i cannot make you understand. i cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. i cannot even explain it to myself.

 Metamorphosis

Franz Kafka

    The whole family is in the rush of Onam and here I am writing another review.The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a modernist novella that leaves a deep mark on the reader. In this story, we step into the life of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a gigantic insect, my guess and imagination-a cockroach. What follows is not just the tale of a shocking transformation, but an exploration of alienation, family duty, and the fragility of human relationships.

    The narrative takes us through Gregor’s gradual realization of his condition and the heartbreaking reactions of his family. Once the provider of the household, Gregor now becomes a burden, hidden away in his room, avoided, and eventually rejected. Kafka’s writing captures both the physical horror of Gregor’s situation and the quiet tragedy of his emotional isolation. At the beginning we see a caring sister who eventually transforms into a backstabber.

    What makes this novella powerful is not only the strangeness of the plot, but the way it reflects real human experiences—feeling unseen, unappreciated, or discarded when one no longer fulfills society’s expectations. The story is written in third person, but it closely follows Gregor’s thoughts, which makes the reader experience both his confusion and his despair.

    It’s not just a story about a man turning into an insect, but about what it means to be human—how fragile love and acceptance can be, and how society often values people only for their usefulness. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy thought-provoking, symbolic stories that challenge the way we see life and relationships.

Here are some of my favorite quotes :

    "I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself."

    "How about if I sleep a little bit longer and forget all this nonsense"

    "He thought back on his family with deep emotion and love. His conviction that he would have to disappear was, if possible, even firmer than his sister's. He remained in this state of empty and peaceful reflection until the tower clock struck three in the morning. He still saw that outside the window everything was beginning to grow light. Then, without his consent, his head sank down to the floor, and from his nostrils streamed his last weak breath."

    "Calm —indeed the calmest— reflection might be better than the most confused decisions"

    "The sister played so beautifully. Her face was tilted to one side and she followed the notes with soulful and probing eyes. Gregor advanced a little, keeping his eyes low so that they might possibly meet hers. Was he a beast if music could move him so?"

Thank You for Reading!!