Shock Value

Kafka’s metamorphosis is one of the most confusing stories I have ever read or seen… or even heard about. To some degree, I believe the story’s outrageous plot prevents the reader from uncovering the true message of the text. I also believe that this effect may be somewhat by design and may reinforce the message of the text. Gregor’s absurd transformation renders the reader helpless. The reader can no longer view the story seriously. The story’s removal from the realistic prevents the reader from uncovering the true nature of the text… initially at least. The eight hundred pound gorilla that is the storyline blocks us from truly seeing the meaning of the situation. We cannot get past the plot. The insane events that befall Gregor Samsa overwhelm our critical mindsets and force us to react to the circumstances. In this respect, we the readers are much like Gregor’s family in that we are distracted by the shock of Gregor’s transformation and condition. Gregor’s family is shocked by the transformation of their son into such a horrid, unacceptable thing, and we are shocked by the transformation of the text into a wildly unrealistic and insensible thing. We, as readers, are not prepared for this development and are therefore disarmed and transformed ourselves. We are blinded by the shock value of the story and are rendered unable to analyze the story past the transformation of Gregor into an insect. Gregor’s family is likewise unable see past Gregor’s transformation. They are rendered incapable of recognizing their own son for who he is because his transformation has shocked them into a state of petrified vulnerability. Gregor’s transformation has blinded them to Gregor’s true nature and left them unable to see their son as anything other than a monster. It is this blindness that connects the reader and the story. We are distracted by the overwhelming situation at hand, and this strips us of our insight.