The Metamorphosis- Critical Essay
Essay Preview: The Metamorphosis- Critical Essay
Report this essay
Frank Kafka is considered one of the most influential writers of all time. Helmut Richter would agree with this statement. Richter agreed that Kafka was a very prominent figure in world literature and was amazed by his mechanics and word usage. I feel that his essay is supportive of Kafkas writing, but also leaves out many important details in its brevity. Richter did not include Kafkas flaws and tendencies in his essay.
Helmut Richter analyzed the plot of The Metamorphosis in his essay. He depicts the main plot of the story to be Gregors failure at his work, which leads to his death. The climax of the story starts off early in the book. When Gregor wakes up one morning, he realizes that he has turned into a giant insect. Gregor was a salesman and his job required that he was very determined in his work. Kafka proves to us that Gregor did not do a good job as a salesman by transforming into a bug: a strong work force. Kafkas use of this metaphor stresses the poor work that Gregor does as a salesman.
Many people would argue that Kafka reflects his personal life in The Metamorphosis. These people would describe it as an autobiographical work. Kafkas parents were very similar to that of Gregor. He was born into a wealthy family and his father was an overbearing man. His mother was a very nice woman, as Gregors was in the novel, but she often took the side of his father. The striking resemblance of the families is that of Gregors sister. Kafkas sister, like Gregors sister Grete, was the only person in his family that was supportive of him and that he was close to. Helmut Richter admired the self-depiction that Kafka included in The Metamorhosis.
Richter discusses the main theme of The Metamorhosis as change. He feels that Gregors entire family, not just Gregor, undergo a metamorphosis. When Gregor turns into an insect, the life of everyone in his family is deeply changed. Gregors family often takes the work that he does for them for granted. Gregors father found himself in some trouble with his business and Gregor was forced to help support the family. The unappreciative, lazy family is greatly changed when Gregor undergoes his metamorphosis in the climax of the story. Gregors family soon realizes that they all of their lives will be much harder with Gregor as an insect.
The most obvious metamorphosis is that of Gregor. Throughout his entire life, Gregor has let other people make his decisions for him. The physical metamorphosis that he