There are a number of ways of looking at the Metamorphosis, but I like to see it as an allegory which represents the slippery slope of tempered justice. In the elementary example of a child who breaks her grandmother's vase and hides the shards under the rug on a fearful impulse, how easy it is for one to neglect one's morals and resolve to cover up one's wrongdoing. And once this has been done, would it not be too farfetched to say it would be easy for the child then to lie about the vase's whereabouts when questioned about it, and thus dive further down the rabbit hole of sin? We often treat justice the same way, especially when our reputations or egos are threatened. Guilt may keep us at bay for a while, but time and familiarity are the greatest killers of one's conscience, and eventually it disappears altogether. (potential spoiler) This is the kind of creeping normality which happens to Gregor Samsa's family, and it is what causes them to squash the bug at last and be done with it. ( )

The main message, for me, is that if we become attached to a familiar way of life, or dependent on a symbol of a particular way of life these can become monstrous. In this case, the family became financially dependent on Gregor. When he becomes a "kind of giant bug", the family goes through a metamorphosis. At first, it is the family that seems destined for complete collapse. These hardships lead to their disdain for Gregor. Ultimately they overcome these hardships and let the old life (and their attachment to Gregor) go. This release allows for growth, health, independence, and realistic hope for the future. This message truly resonated with me. ( )

A great classic. ( )

The plot, on the surface, seems very simple; the protagonist (Gregor) wakes up as a giant bug one day and we observe the changes that occur within himself and the people around him.

However, the subtext of this novella is packed to the brim with sophisticated elements of existentialism, tragedy, and societal pressure. Although this is a short read, in no way is it an easily digestible one. The story weighs you down with the hopelessness that the characters feel from the first page onwards, and it only gets worse. But, that is not to say that the narration is one-dimensional.

Overall, it will be one of those stories that bug you (pun not intended) for a long time due to how tragic and depressing it is.

Would recommend it to anyone if they're looking for an uneasy read. ( )

Metamorphosis is a masterfully crafted commentary on the frailty of human condition. It's compact and serves a perfectly formulated dose of surrealism to the reader while offering an immersive experience that is full of gut-punches, none of which feel forced or out of place.

The steady transition of the dynamic between the protagonist and his family culminates in a situation where it's convenient for both parties to end their association without being driven by sentiments, and the unfolding of it all rightfully makes the reader ask themselves why all of it happened, instead of how. ( )