first draft
Chris Kelman
Paragraph 2.
When analyzing Ruth V. Gross’ take on Kafka’s story Metamorphosis, I found her depiction of Gregor’s character mistaken - firstly her assumption that he transforms into an ‘enormous vermin in order to avoid having to face the unpleasantness of going to his job’. While arguably this is an accurate description of Gregor’s feeling towards his occupation, it is important to mention how committed he is to providing a good life for his family - this is a situation placed on his shoulders out of force, not choice; if anything he is startled and oppressed by his predicament:-
"Gregor was dismayed when he heard his own...still without doubt his own voice from before, but with a little admixture of an irrepressible squeaking’.(p.90)
The use of vermin connotes disease and something, which is invaluable and irrelevant - it is dirt or bacteria, which can be infectious and makes human life vulnerable. Gregor, though, feels he is a vital and dynamic piece of his family’s well-being and wealth, perhaps it could be argued that his feelings change after his transformation, when his family show little compassion towards him; certainly beforehand, though, he feels important and that he has a responsibility to not only his family, but his employer. This is alluded to in the same page, which Gross quotes from, and while it is clear that Gregor dislikes and at worst resents working for someone so intolerable of his staff - Gregor is very much aware that his parents owe his boss money, and that until this is covered he feels accountable and the main transparent figure to changing the situation.
"I haven’t quite given up hope; once I’ve got the money together to pay back what my parents owe him...I’ll do it, no question" (p.89)
Gross is further mistaken when she refers to Gregor’s earlier life as ‘mind deadening’, This is very strong term to use, and keeping in line with her earlier references to vermin and his ‘unpleasantness’, she does Gregor’s past a disservice in the sense, that he felt part of the family - one of societies many norms is the qualm of being accepted, the feeling of belonging and the precarious warmth, which accompanies it. Gregor felt accepted, it is the position he finds himself in, which makes him question his very importance, it is the sense that morally he has done nothing wrong, but yet, he has found himself in a situation where he has dissolved into the background as an observer, a secondary figure with no primary importance.
"He was permitted to see the family at their lit up table...these were not now the lively conversations of earlier times" (p.127)
Gross argues that Gregor’s inability to continue coping with what is expected of him, ultimately leads to his demoralising and deteriorating demise, and while he shows sign of fatigue, and could do with ‘proper rest’; at no point does he contemplate giving up, Gregor comes across as a determined individual - to the point, that even when his state is worsening, he still finds consolation in the workload he has given, and wishes he could give more. This is not the sign of a character who is prepared to be a sacrifice, but more one who is sacrificed by fate. Gregor does struggle with his workload, but, this is a common occurrence in society, even today - it would appear that the general consensus suggests that most people would rather not work. While a nice ideology, it is not realistic. Gregor knows this, he also felt that his work, would one day reimburse itself on his immediate life, and that of his family, this is the mindset he manages to accustom himself to throughout the story.
"Whatever I do I mustn’t loaf around in bed," (p.91)
Gross romanticises the image of the chief clerk, hailing him as a ‘tyrant’. The boss is very much portrayed as the ‘bad guy’, and gives a clear distinction between light and dark (good and evil) within the context, interestingly enough, though - every character in Metamorphosis has their vice. The family are held accountable for how reckless and selfish they are in allowing Gregor to become so exhausted, and even Gregor himself, his vice being that he is selfless to the point, where it no longer benefits himself or the people around him. While the family are condemned within the text, and Gregor is arguably punished by his radical physical evaporation, they are never exposed to the same extent as the boss is, neither in satire nor word choice:-
"Did the chief clerk need to come in person...Gregor’s delinquency could only be entrusted to the seniority and trained intelligence of a chief clerk?" (p.94)
The boss is a beneficiary of the capitalist system - Gross, however, places him in the same list as Hitler and Mussolini, by the use of ‘tyrant’. A stark exaggeration, when what makes the boss dislikeable is the feeling of not being able to relate nor identify with his character. We see the boss from Gregor’s perspective, and, because of this, it is very easy to feel sympathy for his plight, while showing contempt towards the boss for his contribution towards Gregor’s situation.
Lastly Gross suggests that Gregor craves ‘family honour and respect’, Gregor already feels he has this respect; Gregor served in the army, as a lieutenant - there is no greater honour or respect earned than representing your country in battle.
"A photograph of Gregor from his period in the army...the posture and uniform demanding respect" (p.101)
Kafka efficiently introduced this alternative light on Gregor’s past and much like the way he managed to provide a clear thesis of light and dark on the boss’ character, he also manages to create it with Gregor. By showing how relevant Gregor once was in society, it hardens the blow and increases the empathy from the reader shown towards his character as we witness his collapse.
Bibliography:
Franz Kafka (2007). Metamorphosis & other stories. Suffolk: Penguin. 85-147
This isn't due in for another week, but it looked slightly trickier than my politics essay, which is also due in at the end of next week. I quite enjoyed the work on Kafka, his work was pretty cool to analyze, though, this particular question asked us to disagree with a critics review on Metamorphosis, though, I probably agreed with everything she said. It was quite fun, though. Hopefully I can get the first pass out the way, it just seems like the next three weeks is a mountain of deadlines!