The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

This is a very sad and ironic story, but the video shows a very comical appearance. Take it seriously, What do you think when you become Gregor one day?Or when your family members become Gregor, what is your attitude?I think it is normal that Gregor family’s first reaction was to be afraid, but what is not normal is that when the family is getting poorer, Gregor is gradually being regarded as a “monster”, and they are very happy when Gregor died in the ending. This is a part of the video that is not shown,and it is the saddest part of what I feel. 

Then all three left the apartment together, something they had not done for months now, and took the electric tram into the open air outside the city. The car in which they were sitting by themselves was totally engulfed by the warm sun. They talked to each other, leaning back comfortably in their seats, about future prospects, and they discovered that on closer observation these were not at all bad, for all three had employment, about which they had not really questioned each other at all, which was extremely favorable and with especially promising prospects. The greatest improvement in their situation at this moment, of course, had to come from a change of dwelling. Now they wanted to rent an apartment smaller and cheaper but better situated and generally more practical than the present one, which Gregor had found. While they amused themselves in this way, it struck Mr. and Mrs. Samsa almost at the same moment how their daughter, who was getting more animated all the time, had blossomed recently, in spite of all the troubles which had made her cheeks pale, into a beautiful and voluptuous young woman. Growing more silent and almost unconsciously understanding each other in their glances, they thought that the time was now at hand to seek out a good honest man for her. And it was something of a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions when at the end of their journey the daughter first lifted herself up and stretched her young body.

Gregor’s family feels a great sense of relief after his dead, and they plan to have a trip and find a husband for Grete. We feel incredible but this situation often happens in real life. For example, a couple breaks up because the one has no money. Brotherhood kills each other because of their legacy. The aged become homeless people because of nobody are willing to take care of them. This is a money-oriented society. Regardless of family and friendship, money is really a test. Reality reveals the ugliness of human nature and does not change with the social form. As Marx described in the Communist Manifesto, “The bourgeoisie has torn away from the family its sentimental veil, and has reduced the family relation to a mere money relation.”