly shows that no matter how important your life or your work may be to you and so many people, losing you may be the best thing to ever happen to so may people that you care about.
With that said, Who's life has any meaning? Who's life is important? Is life important?
A great piece of extensional should raise all these questions; often with uncomfortable answers.
That's a lot to digest, but to answer your question about the meaning of the book its worth noting this isn't a fable with a wise lesson in some virtue to take from it. Kafka was basically going for your life is meaningless, my life is meaningless, and sometimes the best thing you can do is curl into a ball and die so that others can be free of your burden. His goal was to make you experience this "better off dead" scenario through the protagonist. Maybe so the reader feels his pain, maybe because he was a twist individual, maybe because he thought it was an unexplored plot and that's what writers do. Your guess is as good as anyone else.
Its also worth noting that one can argue (and many others have) that the "moral" is that capitalism is bad and creates empty, dull, meaningless relationships that all revolve around money. Family and coworkers are all the social interactions Gegore has and they all just want him to work and provide for them. Once he can not do that he is useless to them. If your looking for a moral this is the closest thing you're going to find.(less)

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Probably a silly question but different versions have different lengths: 44 pages to 201 pages, why? Which one should I read?

Katey The actual story is about 44 pages long. The additional pages are likely the inclusion of multiple speculators thoughts on the piece. My copy has mult…moreThe actual story is about 44 pages long. The additional pages are likely the inclusion of multiple speculators thoughts on the piece. My copy has multiple theories included as to the meaning of the piece.

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