Reality versus Fantasy

Magical Realism is presented in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” when the magical occurrence happens in reality. The Gregor Samza’s physical metamorphosis into a giant dung beetle is a fantastic situation. The detailed descriptions of his physical transformation from human to a bug shows that it is impossible to happen in reality: “He would have needed arms and hands to hoist himself up; instead he had only the numerous little legs which never stopped waving in all directions…” (92) Besides Gregor’s transformation, the setting, the relationship between Gregor and his family, his emotions, and motivations makes this story remain connected with reality.

I consider that Gregor morphs into a bug, but only physically not internally. In Part One of the story, Kafka spends in great detail to describe Gregor's physical struggle with his new body form. Gregor find his transformed body difficult to adjust: he spends great time and effort in getting himself up and out of bed. Here is one of his attempts to leave his bed but he falls on the ground instead: “ [he] grew almost rigid, while his little legs only jigged about all the faster…Gregor swung himself out of bed with all his strength. There was a loud thump, but it was not really a crash.” (95) The story's emphasis on Gregor’s difficulties in controlling his bug-like body makes it obvious that his body actually went through metamorphosis.

Despite Gregor’s physical transformation, his human state of mind remains. Gregory’s action still convey his human personalities and qualities. Soon after he wakes up and discovers that he had transformed into a bug-like form. However, he does not seem to be overwhelmed by the situation or surprised by the magical occurrence. Instead his mind filled with profound thoughts as he worries that he is about to miss his work. Moreover, during his whole process of getting out of his bed, his main goal is to avoid alarming his family member by making the least disturbance possible. Base on Gregor’s action, it proves that he is not a bug internally. Because Gregor, unlike a bug, he is not concern about his survival and safety, but he weights his family and his job to be more important. Gregor’s submissive personality remains shows his psyche has not change by the metamorphosis.

Metamorphasis does not only happen to Gregor. Since Gregor turned into a bug, his family go through changes. The greatest difference is happened to Gregor’s sister, Grete. Before Gregor’s transformation, she is loving and caring. In the family, she is the only one who shows affection and sympathy toward her brother. She offers to help to keep his room clean and to provide for his meal. Everyday, she would care about his appetite. She takes notice and keeps track of the amount of food Gregor’s eats every meal. However, as time goes on, not only she grows tired of taking care of Gregor, she turns hostile towards him. At the end, she reaches a breaking point and propose to get rid of her brother entirely. Since Gregor’s metamorphosis, Grete slowly treats and views Gregor like a bug, same as the way his mother and father alienated him.