Existentialism is a vast and meticulous philosophy that, in a nutshell, advocates a diverse

arsenal of responses and solutions to the existentialist attitude; which, essentially, is what an
individual feels when confronted by the absurdity of life. Throughout humanity, ruminations and
self-proclaimed ultimate truths have assumed various forms: prose, poetry, religion and
numerous other doctrines, to name but a few. In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka Narrates the
ramifications of metamorphosis in which the subject and protagonist, a man named Gregory
Samosa, is transformed into a giant insect. Despite the novella's literary contributions and
influences the most prominent being the avant-garde nonchalance with which Kafka describes
the most fantastical events
The Metamorphosis is also hailed as a pivotal proponent of existentialism, the aforementioned
philosophical movement. Both prior and subsequent to the transformation, Kafka portrays
Gregory as an individual profoundly lacking an identity. The Reminiscences of his past are
neither nostalgic nor poignant quite the contrary: his human life is seen to revolve solely
around fiscal matters whilst his social life is stagnant due to his failure to assert a concrete
existence. The extent of his lack of individuality is further exemplified by his reaction to the
metamorphosis: albeit finding himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect (Kafka, 296),
he prioritizes work over all else (even his newly acquired bug form!) and panics because the
next train went at seven oclock; to catch that he would need to hurry like mad and his samples
weren't even packed up. Gregor identity crisis is a device for conveying Kafkas subtle diatribe
regarding an exceedingly
Gregory, in the context of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's Notes from Underground analogy, would be
the anti in the anthill thus rendering his metamorphosis ironically apt. Another dominant
theme prevalent throughout the novella is the absurd situation Gregor is confronted by. These
nonsensical happenings that permeate the fiction reflect the world as seen from the existentialist

perspective: a world absent of a rational and comprehensive objective. Jean-Paul Sartre

postulated that every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and
dies by chance. This meaninglessness is precisely what Gregor is victim to in the microcosm of
society that Kafka Generates: Gregor flounders about, beleaguered by absurdity and
helplessness, presumably because he is unaware of Nietzsche's and Kierkegaard's somewhat
consoling conclusions that one must devise meaning for ones own existence ex nihilo
. Once again, Kafka utilizes a combination of plot and character to convey his angst concerning
an apparently pointless existence. Freedom or rather the lack thereof is another
existentialist tenets that Kafka addresses. Gregor is depicted as someone constrained by selfimposed burdens, the most demanding being the role as the financial pillar of the family. Despite
having the freedom to repudiate this role, Gregor instead pursues it with feverish ardor to the
extent that it becomes his sole desire (5). Yet his harangue regarding his career (7) reveals that
this is not due to personal desire, but rather the belief that he must replace his father financially,
regardless of preference. Gregorys delusion regarding an absence of choice contradicts what
Kafka perceives as the truth: that freedom is ubiquitous in spite of any ethical obligations we
may be expected to adhere to, and that the individual defines his or herself through their ones
decisions.
In conclusion, Kafka employs the fictional literary elements he constructs to address the very
non-fictional, existentialist aspects of society and life. Very much like Dostoyevskys Notes from
Underground, it can be interpreted as against impersonal communities, restriction of freedom,
and the absurdity of life.