The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis is arguably Franz Kafka's most recognized literary work. Published in Germany in 1915 as Die Verwandlung,this dark short novel or novella,has made its way as one of the most important works of literary fiction of the 20th Century. Gregor Samsa,a traveling salesman living with his family in Prague-part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time,wakes up one day to find himself transformed, without rhyme or reason,into an indescribable creature.Understandably,Gregor Samsa's life changes abruptly and dramatically and the novel focuses in how this change affects the mind of the protagonist and the ones around him. This situation is very taxing on Gregor and his family,but is handled by the author and the characters very naturally,very stoically,as if there's nothing to do about it but to move on and make the best of it.This way of handling life and the impossible situations it brings is very particular of Kafka and his narrative. He often explored the mundanity through tragedy and insurmountable odds-many times to the point of absurdity as a way of exposing human nature and commenting on society and the surrounding world.