The Insect Mentality-Joshua Naqvi

 

    The "Metamorphosis" was saddening to read. I felt immense pain when reading of Gregor's decline and eventual demise. After many hours of pondering, I still have not determined exactly what the overall theme of the piece is. However, I do have a hypothesis of what the theme could potentially be. "Metamorphosis" is a story about the balance between work and family life. In Gregor's case he had a very unbalanced work/life balance. Although Gregor suddenly finds himself to have the form of an insect , I think he has mentally been one for years. Why do I make such a claim? The second he awakens all he thinks about is work. He is afraid to miss his train, afraid of the boss, worried about his image at work, etc. He recalls to himself from page two to five, all the work he has done and continues to have to do. One might think he would be concerned about his family, but this is not the case.  He is concerned about providing for them. Gregor is revealed on page ten to be the provider in his family. He has been working for years in order that his family may have a comfortable life. He is so involved in his work, that he no longer is around his family. This is the dilemma of the major provider in a family, do they not have to provide financial support for those they love? Yet, what happens when their desire to provide overrides their desire to spend quality time with those around them? In Gregor's case this means he has in a sense, acted like an insect long before he physically became one. Gregor spent years scurrying to work, scavenging for business compliments, hiding under the pressing deadlines, and burrowing himself in the dark encompasses of his never ending tasks. Gregor has had what I define as an "Insect Mentality" for years. 

    I feel as though I must mention the change he went through mentally. Gregor's mind went from being insect like, to becoming more humane. This is seen later in the piece, the last ten pages or so. He no longer is obsessing over work, instead he is remembering. Gregor remembers times long ago. He remembers times spent with his family, Christmases, a girl he once courted, and other aspects of his life left untouched for several years. The tragic truth of the matter is that he has missed his chance to have such things again. I will theorize however, that he would have missed them, insect form or not. This is the case because he did not start to think about non-work related things until having been an insect for months. He had to be forced to stop working to see what was around him. If he was still human in form he may never have stopped his ambitions. He would have continued separating  himself from those around him and remained blind to it. Gregor would die an insect either way. So, what does that imply for the reader? Life is short. Often times, we work tirelessly because of good intentions. Perhaps we want success, to provide for others, to simply pass an exam, or a plethora of other things. However, all of us must be vigilant to not end up like Gregor, where we trade our very humanity in order to be efficient. There is nothing wrong with being passionate about work, but such passion must not cause apathy towards the other aspects of life, otherwise, we too will develop the mentality of an insect. 

I Commented On 

Hailey Walsh

Emmett Bryant