https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiOgysKKBVE
Molly De Montaigne’s review video on “The Metamorphosis” intrigued me at first because of the video thumbnail. Molly looks very similar to a good friend of mine but that’s not relevant.
Molly points out the dream-like and surreal quality of this novella. What’s most surreal about “The Metamorphosis” is Gregor’s dedication to working in order to pay back his family debt. Upon his transformation into an insect, Gregor’s first and foremost concern was his early train. It is not his sore back nor is it his tiny legs that concerns him. It is his duty to catch his train and go to the office which he despises so much that is his first thought. The suspension of belief is almost amazing in this first part of “The Metamorphosis.” I also assumed that it was completely normal for Gregor to be so calm and apathetic to his beastly transformation. Frankly, my acceptance of Gregor’s determination to work is worrisome. I should not so easily normalize a workaholic lifestyle. A “work-life balance” was a popular phase that recruiters from companies loved to use to advertise their office environment. However, I’ve noticed that the Big 4 companies have started using phrases like “work-life mix” which may seem innocuous until you hear “work-life integration”. Corporate culture is really starting to ask for more from their employees.
Going back to my previous point on a workholic lifestyle, there’s such a thing as someone who could be called “married to their job” and then there are people who let their jobs drain them. Like in Bartelby, Kafka grants readers another perspective on corporate jobs. Bartelby depicts the repetitive and lifeless nature of jobs that are eventually overtaken by automation. While Bartelby’s job drains him of his vitality, Gregor remains a dedicated salesman who perseveres.
While Molly mentions Gregor’s desire to hold onto his humanity, I appreciate her thoughts on Gregor’s work most. Personally, I believe that Gregor’s story is an example of too much mindless dedication to his job. In the end, he was taken for granted and his family would’ve been fine without Gregor’s contribution to the family.