Kafka Convert

It is hard to read a story without a happy ending. Well, Metamorphosis had one, but not the one that I was expecting. The “good guy” was turned into a cockroach. I read on and on trying to catch something that he did to deserve this punishment, but I got nothing to vindicate my original thoughts. Most children are taught at young ages the fundamentals of religion whichever one they practice, and learn that if you do something bad you are punished. Kafka throws us all for a loop when he brings up the point that this horrible thing might have happened for no reason, which may also prove there being no higher power to prevent something like this from happening. Religion exists for those to qualm their fears of the unknown, and to protect them from the unknown which is usually bad since what is not known cannot possible be prepared for. No one can prepare for being turned into a bug. This scares most readers since, unlike most stories, there is no vindication for the bad guy, and it leaves the reader thinking who the bad guy is, or even if possibly he wants to say that being a “good guy” is not a good thing. Nice guys finish last apparently.

Does his family have a point when they say that he is no longer himself when turned into a cockroach? Has he already died if he can no longer contribute anything material or vocal anymore? This story is very existentialist. What is love in this story? Is there love? Is there a higher power such as karma that takes care of rewarding the good, and punishing the bad? These questions are asked daily, and this is the first time that I have read any author say that there might not be anything that controls karma. It was an exaggerated situation that constitutes this story; however, it might have been the only way to get the issue across. This story starts out so strangely, that it makes you think about the underlying point being made without actually knowing that you actually are. He’s a bug, not a dog, he is cold and unapproachable, and he becomes unworthy of love. This mirrors Kafka’s depression, or any other’s experience with it. Is a person worthless when they no longer are contributing to society? Subliminal messages have been sent out to inflict on us all that this is a possibility. Are people just dead weights if they are homeless, old, or depressed? When people are depressed, they are lost, and the family in this story renders him motionless. He is left alone; he is tossed out, and becomes a burden. The family is glad to be rid of him. This may be an accurate depiction of how people react towards people who are depressed, or perhaps how a depressed person perceives others as acting.

At first, I found this story to be just odd, but after having read it, I moved on to possible explanations for why the nice guy got punished which lead me to think of larger issues that were hidden in the stories plot. This is a result of most things that I read. If I do not buzz through stories with pleasure, I usually read them then work on what they mean and then they too become favorites. An acquired taste rather than a common favorite such as with pizza verses falafel and hummus. I can say that I have learned to like Kafka and Tolstoy just through writing a blog. (594)