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 existence revolves around fulfilling responsibilities. As the primary breadwinner of the family, he works tirelessly as a traveling salesman, enduring a job he despises solely to support his parents and sister. This sense of obligation defines his identity, leaving little room for personal happiness or fulfillment. His transformation into a giant insect can be seen as a literal manifestation of his loss of humanity, symbolizing how Gregor has already been reduced to a mere instrument—an economic provider for his family.
Kafka critiques the utilitarian view of human relationships, where individuals are valued only for their usefulness. Gregor's family initially shows some concern for him after the transformation, but their empathy quickly deteriorates when they realize he can no longer contribute financially. His father expresses anger and disgust, his mother withdraws emotionally, and his sister Grete, who had initially cared for him, becomes cold and resentful over time. This shift in attitude reflects the conditional nature of their love—once Gregor ceases to be useful, he becomes a burden, undeserving of care or respect.
The family's behavior illustrates the dehumanizing effects of a utilitarian ethic that places instrumental value over intrinsic worth. In this worldview, individuals are reduced to their function: Gregor was "the provider," and when that function ceases, he becomes irrelevant. The question Kafka raises is poignant: What happens to a person’s identity and dignity when they are no longer useful? The answer is grim—without utility, Gregor is discarded, much like any object that has outlived its purpose.
Alienation and the Breakdown of Identity
Kafka’s portrayal of Gregor’s transformation into an insect also serves as a metaphor for alienation—both from oneself and from others. Even before his metamorphosis, Gregor was alienated from his own desires, subordinating his personal well-being to the demands of his job and family. His transformation only externalizes this internal condition: he becomes a creature that can no longer communicate with others or engage meaningfully with the world.
The loss of language is a crucial aspect of Gregor’s alienation. Language is a fundamental element of human identity and social interaction, but after his transformation, Gregor's attempts to communicate are reduced to unintelligible sounds. This severance from communication isolates him further, not just physically but also emotionally and psychologically. The family's inability—and eventual unwillingness—to understand him mirrors how modern society isolates individuals who do not conform to its expectations or contribute to its goals.
Kafka’s depiction of identity breakdown resonates with existential themes. Gregor struggles to reconcile his insect form with his lingering human consciousness. He retains memories and emotions, yet he cannot act on them meaningfully. This tension reflects the existential dilemma of being trapped between what one is and what one desires to be. Just as Gregor cannot escape his insect body, individuals in the modern world often feel trapped by roles imposed on them by society—roles that define their worth in purely functional terms.
The Absurdity of Human Existence
Kafka’s novella also serves as a powerful expression of the absurd, a concept later developed by existentialist philosophers like Albert Camus. Absurdity arises from the conflict between the human desire for meaning and the indifferent, chaotic nature of the universe. Gregor’s transformation into an insect is not explained; it happens without reason or warning. This lack of explanation is Kafka’s way of showing that life is inherently unpredictable and meaningless. Just as Gregor struggles to make sense of his transformation, humans often struggle to find purpose in a world that offers none.
Gregor’s suffering reflects the essence of absurdity—even though he is no longer capable of fulfilling his role, he continues to feel the weight of responsibility toward his family. His guilt, despite being physically incapable of working, underscores the irrational expectations imposed by society. This is the tragic irony of the absurd: even when our roles and responsibilities no longer make sense, we cling to them out of habit and fear of rejection.
In the final moments of the novella, Gregor’s slow, lonely death exemplifies the futility of searching for meaning in a world that is indifferent to individual suffering. His death is not heroic or redemptive; it is merely a quiet exit from a life that no longer had a place for him. The family, instead of mourning, feels relief and quickly resumes their lives, symbolizing how the world moves on, indifferent to individual tragedies.
Freedom and Acceptance in Absurdity
Kafka’s portrayal of Gregor’s metamorphosis offers a bleak vision of human existence, but it also hints at the possibility of freedom. In existential philosophy, freedom arises not from external circumstances but from internal acceptance of the absurd condition. Gregor’s death, while tragic, can also be interpreted as a form of liberation. Trapped in a meaningless and isolating existence, he no longer has to struggle against the expectations that had defined his life.
Albert Camus, in The Myth of Sisyphus, argues that the recognition of absurdity can lead to a form of freedom. Once we accept that life has no inherent meaning, we are free to create our own meaning. Similarly, Gregor’s transformation and subsequent death symbolize a confrontation with the absurd. While Kafka does not provide a clear path to redemption, the story suggests that liberation might lie in letting go of societal roles and expectations, even if it means embracing isolation and loss.
Conclusion: A Critique of Modern Existence
The Metamorphosis offers a haunting critique of modern existence, where individuals are valued not for who they are but for what they can provide. Gregor Samsa’s tragic journey highlights the dangers of reducing human beings to their utility, showing how such a worldview leads to alienation, identity loss, and despair. Kafka’s exploration of the absurd forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of human existence: What defines our worth? How do we navigate a world that offers no inherent meaning? And what happens when the roles we have built our lives around collapse?
Through Gregor’s story, Kafka warns against the dehumanizing forces of utilitarianism and offers a glimpse into the freedom that comes with accepting absurdity. While Gregor’s fate is bleak, his transformation urges readers to reflect on their own lives: Are we merely playing roles that others expect of us, or are we actively creating meaning in an otherwise indifferent world? The novella leaves us with no easy answers, only the unsettling truth that to be human is to live in the tension between utility and absurdity.
Comments
Post a Comment