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• 1 2020-11-29T10:13:44-05:00 Gregor Samsa as Social Contamination 5 Close Reading of Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, translated by Ian Johnston plain 2020-11-29T10:19:36-05:00

  “He scarcely wondered about the fact that recently he had had so little consideration for the others; earlier this consideration had been something he was proud of. And for that very reason he would’ve had at this moment more reason to hide away, because as a result of the dust which lay all over his room and flew around with the slightest movement, he was totally covered in dirt. On his back and his sides he carted around with him dust, threads, hair, and remnants of food. His indifference to everything was much too great for him to lie on his back and scour himself on the carpet, as he often had done earlier during the day. In spite of his condition he had no timidity about inching forward a bit on the spotless floor of the living room” (Kafka, 34). 

  This passage in the last part of Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka follows the scene where the Samsa residence lodgers are eating dinner, then they hear the sister’s violin playing. The sister plays for them, the parents act polite, and Gregor slowly inches out of his room, as if magnetized to the music. At this point in time, Gregor had been in his room, which the maid had been using as a storage room for things that need to be cleared for the lodgers. He had become neglected by his family, indicated by the dust and dirt around the room and on his body. This passage is relevant to reading Metamorphosis through the lens of illness, as it indicates the extent to which his physical transformation has impacted his psychological state. In particular, his physical transformation has shifted the roles he previously fulfilled for his family, and this loss of productive power has resulted in disintegration of their relationships. While the sister tries in the beginning to take care of Gregor, she eventually lets go of the quality of her care after a long process of letting go of the hope that Gregor will return to “normal” [i.e. be able to communicate, work, and have a human body again]. The family members have tried in their own ways to cope with Gregor’s transformation, but the fact that the family was dependent on him to work proves detrimental to their well being. Their love and care for him seemed to derive from his ability to provide for the family, and when he loses this ability, their relationship with and perception of him shifts. This passage highlights the relationships between love, care, illness, and difference. The passage states that Gregor has stopped considering others to the extent that he used to (which he used to be proud of). Were he still considerate, he would feel the need to hide as a result of his dirtiness. However, he is indifferent to the point that he does not bother to clean himself off (like he used to). Instead, he is drawn to the music and does not worry about his appearance or how it will affect others. 

  Hidden meanings include the description of Gregor’s body and room, especially in contrast to the “spotless” or “immaculate” living room floor. While his room is the source of contamination, the rest of the house is cared for and taken care of by the family members or maid. His space (and body) becomes neglected, avoided, and feared because of his mark of difference (and the contamination becomes another marker). The language of the passage also highlights the psychological transformation that Gregor has undergone as a result of his physical transformation. While in a human body, and at the beginning of his life as a different creature, he felt good about considering others. This is because his actions towards others impacted his social standing-- if he were to be considerate, he had been rewarded with social approval and maybe reputation. However once his body transforms, he has no control over the perceptions of others. Whether he tries to appear normal, clean, or safe, his family is disgusted by and fearful of him. Since his consideration of others now makes no difference, he surrenders to his new mode of being and allows himself to experience life (i.e. his sister playing violin) without social norms acting as a barrier. The description of the scene and its comparison to earlier times serves to communicate Gregor’s comprehensive metamorphosis, which ultimately leads to his full rejection by outsiders. The shame and isolation he had to endure in order to try to retain a semblance of normality has proved futile, so he embraces his new being- even to the detriment of his survival. This passage reflects the social model of disability through highlighting the human-caused circumstances that further Gregor’s isolation, shame, and alienation. This isolation, caused by outsiders’ fear of Gregor’s difference, serves to prevent his access to a fulfilling life. Through their physical aggression (his father throwing an apple) and neglect (his room becoming a dusty storage room), they ensure that Gregor’s physical transformation will hinder his ability to function freely.