The video I selected is a small scene from the Metamorphosis. It was mainly performed by Janusz Madej at the Department of Acting Amsterdam (2005). This simple little show mainly presents the process that Gregor has just transformed into a giant insect and then discovered by his family and his manager. Unlike other stage performances of the same drama, this performance uses almost no props but languages and bodies to convey the original content to the audience. Among them, we can feel more about the characters’ inner activities and emotional changes.
The burden of life is heavy for Gregor and has to be carried. At the beginning of the novel, there are many monologues about the protagonist complaining about the exhaustion of life, such as: “O God,” he thought, “what a demanding job I’ve chosen! Day in, day out on the road. The stresses of trade are much greater than the work going on at head office,” and “If I didn’t hold back for my parents’ sake, I would’ve quit ages ago.” After everyone saw him become vermin, the frail mother was immediately stunned, the manager was scared away, and the father showed a wicked look and drove him back to the room.
There are three kinds of “metamorphism” in the story: Firstly, the physiological metamorphism, which is that Gregor suddenly found himself turning into a giant insect in the morning. Secondly, behind the physiological metamorphism is deeper psychological metamorphism. Gregor is the pillar and the money-making machine of the family and the company. The character’s inner need was unconcerned. He is extremely eager to get rid of the stresses of life. The third is the metamorphism of various interpersonal relationships, that is after he became some vermin, the relationship with the society and his family was utterly subverted, and Gregor was able to see the darkest side of the relationship between people. The whole family’s attitude towards Gregor is also changing as his role in the family changes; until his death, the family was relieved and asked to leave for an outing.
If the author does not intend to make Gregor become a disgusting and unacceptable thing but become a kitten, a puppy, a flower and grass, the alienation of his family and the indifference of society will not be completely exposed. It is absurd that people transform into a giant insect, but the family’s reaction to this incident is real. In real life, when a person becomes a terminally ill patient from the family’s pillar, his family will initially be very concerned and very sympathetic. However, when the patient gradually loses all kinds of abilities, when the economic burden is getting heavier, the family’s boredom and complaints will naturally arise. Moreover, when the patient becomes the biggest obstacle to the family’s new life, the family will even be happy for his disappearance. The main idea of Kafka’s works and the literature of the Absurd is to reflect the alienation and absurdity of the relationship between man and society. These cannot but be of deep reflection.