Symbolism In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

The Fluttering Symbolism of Kafka 's The Metamorphosis
Humans have always been fascinated by transformation. It seems that every culture has at least one, from the Yeh-Shen to The Ugly Duckling. Even in modern times, there 's a deep interest in rags-to-riches, started-from-the-bottom success stories. This idea of transformation has its roots in the world around us. Plants grow and animals transform, causing nature as we know it to be a fluid concept. One of the most referenced transformations in literature is the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. The meek, ugly caterpillar is encased by a chrysalis, and magically emerges as a beautiful, elegant butterfly. It 's called metamorphosis. In a book of the same name by Franz Kafka,

One of the most enticing points of a transformation story, and one of the main reason Gregor does not qualify, is the emphasis on the character before his or her transformation. In the life cycle of a butterfly, this would be the caterpillar stage. During this stage, the caterpillar 's only job is to eat as much as possible, so that it can weather the process of metamorphosis. Iit is obvious that Grete had been preparing herself as much as possible to be a well rounded young lady, which was the equivalent of a butterfly. She took advantage of Gregor 's breadwinner status to indulge in the perks of a comfortable middle class life. When the family befalls hard times, it is remarked that in the old days "her life...had been very enviable, consisting of wearing nice clothes, sleeping late, helping out in the business, joining in with a few modest pleasures and most of all playing the violin", which was an indulgent lifestyle, similar to that of a hungry caterpillar 's. She grows in this stage, but maintains her the core of

However, at some point the chrysalis, which was once so vital to the development of the butterfly, becomes an impediment. The young butterfly is confined to the chrysalis, fully grown, but unable to fly. It 's at this point that the butterfly must aggressively break through the chrysalis. This process of pushing the protective chrysalis away mirrors the scene in which Grete convinces her family to finally get rid of Gregor. When Grete is ready to spread her wings and reveal herself as a beautiful butterfly, she finds herself obstructed by Gregor, her chrysalis. It is this failed encounter with the boarders that causes Grete to tell her parents that "[they] have to try and get rid of it". It is in this moment that Grete decides she no longer needs the chrysalis. By informing her parents of negatice stance on Gregor, she takes the final steps of breaking through the chrysalis. She has established herself as a reasonable adult, who no longer sees the need of her protector. After this discovery, she is very quick to shed herself of the chrysalis. Within that night, Gregor is cast aside, forgotten and unnecessary. The pupae stage of the butterfly has ended dramatically, leaving a fully developed butterfly