Existentialism In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

In the novel, The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka explores the concept of existentialism, the philosophy that credits people with seeking out their true nature through the experiences they live, the choices they make, and are responsible for their personal development. To explore this concept, Kafka uses the idea of a metamorphosis to explore how changing physically is not necessary to changing a person’s character. In the process of a metamorphosis, the change from one state of being or thinking to another, Kafka demonstrates how people can develop their mindset through their experiences and how they choose to deal with their situations. Gregor Samsa, the main character, is a hardworking son who provides for his family and transforms overnight …show more content…
In exploring the concept of existentialism, that people are free to make choices for themselves, the question arises as to what extent a person’s physical state affects the choices they make. F.C. Copleston, a philosopher and historian who has focused on the philosophy of existentialism states, “existentialism is the doctrine that man is free and what he makes of himself depends on himself, on his free choices…” (Copleston 19). The argument that existentialism is based on free choices would be impeded if a person’s physical state barred them from being able to do the things they loved or from being with their loved ones. Kafka addresses these concerns with his character Gregor, who has been transformed overnight into a creature that does not look remotely human. Despite his physical change, Gregor Samsa retains his single-minded focus of caring for his family’s prosperity. He faces his change with ease, his worries centered on not being late for work. Gregor worries, “The next train was at seven o’clock; to catch it, he’d have to rush like a madman, and his sample case wasn’t even packed yet…” (Kafka 5). Although Gregor has already awoken as an insect, he doesn’t become worried until he realizes that he has overslept and will possibly be late for work. His worries don’t concern his physical wellbeing, how he could have …show more content…
Once Gregor realizes that he cannot work any longer and that he has become a burden to his family, he decides that it would be easier for them to survive without him. The novel states, “He thought back on his family with tenderness and love. His opinion that he must by all means disappear was possibly even more emphatic than that of his sister.” (Kafka 43). Kafka uses Gregor to establish that a physical transformation is not enough to count as a metamorphosis because, as is verified by Gregor, he maintains his nature in caring for his family; it was not enough to alter his way of thinking. Gregor’s self hasn’t changed although he has now taken on an insect form and his belief that it was his responsibility to ensure his family’s survival led him to the conclusion that they would be better off without