Relationships, Money, and Apples

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.

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