1. Die Verwandlung, or The Metamorphosis
Franz Kafka
Die Verwandlung, or
The Metamorphosis

2. Biography
Born in 1883 in Prague Three sisters (Gabriele’89, Valerie ‘90, and Ottilie ‘92) Germanic Jew- Ashkenazi, spoke German with Czech accent, wrote in German with Yiddish and Czech influence (translation questions) Studied law at German university in Prague and received doctorate in 1906 Max Brod, fellow university classmate, very influential/controversial figure

3. Biography
Worked for Italian insurance company, rose in ranks, wrote on the side.
Interested in alternative lifestyles: vegetarianism, eastern medicine
Many lovers, several engagements
Issues:
Self-esteem
Conflict with father
Health-tuberculosis

4. Movements and Influence
Modernist- experimental and surreal
Expressionist- Presentation of the world from subjective perspective
Existentialist- analysis of human existence in an unfathomable universe
Camus and Sartre were influenced by his works
“Kafkaesque” describes surreal situations

5. The Metamorphosis
Story of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a “vermin”
Surreal yet realistic in its visual imagery
Subtexts:
Family conflict
Alienation
Frustration with bureaucracy