Like Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Illych,” Kafka’s short story “The Metamorphosis,” is short on action but long on thought provoking ideas. The most exciting part of the story happens to take place in the first line of the story. That being said, I guess I am supposed to have reached an age where I should enjoy these types of stories more. While that isn’t to say that I did not enjoy the novel, I still wish something a little exciting could have happened. One thing that is clear is that Kafka put a lot of his feelings about humanity into this book.
The similarities between “The Metamorphosis” and Kafka’s life are definitely noteworthy. Both Gregor and Franz had overbearing fathers, weak mothers, sisters who eventually betrayed their brother, and jobs which they disliked but endured for the sake of their respective families. Kafka suffered from depression and this gave him a bleak outlook on humanity which is expressed throughout the novel. It seems as if no matter what Gregor does for his family, it is not enough. For five years he has been busting his chops in order to pay back some loans taken out by his family even though he does not really like his job. His hard work allows for his father to sit around all day, for his mother to hire a maid, and for his sister to do mostly anything that pleases her. As long as Gregor was making some money his family had no problems with him. The minute he turns into a bug, forcing the others to work they quickly forget about all of his contributions. Kafka’s bleak view on human relationships is quite evident: you are only valued as long as you are of some use. Within a matter of weeks, the family forgets Gregor’s years of hard work just because they are all forced to find work. They become disgruntled because now they have to provide for themselves and Gregor even though he hardly takes up any resources.
Kafka’s story also brings up another important point that humanity revolves around money. In the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Gregor does not enjoy his job, yet he continues to do so in order to pay the bills his family’s lifestyle accumulates. In fact one of Kafka’s main points of disgust was that he felt that writing could not provide enough income to live a comfortable life. After Gregor’s metamorphosis the whole family is forced to take on jobs and their views on each other versus Gregor grows in relation to the amount of money they make compared to him. Nevertheless, the money the rest of Gregor’s family earns still isn’t enough and they are forced to take a subservient position in order to make ends meet. Gregor is forced to sacrifice his own life in order to show his family that there is more to life than just money. Only then does his family take time to step back and realize what is really important in life.
Kafka’s short story raises some interesting points in relation to human bonds and people’s obsession with money. In fact these issues are still apparent today. Money drives the American economy, often putting us into bad situations. Another example is how politicians make promises to millions of people, which they renege the minute they get into power. After writing this blog and expressing some of my idea’s the only major question that still remains is how Gregor’s father pierce a tough exoskeleton with an apple. With a live arm like that, I’m sure the Yankees wouldn’t mind giving him a try.
(608)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ilych and the greedy, self-serving Russian culture
I just want to start off by saying that “The Death of Ivan Ilych” was quite a long story. The author could have cut out about ten pages and still have given the same message, as nothing really happens for most of the story except for Ilych lying down and either complaining about his life or coming to the understanding that his life he lived was unfulfilling. That being said, I believe Tolstoy includes some cultural criticism which can not be overlooked. While most of my peers like to continually bash Ilych, I don’t blame him as much as I do the society of which he is apart of.
Ilych displays a trait, which is found in everyone of the bourgeois culture of Russia: self-interest. While that does not mean that people do not need to look out for themselves, Ilych takes it too far. Just like everyone else, his whole life is consumed with trying to get into the upper class society. An example of this is how he tries to decorate his house as do the upper class (a task he truly believes he succeeds in), only to be slammed by the narrator for making a house similar to most other houses. In his effort to become unique he becomes just like everyone else. In the process, he loses sight of the importance of human relationships. As Ilych sits on his deathbed he comes to the realization that he does not have any true friends, and most of his closest “friends” and family are only looking for ways they will gain from his death. For example, each friend thinks of how their life will be better once Ilych is finally dead, and his wife’s main concern is how to milk the most amount of money out of her husband’s death.
The sad part about this whole ordeal is that Ilych would not come to this conclusion without the help of his only true companion. Every time thoughts on his relationships come up, he pushes them aside until he meets Gerasim. Ironically, the only person who understands and empathizes with Ivan is a servant from the lower classes. While the rest of his family and friends try to stay away from him or act in a superficial manner, Gerasim actually listens to and tries to comfort Ivan. Through Gerasim’s feelings and sacrifices, Ilych is able to see what he has been missing his whole life.
Ivan Ilych is not entirely to blame for his problems. The culture in which he grew up in prompted a change in his ideas as can be seen when the narrator claims “all the enthusiasms of childhood and youth passed without leaving much trace on him…” (287). Indeed, Ilych’s fondest memories are from his childhood and he really cannot find much to love in his adult life. This suggests that Russia’s problems at that time went deeper than just one man. Tolstoy despised the attitudes of a new generation of materialistic, self-centered Russians, which was probably the reason why he fled that type of lifestyle to go live out in the country. Tolstoy is left with no choice but to voice his displeasure through the use of his artistic gifts.
(536)
Ilych displays a trait, which is found in everyone of the bourgeois culture of Russia: self-interest. While that does not mean that people do not need to look out for themselves, Ilych takes it too far. Just like everyone else, his whole life is consumed with trying to get into the upper class society. An example of this is how he tries to decorate his house as do the upper class (a task he truly believes he succeeds in), only to be slammed by the narrator for making a house similar to most other houses. In his effort to become unique he becomes just like everyone else. In the process, he loses sight of the importance of human relationships. As Ilych sits on his deathbed he comes to the realization that he does not have any true friends, and most of his closest “friends” and family are only looking for ways they will gain from his death. For example, each friend thinks of how their life will be better once Ilych is finally dead, and his wife’s main concern is how to milk the most amount of money out of her husband’s death.
The sad part about this whole ordeal is that Ilych would not come to this conclusion without the help of his only true companion. Every time thoughts on his relationships come up, he pushes them aside until he meets Gerasim. Ironically, the only person who understands and empathizes with Ivan is a servant from the lower classes. While the rest of his family and friends try to stay away from him or act in a superficial manner, Gerasim actually listens to and tries to comfort Ivan. Through Gerasim’s feelings and sacrifices, Ilych is able to see what he has been missing his whole life.
Ivan Ilych is not entirely to blame for his problems. The culture in which he grew up in prompted a change in his ideas as can be seen when the narrator claims “all the enthusiasms of childhood and youth passed without leaving much trace on him…” (287). Indeed, Ilych’s fondest memories are from his childhood and he really cannot find much to love in his adult life. This suggests that Russia’s problems at that time went deeper than just one man. Tolstoy despised the attitudes of a new generation of materialistic, self-centered Russians, which was probably the reason why he fled that type of lifestyle to go live out in the country. Tolstoy is left with no choice but to voice his displeasure through the use of his artistic gifts.
(536)
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