LF3 - Lesson: The Function of Narrator

A painting of Sisyphus, pushing a boulder uphill. At the end of every day, the boulder would roll back down again.The Function of Plot and Structure

Introduction

In Kafka's The Metamorphosis, the narrative perspective is crucial in conveying the surreal and unsettling atmosphere of the story. The use of detailed and vivid descriptions, coupled with a precise and detached tone, reveals the narrator's perspective, emphasizing the absurdity of Gregor's transformation. The carefully chosen details, diction, and syntax work together to immerse the reader in the subjective experience of Gregor and his family, creating a narrative lens that heightens the sense of isolation and existential angst.

Image note: to the right, we see the painting Sisyphus by Franz Stuck, painted in 1920. This character from Greek mythology was punished by having to push a boulder uphill. At the end of every day, the boulder would roll back down again. The story, and Stuck's painting, embody some of the themes of the absurdist philosophy.

Absurdism in Kafka's The Metamorphosis

Much of the thematic potency in Kafka's work derives from his adeptness at portraying a wholly absurd scenario with a matter-of-fact and dry tone. This approach not only amplifies the ludicrous nature of the situation but also intensifies the profound sense of isolation and existential angst experienced by the characters. Kafka's narrative technique serves to underscore the inherent irrationality of the events, inviting readers to grapple with the absurdities of the human condition.

Practice Activity

Read each of the three quotations that discuss Gregor’s transformation, and then consider how this description helps to convey the absurdity of his situation. Take a moment to write out your thoughts before checking your answers with the suggested commentary below. How close were your responses to the suggested answers? What are your overall thoughts on absurdity as a fictional device?

  1. "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect."
  2. "What happened to me?" he thought. It wasn't a dream. His room, a proper room for a human being, only somewhat too small, lay quietly between the four well-known walls."
  3. "I will make inquiries at once. Just wait a moment."

Final Thoughts

The transformative power of Kafka's tone and diction in The Metamorphosis lies in their ability to imbue the absurd situations with a matter-of-fact and detached quality, intensifying the surreal nature of the narrative and accentuating the profound disconnection between the characters and the inexplicable events unfolding.

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