The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: A Surrealistic Masterpiece
If you are looking for a short but powerful read that will challenge your perception of reality and humanity, you might want to check out The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. This novella, first published in 1915, is one of the most famous and influential works of modern literature. It tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The novella explores the degradation and transformative power of alienation, as Gregor struggles to adjust to his new condition and his family's reaction to it.
What is The Metamorphosis about?
A brief summary of the plot
The novella begins with Gregor's shocking discovery that he has turned into a monstrous vermin. He tries to get out of bed and go to work, but he realizes that he cannot move his body properly and that his voice has changed. His family and his boss, who come to check on him, are horrified by his appearance and cannot understand what he says. Gregor is locked in his room, where he gradually adapts to his insect-like instincts and preferences. He loses his appetite for human food and develops a taste for rotten scraps. He also enjoys crawling on the walls and ceiling and hiding under the furniture.
the metamorphosis kafka free download
Gregor's family, meanwhile, tries to cope with the situation and their financial difficulties. They are ashamed and disgusted by Gregor, who they consider a burden and a threat. They also have to deal with the social consequences of having a monstrous creature in their apartment. They take on three lodgers to earn some extra money, but they have to keep Gregor out of sight. Gregor's sister, Grete, who initially shows some sympathy and care for him, becomes more resentful and hostile as time goes by. She stops cleaning his room and feeding him properly. She also decides to remove his furniture, which Gregor objects to, as he still clings to his human memories and identity.
One night, Grete plays her violin for the lodgers in the living room. Gregor is deeply moved by the music and crawls out of his room to listen. He hopes to reconnect with his sister and his family, but they are appalled by his presence. The lodgers threaten to sue the family and leave the apartment. Gregor's father chases him back into his room and slams the door. Gregor realizes that he has become a burden and a source of misery for his family, and he wishes to die. He stops eating and breathing, and dies in his room.
The next morning, the charwoman who cleans the apartment finds Gregor's corpse and informs the family. They are relieved and happy that he is gone. They dismiss the lodgers and decide to move to a smaller and cheaper apartment. They also notice that Grete has grown into a beautiful and mature young woman, who attracts the attention of potential suitors. They plan to find her a good husband and start a new life.
The main themes and symbols of the novella
The Metamorphosis is rich in themes and symbols that reflect Kafka's complex and ambiguous view of the world. Some of the major themes are:
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka PDF
The Metamorphosis ebook free download
Read The Metamorphosis online for free
The Metamorphosis full text pdf
The Metamorphosis epub download
The Metamorphosis audiobook free
The Metamorphosis by Kafka summary
The Metamorphosis analysis pdf
The Metamorphosis sparknotes free
The Metamorphosis themes and symbols
The Metamorphosis quotes and explanations
The Metamorphosis essay topics
The Metamorphosis lesson plans pdf
The Metamorphosis project gutenberg
The Metamorphosis freeditorial
The Metamorphosis google docs pdf
The Metamorphosis translation by David Wyllie
The Metamorphosis original german text
The Metamorphosis illustrated edition pdf
The Metamorphosis graphic novel free download
The Metamorphosis movie free online
The Metamorphosis opera download
The Metamorphosis ballet video free
The Metamorphosis musical free mp3
The Metamorphosis rock song download
The Metamorphosis parody pdf
The Metamorphosis fanfiction free online
The Metamorphosis sequel pdf
The Metamorphosis prequel pdf
The Metamorphosis alternate ending pdf
The Metamorphosis modern adaptation pdf
The Metamorphosis short story collection pdf
The Metamorphosis companion book pdf
The Metamorphosis critical essays pdf
The Metamorphosis biography of Kafka pdf
The Metamorphosis influences and inspirations pdf
The Metamorphosis reviews and ratings pdf
The Metamorphosis trivia and facts pdf
The Metamorphosis crossword puzzle pdf
The Metamorphosis word search pdf
The Metamorphosis coloring pages pdf
The Metamorphosis bookmarks pdf
The Metamorphosis posters pdf
The Metamorphosis stickers pdf
The Metamorphosis t-shirts free shipping
The Metamorphosis mugs free shipping
The Metamorphosis magnets free shipping
The Metamorphosis keychains free shipping
The Metamorphosis pins free shipping
The absurdity of life: The novella depicts a random, chaotic, and irrational universe, where anything can happen without any explanation or justification. Gregor's transformation is never explained or resolved, nor does it have any apparent meaning or purpose. It is simply an absurd event that disrupts his normal life and exposes him to suffering and isolation.
The alienation of the individual: The novella portrays the loneliness and estrangement of the modern individual, who is trapped in a dehumanizing and oppressive society. Gregor is a victim of his work, his family, and his environment, which exploit him and deny him his dignity and freedom. He is also alienated from himself, as he loses his human identity and becomes a grotesque insect. He is unable to communicate with others or express his feelings and needs. He is rejected and neglected by his family, who treat him as an object and a nuisance.
The metamorphosis as a symbol of change: The novella uses the motif of metamorphosis as a metaphor for the changes that occur in life, both physical and psychological. Gregor's transformation is an extreme and shocking example of how a person can change drastically and unexpectedly, without any control or consent. It also represents the potential for growth and development, as well as decay and deterioration. Gregor's metamorphosis can be seen as a positive or a negative process, depending on how one interprets it.
Why is The Metamorphosis a classic of literature?
The influence of Kafka's life and times on his writing
One of the reasons why The Metamorphosis is considered a masterpiece of literature is because it reflects the personal and historical context of its author, Franz Kafka. Kafka was born in 1883 in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was a German-speaking Jew who lived in a multicultural and multilingual city, where he faced discrimination and assimilation pressures. He also had a difficult relationship with his father, who was a domineering and authoritarian figure. Kafka suffered from various physical and mental illnesses, which affected his self-esteem and confidence. He worked as an insurance clerk, but he had a passion for writing, which he pursued in his spare time. He never married or had children, and he died of tuberculosis in 1924 at the age of 40.
Kafka's life experiences influenced his writing style and themes, which are characterized by a sense of alienation, anxiety, absurdity, and existentialism. He explored the psychological and social aspects of human existence, as well as the metaphysical and religious questions that haunted him. He used surrealism, symbolism, irony, and dark humor to create stories that challenge the reader's expectations and logic. He also created characters that are complex, ambiguous, and relatable, who face dilemmas and conflicts that resonate with modern audiences.
The originality and relevance of Kafka's style and vision
Another reason why The Metamorphosis is regarded as a classic of literature is because it showcases Kafka's unique and innovative style and vision, which have influenced many writers and artists in different genres and media. Kafka's style is marked by simplicity, clarity, precision, and elegance. He uses plain language and realistic details to create vivid images and scenes that contrast with the fantastical and absurd elements of his stories. He also uses techniques such as repetition, variation, contrast, irony, paradox, ambiguity, and symbolism to create layers of meaning and interpretation. He leaves many questions unanswered and many endings open-ended, inviting the reader to participate in the creation of meaning.
Kafka's vision is marked by originality, creativity, imagination, and insight. He creates stories that are both realistic and fantastical, both familiar and strange, both humorous and tragic. He explores themes that are universal and timeless, such as identity, freedom, responsibility, justice, morality, faith, love, death, etc. He also addresses issues that are relevant to contemporary society, such as bureaucracy, capitalism, consumerism, individualism, alienation, etc. He challenges the reader to question their assumptions and beliefs about themselves and the world around them.
How can you read The Metamorphosis for free?
The legal and ethical issues of downloading books online
If you are interested in reading The Metamorphosis for free online, you might wonder how you can access this amazing book without spending any money. Well, there are some ways to download ebooks for free online, but you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues involved. Downloading books online without the permission of the author or the publisher is considered piracy, which is a form of theft and a violation of intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights are the legal rights that protect the creators of original works, such as books, music, movies, etc. These rights give the creators the exclusive right to control how their works are used, distributed, reproduced, or modified by others. By downloading books online without permission, you are infringing on these rights and potentially harming the authors and publishers who depend on the sales of their books for their income and livelihood. Downloading books online without permission can also expose you to legal risks and penalties. Depending on the laws of your country, you could face fines, lawsuits, or even criminal charges for piracy. You could also expose your device to malware, viruses, or spyware that could compromise your security and privacy. Therefore, you should always be careful and cautious when downloading books online and make sure that you are doing it legally and ethically. The best sources to find free ebooks of The Metamorphosis
Fortunately, there are some legitimate and safe ways to download ebooks for free online, especially if the books are in the public domain. Public domain books are books that are no longer protected by intellectual property rights, either because they have expired or because they have been waived by the authors or publishers. Public domain books can be freely used, distributed, reproduced, or modified by anyone without any restrictions or permissions.
The Metamorphosis is one of the books that are in the public domain in many countries, especially in the United States and Canada. This means that you can legally download it for free online from various sources that offer public domain ebooks. Some of the best sources are:
Project Gutenberg: This is one of the oldest and largest collections of public domain ebooks on the web. It offers over 60,000 ebooks in various formats, languages, and genres. You can find The Metamorphosis in English and German versions here: .
LibriVox: This is a volunteer-run project that produces free audiobooks of public domain books. You can listen to The Metamorphosis in English and German versions here: .
Internet Archive: This is a non-profit digital library that preserves and provides access to millions of books, movies, music, websites, and more. You can find various editions and formats of The Metamorphosis here: .
ManyBooks: This is a website that offers thousands of free ebooks in various genres and categories. You can find The Metamorphosis in English and German versions here: .
Feedbooks: This is a website that offers both free and paid ebooks in various formats and languages. You can find The Metamorphosis in English and German versions here: .
Conclusion
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a surrealistic masterpiece that explores the themes of alienation, absurdity, and metamorphosis. It is a classic of literature that has influenced many writers and artists in different fields and media. It is also a book that you can read for free online from various sources that offer public domain ebooks. However, you should always be aware of the legal and ethical issues of downloading books online and respect the intellectual property rights of the authors and publishers.
FAQs
What genre is The Metamorphosis?
The Metamorphosis is a novella that belongs to the genre of magical realism or surrealism. It combines realistic elements with fantastical elements to create a distorted and absurd version of reality.
What is the message or moral of The Metamorphosis?
The Metamorphosis does not have a clear or definitive message or moral. It is open to multiple interpretations and meanings depending on the reader's perspective and context. Some possible messages or morals are:
The importance of empathy and compassion for others who are different or suffering.
The dangers of conformity and oppression in modern society.
The potential for change and transformation in human nature.The futility and absurdity of life and existence.
Who is the protagonist and antagonist of The Metamorphosis?
The protagonist of The Metamorphosis is Gregor Samsa, the traveling salesman who turns into a giant insect. The antagonist of The Metamorphosis is not a single person or entity, but rather the forces and circumstances that oppose and harm Gregor, such as his family, his work, his society, and his own condition.
What is the tone and mood of The Metamorphosis?
The tone of The Metamorphosis is the attitude or perspective that the author or narrator adopts towards the story and the characters. The tone of The Metamorphosis is mostly ironic, detached, and objective. The author or narrator does not express any emotion or judgment about the events or the characters, but rather presents them in a matter-of-fact and sometimes humorous way. The mood of The Metamorphosis is the feeling or atmosphere that the story creates for the reader. The mood of The Metamorphosis is mostly dark, bleak, and depressing. The story evokes a sense of horror, pity, and despair for Gregor and his situation.
What are some literary devices that Kafka uses in The Metamorphosis?
Kafka uses various literary devices to enhance his style and vision in The Metamorphosis. Some of them are:
Metaphor: A figure of speech that compares two things that are different but have something in common. For example, Gregor's transformation into an insect is a metaphor for his alienation and dehumanization.
Symbolism: The use of objects, characters, or events to represent abstract ideas or concepts. For example, Gregor's furniture symbolizes his human identity and memories, while his violin symbolizes his artistic and emotional expression.
Paradox: A statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible but contains some truth or validity. For example, Gregor's metamorphosis is both a curse and a blessing, as it frees him from his oppressive work and family but also isolates him from them.
Allusion: A reference to another work of literature, art, history, or culture that adds meaning or context to the story. For example, Kafka alludes to Ovid's Metamorphoses, a collection of myths about transformations, and to Darwin's theory of evolution, which explains how species change over time.
What are some adaptations or interpretations of The Metamorphosis?
The Metamorphosis has inspired many adaptations and interpretations in different genres and media, such as films, plays, operas, comics, animations, etc. Some of them are:
The Trial: A 1962 film directed by Orson Welles, based on another novel by Kafka. It features a scene where the protagonist visits an apartment where a woman keeps a man who has turned into an insect.
Kafka's Metamorphosis: The Musical!: A 2016 musical comedy written by Matt Chiorini and Travis Newton. It parodies the story and its themes with songs such as "I'm an Insect Now" and "What a Wonderful Vermin".
METAMORPHOSIS: A 2019 graphic novel by Peter Kuper, illustrated in black and white. It follows the original story closely but adds some modern elements and references.
The Metamorphosis VR: A 2020 virtual reality game by Ovid Works. It allows the player to experience the story from Gregor's perspective as he explores his room and interacts with his environment.
44f88ac181