Heavy Decisions

Humans are independent beings, yet dependent on things like the environment, financial situations, and social status. Therefore, when the surroundings change one must change as well because of that dependency. Humans are forced to evolve and to adapt to their new surroundings. The modernist movement came at the turn of the century, affecting all of the writers of that age including Franz Kafka. The common modernist idea concerned the alienating affects of modern society. The modernist movement focused on seeing the world in a new way and reach new possibilities. Kafka's characters in The Metamorphosis did that exact thing. In The Metamorphosis, Kafka's main character Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning only to discover he has transformed into a giant bug. In the beginning of most books of that time the author would have given an introduction of the characters, but in this story Kafka plunged straight into the action. The ideas of existentialism, vampirism, and modernism all go hand in hand and contribute to understanding the parable that is The Metamorphosis. 

The Metamorphosis is an astonishing piece of literature created by Kafka. It tells the story of Gregor Samsa, the traveling salesman, and how he works hard day after day in hopes of paying off his parents' debt. Existentialism is complex and its definition alone could be contemplated for hours on end, but the basics of it is that it is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of choice, suggesting we only exist if we make our own decisions independently of outside influence. "Once I've got together the money to pay off my parents' debt to him--that should take another five or six years--I'll do it for sure. Then I'll make my big break. In any case, right now I have to get up. My train leaves at five o'clock" (Kafka 1). From an existential point of view, Gregor is choosing his own path through life by planning out what he is going to do and when, yet he IS still paying off his parents' debt completely; something that was not his responsibility, yet it became his. This idea of existentialism forms in the beginning of The Metamorphosis with Gregor's transformation into a giant bug. Why would such a selfless, loving person be cursed with the transformation of human to insect? "...what a demanding job I've chosen! Day in, day out...if I didn't hold back for my parents' sake, I'd have quit ages ago. I would've gone to the boss and told him just what I think from the bottom of my heart" (Kafka 1). This is where existentialism comes into play; one could say that if Gregor hadn't been so easily pushed around and stuck up for himself in the first place, he wouldn't have ended up with a job he hated and become so isolated from society/his family. It is arguable, however, because Gregor did, in fact, choose his job, whether that be under the influence of his horrendous family or not (which he does admit if it had not been for his parents' sake he most certainly would have quit long ago). "And out of her delicacy of feeling, since she knew that Gregor would not eat in front of her, she went away very quickly and even turned the key in the lock, so that Gregor could now know that he might make himself as comfortable as he wished" (Kafka 10). Gregor's lack of identity causes him to be oblivious and numb to the things and people around him; he ironically mistakes Grete's fear and disgust of him to be thoughtfulness and love. The underlying theme of the story is in an existential view; any given choice will govern the later course of a person's life and that that person has the ultimate will over making their own choices. 

In Thomas C. Foster's Nice to Eat With You and Nice to Eat You, the importance and symbolism of communion is emphasized.  Communion is essentially time spent together or moments shared that create a bond within people, no matter what the event taking place might be, ranging from smoking weed to having a simple meal together. "Here's a thing to remember about of all kinds: in the real world, breaking bread is an act of sharing and peace, since if you're breaking bread you're not breaking heads" (Foster 8). The act of having a meal with somebody, whether that be in your home or theirs, is so intimate and personal that a bond is formed or an existing bond is made stronger. As Foster mentions, one wouldn't accept an invitation to dinner from somebody they did not care for. "Without thinking any more about how they might be able to give Gregor special pleasure, the sister very quickly kicked some food or other, whatever she felt like, into his room..." (Kafka 20). In The Metamorphosis, it is evident that there is no communion, no sharing of food within the Samsa household, most certainly not with the bug that is Gregor. At the beginning, Gregor feels appreciation towards his sister for feeding him, for keeping him alive and well. His oblivion and love for her blinds him from the fact that she does not want anything to do with him and his disgusted by his presence. "...he was in no mood to worry about his family. He was filled with sheer anger over the wretched care he was getting...streaks of dirt ran along the walls...the extensive dampness made Gregor sick, and he lay spread out, embittered and immobile, on the couch...the mother's punishment did not fail to materialize...Gregor hissed at all this..." (Kafka 20). Eventually he became angry that he was being fed garbage and tensions increased with his temper rising. The act of communion is the Samsa household is nowhere to be found; they parents of Gregor even allow complete strangers, renters, to sit and eat in the place where the family used to share food.

All eating in literature, however, is not necessarily friendly. Vampires in literature are essentially beings who feed off others in order to grow stronger themselves, as well as the idea of communion.  "...it struck him how easy all this would be if someone were to come to his aid...Now, quite apart from the fact that the doors were locked, should he really call out for help? In spite of all his distress, he was unable to suppress a smile at this idea" (Kafka 3). In The Metamorphosis Gregor's family never appreciates his hard work and dedication towards them, and take him for granted. Gregor is blinded by his love for his family, his compassion and selflessness. "...his father gave him one really strong liberating push from behind, and he scurried, bleeding severely, far into the interior of his room. The door was slammed shut with the cane, and then finally it was quiet" (Kafka 9). The father of Gregor has no sympathy for him even after his metamorphosis; he only seems concerned about the family's financial situation on the day of Gregor's transformation. The only two instances in which he interacts with Gregor directly is in a violent manner; once to beat Gregor back into his room, isolating him once again and the other to literally and metaphorically stab him in the back by throwing fruit at him, effectively killing him. "...it struck Mr. and Mrs. Samsa, almost at the same moment, as they looked at their daughter, who was getting more animated all the time, how she had blossomed recently, in spite of all the troubles which had made her cheeks pale, into a beautiful and voluptuous young woman" (Kafka 27). In earlier times of literature the topic of sex was too unapproachable yet interesting to many people, so the concept of vampirism in literature was used. The parents of Gregor and Grete Samsa, after having used Gregor to his maximum capacity and killed him off, now notice how their daughter is maturing and will soon be able to satisfy their rather greedy needs involving a monetary income and care for themselves. There has been a link from sex to evil for many people ever since the serpent seduced Eve, therefore making vampirism an effective form of translating sexual acts in literature into different forms. 

All in all, life is based solely off decisions made. The people whom one chooses to be with will be the cause of your rise or the cause of your fall, and the wiser ones will choose the genuine companions instead of allowing manipulative people to feed off their pain and misery, such as Gregor's father fed off his pain and wound of the apple stabbed in his back. By studying and understanding the concepts of existentialism, modernism, and vampirism, the humor and, in effect, parable of Kafka can be understood by the reader. Gregor's life after his metamorphosis was richly laced with symbolism of these ideas, and the humor of Kafka visible and audible to the trained eye and ear.