What If You Woke Up Transformed into a Cockroach?
The Utilitarian View of Being Human and the Feeling of Absurd Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is one of the most powerful allegories in literature, revealing the stark realities of human existence. Through the surreal transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect, Kafka explores the fragility of identity, the burdens of family and societal expectations, and the existential absurdity of life. This novella invites reflection on the utilitarian view of being human , wherein an individual's worth is determined by their ability to serve others. Simultaneously, the story illuminates the feeling of absurdity —the dissonance between humanity’s search for meaning and the chaotic, indifferent reality of life. In this article, we will explore how Kafka’s novella encapsulates these two philosophical dimensions and what it teaches us about the human condition. Gregor Samsa as a Victim of Utilitarianism From the very beginning of The Metamorphosis , it is clear that Gregor Samsa’s exist