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The Metamorphosis

by Franz Kafka, Stanley Corngold (Translator)

3.67 · rating details · 75,952 ratings · 2,191 reviews

"As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. He was laying on his hard, as it were armor-plated, back and when he lifted his head a little he could see his domelike brown belly divided into stiff arched segments on top of which the bed quilt could hardly keep in position and was about to slide of...more

Mass Market Paperback, 224 pages

Published February 1st 1972 by Bantam Classics (first published January 1st 1915)

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May 03, 2011

Dan rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to discover he's been transformed into a giant beetle-like creature. Can he and his family adjust to his new form?

The Metamorphosis is one of those books that a lot of people get dragooned into reading during high school and therefore are predisposed to loath. I managed to escape this fate and I'm glad. The Metamorphosis is quite a strange little book.

Translated from German, The Metamorphosis is the story of how Gregor Samsa's transfor...more

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Apr 22, 2009

Roos rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Manusia yang siap akan perubahan apapun

Recommended to Roos by: Amang and Curiosity

Shelves: furious, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Hebatnya membaca buku Kafka ini adalah kita dibuat untuk merasakan proses Metamorfosis itu sendiri, bagaimana menjadi seekor serangga dalam hal ini adalah kecoa. Dimulai dari cover yang menarik adalah perubahan dari jejak sepatu kaki manusia menjadi sebagian badan dan ekor serangga yang teridentifikasi memang kecoa.

Dibandingkan dengan Rico de Coro Filosofi Kopi dalam yang saya baca lebih dulu daripada buku ini, Buku DEE itu dikisahkan Rico de Coro yang memang benar-benar seekor kec...moreHebatnya membaca buku Kafka ini adalah kita dibuat untuk merasakan proses Metamorfosis itu sendiri, bagaimana menjadi seekor serangga dalam hal ini adalah kecoa. Dimulai dari cover yang menarik adalah perubahan dari jejak sepatu kaki manusia menjadi sebagian badan dan ekor serangga yang teridentifikasi memang kecoa.

Dibandingkan dengan Rico de Coro Filosofi Kopi dalam yang saya baca lebih dulu daripada buku ini, Buku DEE itu dikisahkan Rico de Coro yang memang benar-benar seekor kecoa yang hidup di kerajaan Ayahnya dan jatuh cinta pada seorang gadis manusia bernama Sarah, disini Rico de Coro rela mati demi seorang Sarah yang kala itu ketakutan melihat Kecoa Percobaan yang lebih menyeramkan daripada Rico. Dan digambarkan juga bagaimana perasaan Ayah si Rico yang Raja sangat kehilangan satu-satunya pewaris tahtanya. Padahal bisa dibilang setiap hari dia wanti-wanti ke Rico untuk berhati-hati.

Kembali ke Metamorfosis Kafka yang fenomenal, terbagi menjadi 3 bagian. Bagian 1 bercerita mengenai bagaimana seorang Gregor Samsa yang tiba-tiba bangun dari tidur malamnya berubah bentuk menjadi seekor kecoa. Bagaimana dia menyadari kondisi dirinya dengan beradaptasi mengenali tubuh barunya kemudian usahanya untuk bangun dari tempat tidur dan perjuangannya untuk berdiri dan membuka pintu kamar disaat keluarganya menantinya untuk sarapan dan mengucapkan selamat bekerja. Bagian 2 bercerita bagaimana reaksi Ayah, Ibu dan adeknya Grete dalam menyikapi perubahan yang terjadi pada Gregor. Disini Grete masih bisa menunjukkan perhatiannya dengan menyediakan makanan untuk Gregor, sedangkan Ibunya yang takut-takut menuju kamar Gregor. Kemudian Ayah yang memang terkesan sama sekali gak mau tahu dan memang sengaja mengucilkan Gregor. Kemudian kelakuan ketiganya yang selalu mebicarakan Gregor dengan berbisik-bisik takut terdengar oleh Gregor, tapi terdengar juga. Juga rasa jijik dan malu mereka apabila Gregor manampakan diri depan orang lain. Bagian 3 bercerita mengenai usaha Gregor untuk menyampaikan perasaannya kepada orang-orang yang dicintainya itu tapi malah mendapat tanggapan yang sangat tidak menyenangkan, yang membuat Gregor akhirnya mati putus asa.

Tapi sebenarnya apa sih Metamorfosis itu, setahu kita yah selalu berhubungan dengan telur larva kepompong dan kupu-kupu yang cantik. Yang sebenarnya diceritakan Kafka adalah Metamorfosis yah Perubahan itu sendiri. Dan seperti kita tahu perubahan selalu terjadi, tetapi setiap orang mempunyai perbedaan sikap terhadap perubahan termasuk apa yang terjadi dengan Gregor dan keluarganya. Menurut hasil Googling, Kecoa sendiri mengalami Metamorfosis yang tidak sempurna karena hanya mengalami 3 stadium yaitu telur-nimfa dan dewasa. Dan kecoa juga mempunya kemampuan beradaptasi yang tidak perlu diragukan lagi, bahkan dalam kondisi ekstrem sekalipun Kecoa bisa bertahan hidup. Tapi yang ini kecoanya mati dalam keputusasaan.

Dan apa yang terjadi terhadap Gregor Samsa, seorang pemuda yang terhimpit oleh kondisi ekonomi dikarenakan Ayahnya yang sudah pensiun dengan hutang yang belum terbayar, Ibunya yang sudah tidak muda lagi dengan penyakit asmanya, juga Adeknya Grete yang masih 17 tahun dan baru senang-senangnya belajar Biola. Gregor menanggung kehidupan 3 orang yang sangat dia cintai hanya dengan menjadi pedagang keliling. Belum target dari perusahaannya dan impiannya untuk menyekolahkan adeknya ke Sekolah Musik. Ayah yang selama ini dibutuhkan oleh Gregor malah bereaksi acuh bahkan cenderung manyiksa dengan melemparinya apel dikarenakan Gregor Kecoa tidak sengaja membuat Ibunya pingsan karena melihatnya tiba-tiba. Sepertinya beban itu terlalu berat untuk Gregor. Dan ketergantungan itu membuat Orang tua Gregor dan adeknya menjadi orang yang skeptis, pikiran sempit, berprasangka bahkan mengalami kesulitan dalam bersosialisasi. Dengan terjadinya Perubahan pada Gregor membuat mereka bertiga tidak bisa berkutik. Dan usaha Gregor untuk menyadarkan mereka memang terkesan sia-sia karena berakhir dengan keputusasaannya hingga membuatnya meninggal di kamarnya sendiri.

Tapi sebenarnya, tidak ada yang sia-sia dari dari sebuah usaha karena sepeninggal Gregor, Orangtua Gregor seperti terbuka pandangannya bahwa hidup tidak hanya dalam sekotak apartemen yang mereka tinggali, tapi diluar itu ternyata banyak yang indah-indah yang bisa dinikmati dan dirasakan. Seperti saat mereka keluar dari apartemen dan sedang naik kereta ke desa diluar kota dan mendiskusikan mengenai masa depan menyadari betapa Grete telah berubah menjadi gadis muda yang cantik.Dan kedua orang tua Gregorpun bisa tersenyum bahagia.

Yang lucu dari buku ini adalah munculnya beberapa figuran seperti Kepala Pegawai yang tiba-tiba datang tepat dihari Gregor berubah, dan lari terbirit-birit saat bertemu Gregor, kemudian para pembantu yang keluar masuk gonta-ganti personel, dan terakhir adalah tiga lelaki misterius yang akhirnya diusir oleh Ayah Gregor.

Dan mengenai Perubahan siapapun yang tidak bisa menghadapinya dengan bijaksana akan tergilas oleh perubahan itu sendiri. Satu Quote dari Mario Teguh: " Selagi muda jadilah petarung bagi mimpi-mimpi anda. sebelum anda menjadi tawanan bagi penyesalan-penyesalan anda".

Buku yang menarik dibaca untuk Manusia Modern kata W.H Anden.

(less)

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Dec 30, 2007

Nikki rated it

Shelves: philosophical, classic-literature, morbid-humor, favorites

Gregor waking up one morning as a bug was a hilarious analogy of the effects an illness can have on someone, as well as on those who are close to him. Though the underlying story behind the hilarity of the analogy was anything but funny. I took it as more of a warning of what NOT to do when a loved-one is afflicted by some unfortunate disease or circumstance. I found his resistance of acknowledging to himself that he had become a bug in the beginning of the story to be very interesting. When...moreGregor waking up one morning as a bug was a hilarious analogy of the effects an illness can have on someone, as well as on those who are close to him. Though the underlying story behind the hilarity of the analogy was anything but funny. I took it as more of a warning of what NOT to do when a loved-one is afflicted by some unfortunate disease or circumstance. I found his resistance of acknowledging to himself that he had become a bug in the beginning of the story to be very interesting. When he couldn't ignore his state any longer, he looked to others' reactions as to how he would look at his own condition. As he was trying to unlock his bedroom door to let his parents and supervisor in, he thought,

"If they took fright, then Gregor would have no further responsibility and could rest in peace. But if they took it all calmly, then he had no reason to get excited either and he could, if he hurried, actually be at the station by eight."

The reaction of those around him, and most importantly, those of his closest loved-ones, is what influenced his own attitude towards himself and his own state. He became completely ashamed of himself, striving to completely hide himself from view, though it took great effort and pain on his part to do so. His imprisonment, or rather, his confinement from the company of others, had a devastating affect upon his mental well-being and in turn, affected his physical well-being. Such a sad story and the fact that his family didn't feel remorse for their actions, but relief for themselves at his death... I don't believe Kafka was trying to say this is how humans are indubitably, even though most of them try to put on a show of galantry and higher morals. But that humans certainly can become some of the most self-serving, self-centered creatures on Earth. It serves as a warning to us all that while it is good to allow others to serve us from time to time, it is far better to always serve others. Gregor's family had all become accustomed to being taken care of by him. They didn't even mind that he was held in servitude to pay off their debts. This was made evident when the fact was made known that Gregor's father had been saving up extra money earned by Gregor, when it could have been used to pay for his freedom much sooner. Gregor, on the other hand, had been serving his family and loved them purely because of it. His first thought was not of himself, but of the hardship his condition would cause his family.

So lest we fall into such an ugly state of existence, let us guard ourselves by serving those we love, thus loving more those we serve.(less)

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Nikki I completely agree. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't want to be dead weight for my family either. But I would loathe even more to be like his...moreI completely agree. If I were in that situation, I wouldn't want to be dead weight for my family either. But I would loathe even more to be like his family. Even members of a family whose roles are not that of bread-winner, still have responsibilities toward the family. This family shirked their own roles (prior to Gregor's illness), which became evident in their attitudes when Gregor became ill.

When I was a little girl, my paternal Grandpa was so sick with arthritis and other ailments, that he couldn't move or do anything for himself. My parents had him move into the house with us. He had a special bed filled with sand, and air would push up through the sand to make him feel weightless on his bed. This helped significantly with his bed sores. He could hardly eat anything, and my father invented a nourishing egg-blended concoction that he was able to keep down. While my Grandpa's body was completely crippled and incapacitated, his mind was one of the most keen and brilliant I've ever known. So that he wouldn't get lonely, we kept his huge, special bed in our family room. My family's love grew even stronger for him after he moved in with us and my parents started taking care of him full-time. We loved talking to him. The younger children would read and sing songs to him but his knowledge, of what seemed to be boundless, fascinated us all. We learned a great deal from him. I know that my Grandpa worried about being "dead weight" for us, but nothing could be further from the truth and our fondest childhood memories still consist of the time he lived with us. Furthermore, he bore his painful ailments like a champion and I don't think anyone ever heard him complain. His selflessness, compassion, and intelligence remains the standard to which we, as now adults, still hold ourselves and reach for. By example, word, and deed, he helped us all become a little better than we were before and for that, we will always be indebted to him.

Whose do I think was the more difficult hardship: that of my family's or that of my Grandpa's? Definitely, without question, my Grandpa had it the hardest. I find it hard to imagine how hard it must have been for such a hard-working, brilliant man to allow himself to be cared for, a man who had triumphed over every trial in life, to find at the end, he would not be able to physically care for himself. But even in this, he learned and triumphed. This is why he is our hero and this is what shapes my thoughts on this book.(less)
Mar 24, 2008 09:59am

Valeria Very insightful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story :-)
Aug 11, 2011 10:56pm

Jan 31, 2010

Harun Harahap rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: punya, fiksi, terjemahan

Saya membaca buku ini 2x. Kenapa?karena buku tipis ini sepertinya sarat dengan makna. Baca sebelum tidur hingga bermimpi ketemu kutu raksasa *lupa berdoa nih dan dalam bus kp.rambutan-merak menuju kantor tercinta di kebon jeruk. Lalu apakah yang saya 'tangkap' dari buku ini?

1. Bekerjalah dengan serius tapi santai. Bekerja dengan hati tanpa paksaan akan membuat pekerjaan lebih mudah dan nikmat untuk dilaksanakan. Jangan takut minta cuti atau istirahat jika sudah lelah, kita berhak unt...more

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Feb 17, 2008

Forest rated it

Recommended to Forest by: Herr Koppensteiner

Said to be one of the most important works of the 20th century, this story mirrors the way humans to this day treat others who are different. This is especially true for people with disabilities. Imagine getting into a car accident and spending the rest of your life without the use of your legs, arms, and voice. How would people treat you? This is why it is highly important for us to be unconsciously competent in our relationships with people with disabilities. Even more important is to focu...more

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May 24, 2010

Aerin rated it

Shelves: lit-ra-chur, read-for-class

I know, I know, it's a metaphor, but I really disliked this book. Too many GIANT BEETLES. Sure, there's only one, but really, isn't one too many?

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Jun 25, 2010

Nick Black rated it

Shelves: lost-to-the-game

over the past 10 years, i can think of at least three passionate, intense, very loud and vulgar public arguments about this book. odd. carmen zumot and i once didn't speak for two days after i took issue with her blasé claim that "Gregor Samsa was turned into a fly", which sounded at the time some height of willful ridiculousness... conceived and executed in the hopes of obliterating my Weltanschauung's very foundation, it seemed some existential Alpha Strike, a slouch towards barbaric...more

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Jan 06, 2012

Lou rated it

Shelves: best-reads

It was as a thought provoking encounter reading the metamorphosis of a man into some kind of dung beetle.Waking up to find out you have become a bug and all that comes with being one can be a frightening encounter, the inapability of communicating with you're loved ones a sad fate. This is an engaging read reminiscent of The Incredible Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson.

Theres to be a screen adaptation check out the video on my page
Metamorphosis Teaser by Jeffrey Lau ...more

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Feb 04, 2009

Ken rated it

Endlessly dissected, ripped apart, its guts laid out on a slab, sewn back together, reconstructed, reinterpreted, misunderstood, misinterpreted, parodied, plagiarized, overanalyzed, and sadly sometimes underappreciated. Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is one of those jumping off points for modern literature, a key touchstone where so many good writers -- Borges, Nabokov, García Márquez – found inspiration in his work and studied it like a textbook on great writing.

But what is the metamor...moreEndlessly dissected, ripped apart, its guts laid out on a slab, sewn back together, reconstructed, reinterpreted, misunderstood, misinterpreted, parodied, plagiarized, overanalyzed, and sadly sometimes underappreciated. Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is one of those jumping off points for modern literature, a key touchstone where so many good writers -- Borges, Nabokov, García Márquez – found inspiration in his work and studied it like a textbook on great writing.

But what is the metamorphosis? A dark fantasy about a man who wakes up one day to find himself transformed into a vile insect-like creature? Or an absurdist tale of a schizophrenic who believes he’s been turned into a human-sized beetle, terrorizing his family with his decrepit mental state? Kafka left that open for us to decide, even asking his original publisher to remove any imagery involving an insect off the cover. The first edition cover (you can find it on Wikipedia: ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Metamorphosis) is not a definitive statement on the story either. Is it the afflicted Gregor Samsa we see or his unnerved father fleeing from the sight of the creature in his son’s room? As it was written in German, Kafka never definitively stated what Gregor had become. The term he used, in what has now become one of the more famous opening lines in literature, to describe Gregor’s transformation was “ungeheueres Ungeziefer,” which literally means “unclean animal not suitable for sacrifice.” This has been translated (and mistranslated) as “gigantic insect” in some cases, but in later years, more translators have settled on “monstrous vermin,” as this seems to suit Kafka’s vague intent much better. But if you want to read the numerous theories, Google the book. I’ll leave it to those who are far more and far less philosophical than I.

In its construction, The Metamorphosis is flawless. Kafka upends the entire structure of modern storytelling, giving us the climax first, never explaining the possible source for Gregor’s affliction. Instead, Kafka leaves us in the dénouement, showing us the ugly effects of Gregor’s transformation on his too dependent family, who must now care for this unwanted monstrosity. As the tables are turned, the family shuns Gregor, locking him away. We then see Gregor move in two opposing directions -- becoming more louse-like in his basic behavior (such as eating garbage), but also more human in his fantasies (and sudden appreciation of music). It is this complex contrast that makes Gregor seem more human to us, thus playing into Kafka’s slippery reality that confuses as much as illuminates.

And yet, The Metamorphosis is not all doom and gloom. It’s actually quite funny. Sure, it has a dark, black sense of humor, but nevertheless, you can’t help but laugh at parts. When the new house maid spies Gregor for the first time, she does not turn tail, screaming in horror like his family. She merely states, “Come over here for a minute you old dung beetle!” Or the lodgers, who upon seeing Gregor slowly crawling towards them, do not try to smash him or exit the premises. They try to negotiate out of paying rent to Gregor’s father in light of the “disgusting conditions prevailing in this apartment and family.” Even Gregor’s ultimate fate, which I won’t give away, is handled in a way that the cast members from Monty Python’s Flying Circus would certainly appreciate.

With so many layers to it, The Metamorphosis still remains one of the most studied and widely imitated novels of the 20th century. But in its purest sense, it is an amazing, perfectly crafted, dark little fable.(less)

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Aug 03, 2007

Amir rated it

Shelves: philosophical

ولادیمیر ناباکوف در مورد این کتاب حرف قشنگی زده:اگر کسی مسخ کافکا را چیزی بیش از یک خیال پردازی حشره‌شناسانه بداند به او تبریک می‌گویم چون به صف خوانندگان خوب و بزرگ پیوسته است. در مورد سبک کتاب مسخ نکته ای که از لحاظ ادبیات خیلی مهم هست تمایز بین این سبک وهم آلود کافکا با سبکهای سوررئال و خیال پردازانه هست.کافکا با این نوع نوشتار سبکی رو در ادبیات بنیان گذاشته که بعد از کافکا به اسم سبک وهم آلود کافکائی شناخته میشه. (یکی از دلایلی که من این کتاب رو الان خوندم به خاطر کتاب قبلی بود که خوندم (کتا...moreولادیمیر ناباکوف در مورد این کتاب حرف قشنگی زده:اگر کسی مسخ کافکا را چیزی بیش از یک خیال پردازی حشره‌شناسانه بداند به او تبریک می‌گویم چون به صف خوانندگان خوب و بزرگ پیوسته است. در مورد سبک کتاب مسخ نکته ای که از لحاظ ادبیات خیلی مهم هست تمایز بین این سبک وهم آلود کافکا با سبکهای سوررئال و خیال پردازانه هست.کافکا با این نوع نوشتار سبکی رو در ادبیات بنیان گذاشته که بعد از کافکا به اسم سبک وهم آلود کافکائی شناخته میشه. (یکی از دلایلی که من این کتاب رو الان خوندم به خاطر کتاب قبلی بود که خوندم (کتاب اوهام‌) و در فسمتهایی از اون کتاب از سبک وهم آلود کافکا استفاده شده بود. قسمت اوج کتاب ابتدای کتاب هست که نقش اول داستان با یه حالت وهم آلود و آشفته از خواب بیدار میشه و میبینه که ظاهرش به شکل یه حشره بزرگ تبدیل شده.محیط داستان یادآور شرایط اجتماعی و سیاسی خاص اروپای شرقی در اون سالهاست و رویدادها در محیطی خرده‌بورژوا و در میان افرادی جریان می‌یابد که همواره درگیر نگرانی فردایند و غرق مشغولیتهای پیش‌پا افتاده هر روزه ی کارشان. جزئیات وقایع به شکلی واقع‌گرا روایت شده است، اما خود رویدادها از قوانین زمان و مکان خارج و به نشانه‌های واقعیتی متعالی تبدیل می‌شوند.چیزی که به صورت بارز در کتاب میشه دید طرز برخورد اجتماع یا خانواده با کسایی هست که طرز فکر متفاوتی نسبت به چیزی که عموم و عوام جامعه قبول دارن از خودشون نشون میدن. (خود کافکا هم مثل گرگور از دسته این آدمها بوده.) تصویری از نظام های کومونیستی که ارزشهای اقتصادی افراد ملاک بهره وری اونها هست رو هم در این داستان میشه دید.کافکا طنز بسیار ماهرانه و زیرکانه ای رو در داستانش قرار داده و از روی قصد طوری این طنز رو مخفی کرده که به نظر واقعی و تلخ بیاد و به نظر من از این کار و زیرکیش لذت برده. مثل کسی که شوخی زیرکانه ای میکنه و از اینکه میبینه خیلی ها نمی فهمن لذت میبره. زندگی کافکا بیانگر این هست که شخصیتش تا حد زیادی دستخوش نا امیدی بوده ولی به نحو متفاوتی از بقیه نا امیدی ها. شخصیت کافکا از نا امیدیش در رنج نبوده بلکه به عنوان یه حقیقت برتر بهش نگاه میکرده (به نوعی با اندیشه های فلسفی نیچه قرابت داره این طرز فکر). مثل چند تا دیگه از داستانهای کافکا توی این داستانش هم از مرگ به عنوان یه اتفاق مهم و تاثیرگذار (ولی نه چندان بد) یاد کرده. کافکا به طرز ماهرانه ای لطافت و مهربانی رو در شخصیت گرگور که در اوج بدبختی هست به نمایش گذاشته(less)

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Dec 26, 2007

Kathy rated it

Technically I read this book in German, and if I could give it zero stars, I would. I read the first sentence (in German, mind you) around 3:30 in the morning earlier this semester, and was convinced I was loosing my mind and that I couldn't be translating it right. It read: "Gregor Samsa awoke on morning to discover that he had somehow transformed into a giant cockaroach". After typing the sentence into freetranslation.com and finding out I actually had read and translated it corre...more

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Nov 30, 2011

Henry Avila rated it

· review of another edition

Gregor Samsa awakes from a bad dream into a nightmare.Stuck in his bed, this traveling salesman has overnight been transformed.Gregor is now a hideous bug. Dung beetle , cockroach , does it matter?He has missed his train in more ways than one.But Samsa, a real trooper, still thinks he can make the business trip!Eventually getting off the bed with just a small crash.Opening the locked door and moving around in his many, new, little feet.The parents and sister are shocked at his appearance. The...more

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Apr 13, 2009

Amang Suramang rated it

· review of another edition

Recommended to Amang by: Sigit Susanto

Shelves: indonesian, world-literature

"Berapa besar toleransi cinta manusia kepada manusia lain? Apakah batasannya?" Pertanyaan-pertanyaan besar ini melingkupi cerita yang dengan begitu dahsyat dibuka oleh Franz Kafka dengan kalimat ini: Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgen aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheuren Ungeziefer verwandelt.

Kata "ungeheure" diartikan makhluk raksasa, menakutkan, sedang "ungeziefer" bisa diartikan binatang kecil yang mengganggu, men...more"Berapa besar toleransi cinta manusia kepada manusia lain? Apakah batasannya?" Pertanyaan-pertanyaan besar ini melingkupi cerita yang dengan begitu dahsyat dibuka oleh Franz Kafka dengan kalimat ini: Als Gregor Samsa eines Morgen aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte, fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheuren Ungeziefer verwandelt.

Kata "ungeheure" diartikan makhluk raksasa, menakutkan, sedang "ungeziefer" bisa diartikan binatang kecil yang mengganggu, menjijikkan. Bisa jadi kumbang, kecoak, lalat. Dalam versi terjemahan Juni Liem ini, diterjemahkan menjadi: Di suatu pagi ketika Gregor Samsa terbangun dari mimpinya, dia menemukan dirinya telah berubah menjadi kutu yang besar. Di terjemahan yang lain seingatku pernah diterjemahkan menjadi kecoak raksasa (versi Bentang, entah kapan). Tapi itu semua tak soal. Intinya, Gregor Samsa menjadi binatang paling menjijikkan. (Diskusi paling menarik bisa diikuti di blog Sigit Susanto, orang yang paling menggilai Kafka bahkan sampai rela pergi ke makamnya. Ini alamat blognya http://membacakafka.blogspot.com/2007/11...)

Saat seorang manusia bermetamorfosis menjadi mahluk seperti itu, yang berantena, makan makanan busuk, pertanyaan tadi kembali mengemuka: "berapa besar toleransi cinta keluarganya pada diri Gregor Samsa yang berubah?" Ternyata ayahnya begitu cepat menjadi jijik pada dirinya. Ibunya malah pingsan melihat dirinya. Sedang adiknya yang semula masih jatuh kasihan, tapi lama-lama sekitar sebulan kemudian tak tahan dan akhirnya menangis. Bahkan kemudian ia meminta ayah dan ibunya melupakan bahwa mereka punya kakak bernama Gregor Samsa. Ketika akhirnya Gregor Samsa yang sudah berubah wujud itu mati, mereka merayakannya. Gila!

Inilah pergumulan pemikiran modern yang menjadi esensi karya ini sampai dikatakan fenomenal dan mengugah hati pembaca. Dikatakan demikian karena lewat karyanya Kafka menelanjangi kemanusiaan kita. Bahwa kemanusiaan kita adalah kemanusiaan yang egois, yang serba terbatas dan penuh pamrih, kemanusiaan yang bengis pada manusia lain (disimbolkan menjadi hewan) yang bisa jadi itu bukan salahnya. Bukankah bila tak suka pada orang lain, seringkali kita caci-maki dia dengan segala hinaan "kebinatangan"? Hewan hampir selalu kita anggap rendah, padahal belum tentu kejiwaan manusia itu jauh lebih baik dari hewan.

Soal hewan dan manusia ini, satu kali pernah ditulis Kafka pada temannya, Gustav Janouch: “...binatang dengan kita sebagai manusia itu hubungannya lebih dekat. Inilah terali penjara. Justru hubungan dengan sesama manusia menjauh, sebaliknya hubungan dengan binatang lebih mudah. Setiap manusia hidup dalam penjara. Dia harus paham lingkungannya, sebab itu sekarang banyak orang menulis tentang binatang. Ini sebagai bukti ada semacam kerinduan pada kehidupan yang bebas dan kehidupan di alam. Manusia terlalu banyak mengeluh, sehingga fantasinya perlu pembebasan diri.” Dan seperti itulah cara aku membaca karyanya ini.

Bahwa sebenarnya pada akhirnya kita tidak perlu merasa kasihan pada Gregor Samsa karena justru ialah yang "insan yang bebas" sedang keluarganya mulai dari ayah, ibu, dan Grete adiknya adalah insan-insan yang terpenjara dalam kemanusiaan. Manusia Gregor sampai akhir hayatnya terus menyatakan ketulusan cintanya pada keluarga, sedang manusia lain justru semakin lemah cintanya dan menyatakan keegoisannya.

Satu-satunya yang lemah dari buku ini adalah proses penerjemahannya. Semula aku cukup bahagia dengan cara Juni Liem mengawali dengan mulus penerjemahan kata pembuka buku cerita ini, tapi mulai dari tengah buku sampai akhir mungkin karena diburu-buru waktu dan tidak ketatnya editor bekerja, proses penerjemahannya banyak salah dan tidak nyaman untuk dibaca sama sekali.(less)

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Apr 11, 2008

Jason Williams rated it

Shelves: modernist-fiction

alien, alienation, alienate, alienated, dead vermin/jew

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Mar 24, 2008

bup rated it

Recommends it for: you

Shelves: 2008, audiobook, not-1001-but-the-list-is-stupid, novella

I didn't know what to expect - the central gimmick, of course, is a cultural touchstone - but I had no idea what Kafka did with it. "Come for the bug man, stay for the ..."?

Imagine if Dostoevsky decided to write a sci-fi.

It's odd. And it has humor. Especially in Part I. Really dry stuff. If I were a bug, I think my reaction would be along the lines of "AAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!! I'M A BUG!!! I'M A BUG!!!" but Gregor is more like, "Wow, the boss is NOT go...more

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Nov 10, 2009

Weinz rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I am privileged to have a beautiful commute every morning where I pass by a lake surrounded by oak covered golden hills, a very Steinbeck setting. There is a large bridge on this drive that has been a suicide favorite over the years. So, on my drive when I see anyone on the bridge I can’t help but become very concerned. There rarely is anyone on the bridge as it is in the middle of a forest and hard to get to. So this morning as I came upon the bridge I was a little grief stricken to see not o...more

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Jun 03, 2011

Guenda rated it

· review of another edition

Avendo letto questo libro in un pomeriggio, ho avuto modo di assimilare più rapidamente quello che Kafka voleva dire attraverso il suo libro-racconto "La metamorfosi".
Gregor Samsa, trasformato in insetto, è un personaggio che suscita tenerezza nel lettore quanto disgusto nei suoi genitori: è solo, e credo che questo sia proprio quello che Kafka voleva trasmettere.
Gregor è incapace di farsi capire dai suoi genitori, ma riesce a capirli perfettamente; vive relegato in una s...moreAvendo letto questo libro in un pomeriggio, ho avuto modo di assimilare più rapidamente quello che Kafka voleva dire attraverso il suo libro-racconto "La metamorfosi".
Gregor Samsa, trasformato in insetto, è un personaggio che suscita tenerezza nel lettore quanto disgusto nei suoi genitori: è solo, e credo che questo sia proprio quello che Kafka voleva trasmettere.
Gregor è incapace di farsi capire dai suoi genitori, ma riesce a capirli perfettamente; vive relegato in una stanza sporca e umida, ed è costretto a sfuggire al suo stesso padre che, in un attimo di follia, tenta di ucciderlo (riuscendoci). Questa non è altro che la reale condizione delle persone sole e incomprese: riescono a comprendere i propri simili molto facilmente, ma che fatica riuscire a farsi capire! E che sofferenza quando anche le persone più amate si rivelano nemiche, improvvisamente ostili per un mutamento di apparenze.
La cosa che mi ha colpito più di tutte è proprio l'atteggiamento della famiglia di Gregor, che è un'immagine attualissima dei vari gruppi di amici e di conoscenti. Tutto procede alla perfezione quando Gregor è un giovane lavoratore, ma non appena egli si trasforma in uno scarafaggio l'amore nei suoi confronti diminuisce, o perlomeno aumentano i pregiudizi e le paure nei suoi confronti: la madre lo rifugge, disgustata; il padre lo evita, irato. Solo la sorella Grete gli dà da mangiare e lo pulisce, anche se alla fine pure lei decide che è inutile continuare a far vivere il fratello.
Il padre, addirittura, in un momento di rabbia e disperazione gli lancia contro una mela che gli rimane conficcata nella schiena e che infine lo uccide.
L'immagine metaforica della famiglia si trasforma in quella dell'ipocrita per eccellenza: disponibile nei momenti di felicità, fuggevole in quelli di difficoltà. Tanto che, alla fine, i Samsa accolgono la morte di Gregor come una liberazione; e dopo un breve momento di dolore per la perdita di quello che dopotutto è sempre un figlio, i tre escono a fare una passeggiata. (less)

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Mar 29, 2010

Kate rated it

Shelves: 2010, age-adult, classics

I read this story online - it's available through Project Gutenberg or just a Google search. It's one of those classics I always wanted to read.

Gregor is a traveling salesman who supports his entire family, and he has just woken up to find that he is a beetle. Understandably, his family is a little freaked out. Gregor doesn't spend much time wondering why he has turned into a cockroach. He's more concerned because he can't go to work and worries about what his family will do with...more

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Jul 13, 2011

DC rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ebook-audiobook, five-star

(I have read, in particular, an edition that was translated by Ian Johnston.)

Let me start off by saying this: I have a deep aversion to insects, so I was rather squeamish while reading more than one passage here. Eeeeek.

I applaud the book for having been able to agitate me into learning more about it. I am also impressed on how simply narrated the circumstances were discussed-- from Gregor managing to adapt to his new life (from trying to get out of bed to hiding under the "...more(I have read, in particular, an edition that was translated by Ian Johnston.)

Let me start off by saying this: I have a deep aversion to insects, so I was rather squeamish while reading more than one passage here. Eeeeek.

I applaud the book for having been able to agitate me into learning more about it. I am also impressed on how simply narrated the circumstances were discussed-- from Gregor managing to adapt to his new life (from trying to get out of bed to hiding under the "coverlet") to Grete changing her stance from love to something probably akin to hate towards her brother. I was appalled by how human the family reacted to Gregor's new identity-- from fright to love to indifference to, finally, annoyance. (view spoiler)

(Warning: I may ramble from here on out. Beware.)

This book perplexed me. Not just in the fact that I have no idea on how the premise of the change of Gregor Samsa happened, but also in how the story progressed, from one chapter on to another. The ending certainly didn't help explain anything in the end.

The storytelling is, admittedly, great. I am held in suspense (and aversion) as I watch the interesting happenings in this story unfold. I am constantly wanting to question the author headlong about what so and so of such and such part of the book means, but I am always held back, lying in wait as Gregor himself does, patiently watching to see if my questions will at all be answered. I dare say that little, if any, have been answered to my satisfaction at all, by the time I got to the last few words.

One of the questions I'd so want to be answered is related to this: If 'metamorphosis' means a "process of change", then where oh where is the change that is being talked about here? I see Gregor's change, all right (I, in fact, cannot un-see that), but is that really the metamorphosis being talked about here? I personally believe it has something to do with the family... Maybe of Grete herself! Oh, how I would love to read more about this, if only to satisfy my curiosity about this book!

An interesting read, but I'm incredibly agitated by how unsatisfied I am by what I've read. Curious... Very curious.

(To satisfy my curiosity as much as I can, I took a look at Vladimir Nabokov's lecture on Kafka's The Metamorphosis here: http://victorian.fortunecity.com/vermeer... I am somewhat happy I read it :D)(less)

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Nov 25, 2009

Maria rated it

· review of another edition

A man wakes up one day to find he has been changed into a large insect/beetle. The story follows his efforts to deal with this, and his family's reaction to the change. But it's not just a story about a man turning into a beetle, it's a clever way of writing about how a family would deal with the main breadwinner in the house becoming unable to work, and also on a wider scope, the way a family (and the world at large) reacts to someone who is disabled, or terminally ill. It could also be an a...more

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Jun 24, 2008

Sinjinn rated it

strange ugly , not worth reading

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Jul 27, 2011

David rated it

The Metamorphosis can be read as a joke. Or, it can be read as study in family psychology. And it can just as easily be read as one of the most prophetic works of fiction written in the 20th century. It contains all of these dimensions, and others, which together partly account for its enduring literary power.

The premise of a man turning into an insect is itself notable in light of the conventions of 19th century literary realism that preceded Kafka. Kafka manages to narrate the inward experienc...moreThe Metamorphosis can be read as a joke. Or, it can be read as study in family psychology. And it can just as easily be read as one of the most prophetic works of fiction written in the 20th century. It contains all of these dimensions, and others, which together partly account for its enduring literary power.

The premise of a man turning into an insect is itself notable in light of the conventions of 19th century literary realism that preceded Kafka. Kafka manages to narrate the inward experience of a man-insect with the same controlled realism that he applies to the rest of the protagonist's family, thereby confusing the means (realism) with the object (the fantastical) and leaving the reader with a profound sense of unease.

Just as striking as the famous metamorphosis, however, is the parallel drama of the crisis, in a lower-middle-class family, introduced by Gregor's unemployment. Considerable attention is devoted to Gregor's pre-metamorphosis career as a salesman, his obligations, and his efforts to financially support his family. While Gregor's transformation is the direct source of great emotional stress, in practical terms it also forces each family member to completely rearrange their economic life.

Apart from the theme of metamorphosis, the subject of unemployment brought about by drastic incapacitation seems to point ahead to the films of early the Weimar period, from Blau Angel to Die letze Mann, which were preoccupied with the precariousness of petty bourgeois life in an age of economic instability.

From a strictly literary point of view, what amazes most about Kafka's novella is its ability to elicit genuine empathy for Gregor, the man-insect. Gregor's demise is a moving event, as is the demise of any true literary protagonist. The source of his transformation, in the course of the story, becomes less important that how it is responded to by those around him. And in that, the response to something previously loved and familiar that has suddenly become strange, sick, unrecognizable, hated, and -- in the eyes of those around him -- even unhuman, so much of the sad history of the 20th century is uncannily foretold.(less)

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Aug 22, 2009

Sofia rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Sofia by: André, Daniela

Shelves: classics

This was a surprise for me. I had never read Kafka even though it was recommended to me a lot of times, so I didn't know what to expect. Now I'm looking forward to reading his other works. This book is a little gem of insight into human behaviour, presented in a metaphor of alienation, like a darker version of one of Aesop's Fables.

One man wakes up one day and discovers he has turned into an insect. At first he can't quite come to terms with his new condition, and tries to ignore it ...moreThis was a surprise for me. I had never read Kafka even though it was recommended to me a lot of times, so I didn't know what to expect. Now I'm looking forward to reading his other works. This book is a little gem of insight into human behaviour, presented in a metaphor of alienation, like a darker version of one of Aesop's Fables.

One man wakes up one day and discovers he has turned into an insect. At first he can't quite come to terms with his new condition, and tries to ignore it and live his life the way he always has. Inevitably, the circumstances force him to change the way he acts, and unsure of how to react towards himself and his condition, he turns to his family, to whom he dedicates his life, for a reaction.

And this is where it becomes interesting. Their reactions seem, at the surface, understandable, even justified, but later reveal themselves to be selfish, self-centered and extremely cruel and unfair. It's easy to create a parallel between Gregor Samsa and anyone who has found him or herself alienated from society - be it a homeless person, or an old person confined to the bed by an illness... All the little actions, like talking without bothering to see if the "alien" understands it or not, the ill-disguised disgust, the forgetting of everything that person might have done for others, the wallowing in self-pity because they have to put up with that person, are perceived in all their cruelty.

It was also interesting to see how it was Gregor's transformation that turned his family, previously completely dependent upon him and unable to think of themselves as capable of providing for their own survival, into pro-active beings full of plans for the future. An ironic, and utterly sad metamorphosis indeed.

This is how I experienced the book, but it's open to interpretation, of course (I love it when books do that). I'm pretty sure my understanding of this book will change when I learn more about Kafka. Suffice to say it's a great little book and definitely worth the read.(less)

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Apr 08, 2009

The other John rated it

Shelves: classic, fantasy, schoolbook

One day, back in my youth, I decided to get me some culture. I was an avid science fiction fan and I had heard that there was this book--actual literature--about a man who turned into a cockroach. I determined to get a copy of that book and see how the author was able to transform such a concept into something that would be studied by university professors and the like. What fascinating cause did he devise for such a change? How deftly could he explain the biological differences between insect a...more

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May 09, 2008

Artnoose Noose rated it

I reread two selections from this book of short stories after not having read it in 15 years. The two stories I read were "The Metamorphosis" and "The Penal Colony."

My edition has more short stories than just "The Metamorphosis" so I'll talk about both short stories I read.

I was interested in rereading "The Metamorphosis" because I only learned after having read it the first time that it's a metaphor for being a writer. Gregor wake...more

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Dec 26, 2007

Christine Lee rated it

This is the utmost fascinating story of a terrifying metamorphosis into a giant bug that occurs to the protagonist one morning and of a consequent alienation from his family. Although depressing, Kafka portrays so realistically (and beautifully) the consequences that happen with a fate that the protagonist and his family do not arguably question- or fight. The eventual death gregor faces is devastating. I remember feeling much sympathy for the lonesome, giant monster that once was human- altho...more

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Mar 08, 2009

Siska Nurohmah rated it

Membaca kisahnya benar2 mengaduk-aduk perasaan. Tak tahan rasanya, suatu hari saat bangun pagi mendapati diri ini tak dikenali di rumah sendiri. Juga tak bisa mengeluarkan kata-kata yang bisa dimengerti, tak bisa menjelaskan keadaannya, hingga akhirnya si tokoh ini hanya membuat jijik keluarganya.

Jijik sekaligus takut. Bahkan diam2 mereka berharap si tokoh ini mati saja. Hanya kilasan norma saja yang membuat mereka menahan diri tak mengungkapkannya.

Ya, ia, si tokoh, dalam sem...more

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Mar 06, 2008

Austin rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Austin by: Nearly Everyone Else

Nearly everyone can relate to this story, and in many ways, this represents a much more pervasive human condition than a romance might present. But so often this story is read metaphorically, or symbolically. I remember, so vividly, imagining waking up to find yourself as a horrible insect, and how you would feel if that were to actually happen. That was what terrified me about this story, and still does when I think about it now.

Kafka did some other great stuff too, though, and t...more

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Dec 04, 2008

Miste rated it

I had to read this for one of my English classes in college. It was eye-opening the interpretation that the teacher had on the book and what it meant and why Kafka had written it. Very weird book though.

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Mar 10, 2011

دينا سليمان rated it

· review of another edition

وقد أنتوى أن يغرى أى زائر متردد على الدخول،أو أن يكتشف على الأقل من عساه أن يكون،إلا أن الباب لم يفتح قط ثانية،وضاع إنتظاره عبثاً، كانوا يريدون جميعا أن يدخلوا إليه فى ذلك الصباح الباكر،عندما كانت الأبواب مغلقة، والآن بعد أن فتح لهم أحد الأبواب بنفسه، وكان الآخر قد ظل مفتوحاً على مايبدوا طوال النهار لم يدخل أى منهم، وحتى المفاتيح كانت فى ثقوب الأبواب من الخارج

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About Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka (German pronunciation: [ˈfʀants ˈkafka]) was one of the major fiction writers of the 20th century. He was born to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, Bohemia (presently the Czech Republic), Austria–Hungary. His unique body of writing—much of which is incomplete and which was mainly published posthumously—is considered to be among the most influential in Western lite...moreFranz Kafka (German pronunciation: [ˈfʀants ˈkafka]) was one of the major fiction writers of the 20th century. He was born to a middle-class German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, Bohemia (presently the Czech Republic), Austria–Hungary. His unique body of writing—much of which is incomplete and which was mainly published posthumously—is considered to be among the most influential in Western literature.

His stories include The Metamorphosis (1912) and In the Penal Colony (1914), while his novels are The Trial (1925), The Castle (1926) and Amerika (1927).

Kafka learned German as his first language, but he was also fluent in Czech. Later, Kafka acquired some knowledge of French language and culture; one of his favorite authors was Flaubert.

Kafka first studied chemistry at the Charles-Ferdinand University of Prague, but switched after two weeks to law. This offered a range of career possibilities, which pleased his father, and required a longer course of study that gave Kafka time to take classes in German studies and art history. At the university, he joined a student club, named Lese- und Redehalle der Deutschen Studenten, which organized literary events, readings and other activities. In the end of his first year of studies, he met Max Brod, who would become a close friend of his throughout his life, together with the journalist Felix Weltsch, who also studied law. Kafka obtained the degree of Doctor of Law on 18 June 1906 and performed an obligatory year of unpaid service as law clerk for the civil and criminal courts.

Kafka's writing attracted little attention until after his death. During his lifetime, he published only a few short stories and never finished any of his novels, unless "The Metamorphosis" is considered a (short) novel. Prior to his death, Kafka wrote to his friend and literary executor Max Brod: "Dearest Max, my last request: Everything I leave behind me ... in the way of diaries, manuscripts, letters (my own and others'), sketches, and so on, [is] to be burned unread." Brod overrode Kafka's wishes, believing that Kafka had given these directions to him specifically because Kafka knew he would not honor them—Brod had told him as much. Brod, in fact, would oversee the publication of most of Kafka's work in his possession, which soon began to attract attention and high critical regard.

Max Brod encountered significant difficulty in compiling Kafka's notebooks into any chronological order as Kafka was known to start writing in the middle of notebooks, from the last towards the first, etc.

All of Kafka's published works, except several letters he wrote in Czech to Milena Jesenská, were written in German.(less)

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Quotes from The Metamorphosis

“As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.” — 102 people liked it

“What am I doing here in this endless winter?” — 16 people liked it

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