Metamorphosis was in the text book of high school. My vague memory didn’t remember any details of the story after all back in high school literature was not a popular class. I ashamed of myself for the empty head and ignorance toward those greatest works. I deluged myself into masterpieces recent years and quickly they became the center of my down time and the harbor of my spirit. After a few books, there was a weak voice inside - writing down the feelings and thoughts, the resonance of great works! The voice rose higher and higher to be heard above din. I obeyed the voice and sat down before the computer.
Finished Metamorphosis two hours ago, the book still strongly grasped my breath and my mind. A good book arouses your deepest thought and never slips out your mind.
The protagonist was Gregor Samsa, who was the son of Herr and Frau Samsa and the brother of Grate Samsa, the only income source of the family and supporting a well above-average living standard by his job in a finance/accounting company. He never called for sick leave and appeared at work on time every single day until one day he transformed into a Beatle. Karfka didn’t give the monster a name but based on the description, I think it was like a huge Beatle. From then, the world changed drastically and my heart saddened and my hope vanished as I continue flipping pages.
A clerk - Gregor’s manager’s eyes and ears - appeared in Gregor’s home one hour after his normal starting time at work when Gregor was struggling to maneuver his new body to get out of the bed in order to go to work. The clerk showed no interest/care to understand why Gregor was suddenly absent, criticized his reckless behavior and warned the he would lose his job.
When Beatle finally got himself out of the bed and managed to open the door. Everyone was terrified! Clerk, self-equipped with the great power of hiring and firing, scared to death, ran backward with eyes fixed on Beatle, scared of Groger’s attack from back. Jobs/employers are apparently weakest connection in life and abandon a malfunctioning employee at once without any sympathy though they often deem themselves as God/Savor to their employees.
His father threw apples at Gregor to push him back to his bedroom. His mother showed some soft sympathy at the first sight of the giant Beatle, but leapt far away as Gregor approached her. Since then, his parents never even tried to draw close to Gregor, to listen to him or understand his needs after transforming into a Beatle. His parents lived on Gregor’s income for years became strangers and acted rudely toward him. As I kept reading, I badly hoped his parents would overcome the fear of Gregor’s appearance, resume their normal connections, found their courage back to love their son and appreciated all his selfless efforts in the past. However, I was deeply hurt at the end. Gregor’s parents found jobs and started living on their own. A tough day never made them have a second thought on how tough a day Gregor’s life had been and had become. Gregor became a burden instead of a son who needs care.
Grete, his sister, was the only one who had the courage to come to his bedroom. She was a teenager. Instead of saying courage, it is more proper to say - driven by childish curiosity. She brought him food and water, and changed varieties to see which Gregor likes the most. She checked on Gregor twice a day, though she didn’t dare to walk close to Beatle and Gregor usually covered himself with lien or hides under sofa to ease his sister. Grete with her mother’s help moved furniture out of Gregor’s room in order for Gregor to climb on walls smoothly. But as days went on, Grete paid less and less attention to his brother, indifferent to his changes. The apple stuck on his back rotten badly and caused inflammation. Beatle hadn’t eaten for a long time and became fairly weak. Grete cleaned up the untouched food every day but didn’t give a thought. Day after day, she cared less and less of her brother. One day when she wasn’t politely treated by two tenants who rented a room of their apartment, Gregory, though very weak he was, stood out to protect his sister. However, his good intentions had been misunderstood. At last, it was her sister who said, Beatle was just a monster, not Gregor and suggested her parents to get rid of the animal! Gregor used up his last strength, flew out the last air from his body after returning to his room, died! His parents and sister were so released, took day off from work to rejoice and together visioned the prosperous future.
We are always told love exists and love is unconditional. It is undeniable that brutal facts slammed us in face and demonstrated love is the most fragile! We are nobody’s somebody. Don’t attach yourself to another life. Overcome obstacles, strengthen yourself and love yourself most! Have a powerful mind and a power body!
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