Gregor Samsa was a man who spent his adult life working off his father's debt, turning into a bug, and being persecuted as a bug. I have to admit, that life doesn't sound too appealing. He was alone through most of his hardships as a bug as well, which makes his life sound all the more sad. As soon as I had learned about Gregor's life as a human, I knew that there was no way he would get a happy ending.
As a human, Gregor pretended to be a very eager worker, while all he wanted to do was to finish working off his father's debt. He wasn't happy. (Sorry, I know I'm stating the obvious.) As a bug, his family either ignored him or treated him like vermin. Even if Gregor had turned back into a human, his life would've either gone on as it did before, or his family would realize that they didn't need him at all. They were self-sufficient while he was a bug, why wouldn't they be when he turned into a human again?
If Gregor remained a bug, his family would continue ignoring him. And whenever he would try to be a part of something, they would hurt him, physically and with words (that they aren't sure he understands). As it happened, neither of these possibilities came to be. Gregor didn't turn into a human, and he didn't remain a bug. He was killed by his sister, with approval by the rest of the family.
Gregor is the central character, so it's easy to view things in his point of view. I know I sound biased, but I don't think the ending was happy. One could say that this ending was happy for the rest of the family, by viewing quotes such as "And it was like a confirmation of their [the Samsas] new dreams and good intentions when at the end of the journey their daughter was the first to rise to her feet and stretch her young body." But the ending for the central character didn't seem happy. "Then his [Gregor] head sank fully down, of its own accord, and his last faint breath ebbed out from his nostrils."
I'm aware the central character isn't the only character, but he was the only character I felt sympathy for. I initially felt sympathy for Grete, but then I became unsure of whether her care for Gregor was out of selflessness or having control. She seemed to enjoy being the one to take initiative for all things Gregor, including his death. So if her ending is happy, it doesn't necessarily mean the ending is happy.
Plus, we have to take into account the parasitic nature of Herr and Frau Samsa. Are they planning on taking advantage of the new Grete? They want to find her a husband, and they seem to take notice of all the useful characteristics of Grete. Maybe her ending isn't going to be so good. I wouldn't wish a bad life for her, but her happiness isn't what I would define as a happy ending.
Herr and Frau Samsa will probably have a happy ending. I'm not quite sure that they deserve it. So I don't think their happy ending gives The Metamorphosis a happy ending.
Herr and Frau Samsa will probably have a happy ending. I'm not quite sure that they deserve it. So I don't think their happy ending gives The Metamorphosis a happy ending.
I agree that the ending of the Metamorphosis does not qualify as a happy ending at least in my book. Gregor’s buggy life, as detailed by the book, was riddled with problems ranging from ostracization to abuse and ultimately death. As the story progressed I became less and less fond of Gregor’s family and I felt that they really only wanted him around so he could provide for them. We talked in class about how perhaps Gregor’s already buggy nature was a catalyst for his transformation, perhaps his parent’s parasitic tendencies could cause them to transform into dust mites or another bug? I would actually be really interested in reading a book about Grete’s story post metamorphosis or a book about what Gregor’s transformation would had have been like had it occurred at a different time in his life.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's "obvious" that Gregor wasn't "happy" before the metamorphosis. Happiness is slippery to define, and it's true that he does indulge in some (private) cussing out of his boss and lamentation of his circumstances early in the morning. But his entire self seems to be so fully defined by his work--it gives him a sense of purpose, even of duty, all of which is lost after his transformation. It's hard to say if that sense of self equals "happiness"--in Kafka, probably not--but there is a sense of life having some kind of meaning or purpose that is suddenly taken away from him.
ReplyDeleteYou back up your point well! While, yes, the ending of The Metamorphosis has a generally "happy" tone, it doesn't necessarily mean it's happy ending to the story. It's happy for some characters and not so much for others. The definition of a happy ending usually lies with the protagonist so, Gregor being our protagonist, the ending is not really happy.
ReplyDeleteWhile it's true that many people prefer happy endings to sad ones, I think it's the unhappy endings that cause people to draw arms and rise to action. In The Metamorphosis, I had to think about Kafka's motivation to write this. For one, Gregor's past as a dedicated worker is something a lot people have commented on. Indeed, his lengthy hours and strict boss draw allusions to a militaristic and almost robotic society. Though many points are made by Kafka, I think he's mainly criticizing Gregor's insane work ethic. I don't think it's a coincidence that he turns into an insect. He's literally been reduced to what his job has been turning him into, and his family isn't even compassionate. In the end, he's replaceable. His family is actually relieved when he dies, and it doesn't seem like he had anyone else to live for.
ReplyDeleteThe ending is really pitiful, especially to the reader who fully understands what's happening. To me the ending kind of sounds like me after hosting a huge party (not that my guests are vermin), but I can never be comfortable because I have to always be on top of things. In a similar way, the Samsa family couldn't let their guard down and has to constantly worry about Gregor and fear him. After his death, they had this sudden relief that probably wasn't even ecstatic happiness for them either, but more of a weight lifted off of their chest.
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