« I need the mediation of the Other in order to be what I am » Jean Paul Sartre

« Hell is other people ». This reference to Jean Paul Sartre's ideas summarizes my felling by reading « The Metamorphosis » by Franz Kafka. Of course, there are many ways to interpret this novella. But, above all, it inspires me the self-destruction caused by the other people's gaze. When physical changes end up in self-destruction. When the inner self, the consciousness, the personality falls apart because we are not recognized any more by the other people's gaze.

The metamorphosis is the story of Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman, who makes up metamorphosed into a « monstrous insect ». In fact, when Gregor wakes up, transformed into a scary insect, he doesn't sound afraid about his physical changes. Indeed, he tries to solve the practical problems imposed by his new body. He just wants to assume his professional responsibilities, his social inner self ! He only wants to be a son, a brother, an employee again ! If it depended only on himself, Gregor wouldn't change a thing. However, from the moment that his family, his immediate superior, the other people discover the metamorphosis, he loses his inner social self. So, he looses a part of his personality. Indeed, the inner social self is depends on the recognition of the others. It is our social character. Unfortunately, on other people's gaze, Gregor has become an insect. He is only a scary insect. The personality is a balance between mind and body. But, in his case,the balance is broken. Of course, he kept a consciousness within himself. Nevertheless, his physical aspect is gradually becoming hegemonic. His body shell is the only thing that matters to the others and especially to him. This is the myth of Narcissus. Little by little, he is deprived of all, even to live. He only survives locked up in a bedroom …

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That's why, I consider «The metamorphosis » as an example of alienation and dehumanization. First of all, it's a model of alienation because Gregor seems emptied of himself. His one's own existence as a person doesn't matter anymore. He is physically still alive. At the same time, he is internally dying. He is becoming a shadow. 

Then, I would like to speak about the concept of dehumanization. This novella reminds me the Jewish genocide during the World War II. We start by transforming the physical aspect of humans by dispossessing them of theirs clothes, hair, family jewels, muscles … Then, humans are mentally transformed by treating them like an animal without consciousness. Little by little, they lose confidence in themselves. They waste away. Dehumanized, they passively wait death. So, at the beginning, Gregor resists, fights against death whereas his father tries to kill him. But, he ends up letting himself die. He stops eating ! By the way, his sister, who can symbolizes resistance, end up giving up. So, this novella reminds me « If this is a man » by Primo Levi. The resistance makes place to fatalism.of himself. I think he is emptied for the benefit of his family … . When he died, his sister blossoms !

Ultimately, Gregor changes physically and mentally. Thus, his family is metamorphoses too, above all his sister. But, I would like to leave you with a positive, a comical spin. Indeed, by reading my blog post, you probably wanting to hang yourself ! So, « The Metamorphosis » reminds me « Drop Dead Diva », a TV series. This is the story of a model who dies and rises from the dead as an obese person. She kept her consciousness ! But, can her family accepts her like that ? Like her on a different body or like a different person with a part of her old self ? 

 Fiona Macedo Barros