The Metamorphosis

Some people can succeed because of their inborn talents and genetics more than others can. Some of these things are predetermined by being born into a certain body or with a certain mind, or even into a culture that sees the way you are as more important than others. It's a whole conversation to then talk about how much responsibility the gifted among us have of carrying the others around them that aren't as fortunate. But this fortune has the ability to be torn away in a second. Sometimes by things in the gifted person's control. Things like substance addiction, infidelity, and physical abuse. But also, sometimes through no fault of their own: a horrible accident, a chronic illness, simple old age. What happens when the person carrying the people around them on their back is not able to anymore? It's a question that Kafka goes into with The Metamorphosis, as our main character Gregor is transformed into a bug and cannot continue to financially support his family. Resentment and despair overtake his family. They are also forced into becoming hard working, exhausted, versions of themselves that they didn't need to be while Gregor was supporting them; this came at the cost of any semblance of liking for Gregor, as they eventually unite in their hate for him and what he had become. This is a cautionary tale that doesn't say great things about how humans repay tireless and hard work by individuals close in their lives. I'm reminded of the horse in Animal Farm that works himself to death and has nothing to show for it in the end. This novella is unbearably sad to me. It rang as powerful; though it will stick in my mind for a long time, I can already tell.

Read Primarily Because: Over 1 million ratings challenge / Disturbing books project.