I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical in starting this 65-page novella, largely because I wasn’t sure how much I’d learn or capture from such a short book, a book whose premise centered upon a man who wakes up as a bug. While my impression of the novella was hesitant, the story unraveled timeless ideas that I hope many will value just as I did.

The Metamorphosis opens with Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a bug. Despite his unfamiliarity with his newfound bodily functions, Gregor immediately turns to his responsibility as the breadwinner of his family, resolving to his normal morning routine of getting ready for work. His family soon discovers Gregor’s alarming physique and are burdened with the responsibility of caring for him and undertaking the new responsibility of working to maintain their financial status.

Overtime, Gregor is outcasted by his family due to the physical loss of his humanity and his inability to fulfill a role in his family; however, Gregor spends his days in reflection and meditation and begins to understand his true role in society. Ultimately, this realization causes Gregor to shut down, finally finding peace in a slow, and bittersweet death.

The most significant moment in this novella, in my opinion, is the moment in which Gregor’s sister, Grete, begins to play the violin in the living room. Gregor’s parents watch, hoping to please their guests and disregard the artistic value of Grete’s playing. Gregor, on the other hand, losing more and more of his humanity, sits and embraces the music from the violin and no longer cares about pleasing others; he enjoys the music for the music. In this moment, I think Kafka is trying to show the reader that there is no monetary compensation for artistic appreciation and that the thing that makes us human is our ability to make art. In this way, Gregor actually becomes more human during his transformation into a bug; his family, rather, are the true insects in that they exploit Grete’s violin playing.

Kafka presents the idea that humans become obsessed with the idea that they must fulfill a role in society in order to avoid alienation; however, humans are ultimately fulfilled by the thing that only humans can do, which is making art and music.

I found this message quite beautiful, especially in today’s society. Many of us are largely obsessed with material value when it comes our status in society. Kafka shows us that our value actually comes from doing the things that makes us human.