Hello. What is the symbolism of Kafka's Metamorphosis? In particular, what do you think the cockroach itself meant? When Samsa turned into a cockroach, what do you think that really symbolized? Lets really take this apart. I have my own opinions, of course, but I'm interestedin what your thoughts are on this subject
So, What do you think the cockroach symbolizes?
hopefully,
nacreous
please teach kindness to animals and respect for nature.
Kafka is incomparable. His metamorphosis is one such book it has no match. Kafka is a new starter and today he impresses many.
I like the way he wrote things very deeply and intensely. His style is unparalleled.
The book is totally symbolic and it is about how things happen in today's world and we are all in a whirlpool of modernity.
“Those who seek to satisfy the mind of man by hampering it with ceremonies and music and affecting charity and devotion have lost their original nature””
“If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! The mind of the sage, being in repose, becomes the mirror of the universe, the speculum of all creation.
Cockroach Beetle Vermin...ah which is the real thing LOL. Usually Beetle is the most common, some say cockroach, the original German apparently means "monstrous vermin"...
I don't think it is supposed to be an existing creature but rather an abstract symbol for something that inspires such emotions as fear, pity, disgust - pity to an extent, Kafka was not friendly with pity.Originally Posted by Psynema
I wrote a poem on a leaf and it blew away...
Do you think he really changed--Gregor--or did his family transform? Think about it; Gregor was always the same, other than his image. His family, however, changed their attitude toward him, and transformed altogether. That's what I think Kafka's 'hidden, yet not so hidden' meaning was.
his family didnt transform. from start to finish gregor was the suporting spine of the family. he was the only one who worked although everyone else seemed to be able to, yet they didnt. when he found himself in a situation in which he was tranformed into a cockroach, you dont know why and how that happened, he never questions or explains it, nor does the family, the only thought in gregor's mind and in his family's members mind is: "who is going to work now?"
his family slowly transformed him into a slave, and when he wasnt able to perform his imposed role, his family developed an intense despite towards him. no one ever gives him words of comprehension or love or care. they begin to abhorr him because he cannot support the family any longer. he doesnt seem to worry about himself either, his only thought is regarding the others.
so the symbolism of the metamorphosis is pretty clear and obvious.
he was already an insect. and as an insect, he was crushed and forgotten.
Hi nacreous,
It was a continuation of the bad dream. So maybe the whole story is like a dream. Only the author knows what the dream means to him. But we can guess.
The bug form horrified his family.... like maybe doing something incestuous with his sister, something that she went along with at first at some level -- feeding the thing (out of gratitude for the promise of violin lessons perhaps) -- but then had to fight against violently in order to free herself emotionally -- declaring it had to be killed, locked up, starved -- so that she could be ready to go out and be available for suitable courtship -- the climactic scene of the story.
But it, the horror might be anything that is not allowed to be discussed in polite society, or specifically on this forum where there are rules against that which is "obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violative of any laws..." It is the broad possibilities of the symbol that make it interesting reading. We see perhaps what we horrifies us in our own histories.
Last edited by bewellalso; 07-03-2009 at 09:08 PM.
Hi there. I'm currently teaching The Metamorphosis at a Christian school. I know that Kafka has said something to the effect of: "I understand the fall of mankind better than most" largely because of his extreme interest in his Jewish religion. Has anyone a thought about the symbolism behind the apple beating in chapter II?
Last edited by Camille Cooper; 09-01-2009 at 09:46 PM.
I have always seen the insect as a devistating symbol of low self-esteem and self-loathing. In Kafka's life, he had an extremely complex relationship with his father, and I think that plays a big part in his writings.
From another perspective, the insect is a symbol of our own confusion and despair with the absurdity of the world. We are born into the world under unchosen circumstances and we have to learn to accept our enviroment and adapt.
The Moments of Dominion
That happen on the Soul
And leave it with a Discontent
Too exquisite — to tell —
-Emily Dickinson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVW8GCnr9-I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckGIvr6WVw4
i think that the apple that gets stuck in him is like kafkas burden of his dad beating him and like his scar the would be there for his whole life and just be bottled up inside him forever
i think him being stuck in his room while he was turned into a "vermin" was like his life, slowly deteriorating and over time it gets worse and worse until one day when he tries to get out of it, his family ignores him and beats him with apples, and in the end they kill him. they cause him so much guild he just says screw it and stops eating and dies.
I agree with your assesment. It's like a cross to bear, or having the weight of the world on your back. If the apple represents Man's sinful nature, is Kafka saying that the sins of the father could kill the son?
Great post! You bring up an intersting question. First you say Gregor's family killed him; then you say he stopped eating and died, with sounds a lot like suicide. Was it murder, or suicide?
in the metamorphosis it kinda shows what Kafkas life was like. it shows how his father was obsessive and violent to him. his mother didn't really care much for him and how his sister was closest to him. as he would lie in his room doing nothing they all got sick of him and wanted to get rid of gregor.
Alex, is this you? If so...well done. You've joined the land of the literary thinking. If you wrote an autobiography of sorts about your family, what kind of animal would you likely become?
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