Annotated Bibliography
Kafka’s The Metamorphosis
Dizenzo, Charles, and Franz Kafka. The Metamorphosis: A Dramatization of the Kafka
Story. New York: Dramatists Play Service, 1977. Print.
The book gives the whole story of the metamorphosis, and the content is incorporated into seven sections. The first section introduces the story by telling how Gregor Samsa transformed into a cockroach. Gregor says that he is dreaming and he must dream again so that he can be transformed again but unfortunately he remains a cockroach. The whole story is narrated in other sections and the reader learns that the story has a deeper meaning as it touches not only the life of the Gregor but also the life of the family members and their selfish purposes.
Bloom, Harold. Franz Kafka's the Metamorphosis. New York: Bloom's Literary Criticism,
- Internet resource.
The book reviews the metamorphosis and it focuses on the interpretation of the change. Bloom (1) assert that the critical literature of the story is wide-ranging as it touches various subjects such as isolation and alienation, rebellion, among others. This source finds a deeper meaning of the story and asserts that Gregor's transformation is a symbolism of spiritual transformation. The transformation does not only affect his physical integrity but it also affects his identity. The transformation is likened to an illness that damages one's self-perception and other's perception. The authors also assert that Gregor's deadly transformation also makes other people experience terrible sufferings.
Kafka Franz. The Metamorphosis: Literary Touchstone. Prestwick House Inc, 2005
The book reviews the Kafka's Metamorphosis using the theme of existentialism. The authors assert that existentialism will help understand the Gregor life, his existence, freedom and his meaning in life. During the 19th century, the philosophy on existentialism asserted that individuals have free choice to believe in what is true. However, the individualism and self-determination make a person ignore interaction with other people, and as a result, a person suffers from anxiety. The book relates the existentialism with Gregor life and states that Gregor has a free choice but relies on the existentialist ideal.
Kohzadi, Hamedreza, Fatemeh Azizmohammadi, and Mahboubeh Nouri. "A study of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis." Journal of Basic and Applied Science Research 2.2 (2012): 1600-1607.
The purpose of this article is to review ‘The Metamorphosis' using existential and psychological allegories so that the reader can understand how the theme of alienation covers the whole story. The article tastes that when Gregor is transformed into a ‘monstrous vermin', he is seen as an unclean animal and unnatural being. Gregor lives an independent life and he alienates himself from the family. The article asserts that Gregor experiences a fundamental crisis that is based on freedom and one's responsibility. The article will go deeper to discuss the mysterious forces that overwhelm Gregor's life.
Minar, Karla Sharin, and Anton Sutandio. "Shame and alienation in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis." Jurnal POETIKA5.2 (2017): 123-133.
In this article, Minar and Sutandio (1) explore the theme of shame and alimentation. They assert that Gregor feels that he is judged by others and as a result, he developed shame and low self-esteem. He concentrates on how the family members treat him and become selfless. All the problems Gregor encounter emerges from within and failure to accept his condition affects his mental and physical ability.
Rowe, Michael. "Metamorphosis: defending the human." Literature and Medicine 21.2 (2002): 264-280.
In his article, Rowe (1) asserts that Gregor Samsa is the family breadwinner. As Gregor is transformed into an insect, the family's reaction is characterized by shock, grief, anger, and disgust. The reactions force the family to neglect him. The purpose of the article is to discuss how human beings especially the family members can defend a person's humanity. The author asserts that in times of changes like these, caregivers may experience horror and disgust, however, the caregivers should control the negatives feelings to avoid cruel acts.
Hung, Ruyu. “Caring About Strangers: A Lingisian Reading of Kafka’s Metamorphosis.” Educational Philosophy & Theory, vol. 45, no. 4, Apr. 2013, pp. 436–447. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/00131857.2012.718102.
Hung (437) reviews the Kafka's Metamorphosis and employs the Alphonso Lingis's view to assert that there is no distinction between one's community and other communities. Thus, one should care about a stranger and show equal respect and inclusion. Focusing on the Kafka's Metamorphosis, the author's looks at the nature of life and offers a discussion on caring for the strangers.
Rhodes, Carl, and Robert Westwood. “The Limits of Generosity: Lessons on Ethics, Economy, and Reciprocity in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis.” Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 133, no. 2, Jan. 2016, pp. 235–248. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1007/s10551-014-2350-1.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the ethical relations in organizations. The article focuses on reciprocity and generosity as ethics that are radically different. The Metamorphosis story is employed to discuss the Gregor and his family. In this story, the issue of ethics is questioned since as Gregor is transformed he is seen as non-human. The story is connected with the organizational settings to understand the ethics in business.
Sadigh, Micah. “The Nightmare of Becoming Human: Metaphors and Reflections For Individuals In Search of Authentic Self.” Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, vol. 28, no. 2, July 2017, pp. 362–373. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=124558972&site=ehost-live.
The purpose of this article is to examine the difficulties individual go through in trying to embrace one's self. The transformation that Gregor encounters in permanent and as a result, he feels that he is alone, insignificant, and meaningless. He gains self-consciousness and starts to question himself about his existence. He lacks self-knowledge and he does not understand who he is. The article plays a significant role in reminding people that they should acknowledge other's condition, and from the union so that the person in a problem can gain self-discovery and self-consciousness.
