The Metamorphosis
By Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis includes several contrasts: selfishness vs. self-sacrifice, loyalty vs. betrayal,
rejection/alienation vs. acceptance/compassion. Explain how one of these contrasts is the topic of
a theme in the story, citing examples to support your analysis.
Historical Perspective:
Franz Kafka grew up in Prague, a Czech city within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, during a
period of intense social, economic, and political conflict. Ethnic tensions between Czechs and
Germans and between Czechs and Jews were common in Prague. As a Jew, Kafka identified
more with the German-speaking elite than the Russian-speaking Czech majority. Among the
German community, however, Jews were not readily accepted. When Kafka was fourteen, these
tensions erupted into anti-Semitic riots. In addition to these social tensions, Kafka would have
witnessed the consequences of the Industrial Revolution during his lifetime. As one of the most
advanced and prosperous cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Prague attracted large numbers
of migrants, who left the countryside to work under harsh conditions in factories and offices.
Finally, Kafka became a well-known critic of the rise of totalitarianism in Europe.
Drawing from your knowledge of early twentieth century European history, write a wellstructured and well-supported essay to analyze “Metamorphosis” from a historical lens.
Choose ONE of the first three historical situations (#1-3), and write a thesis that responds to the
last point (#4).
1. Describe how industrialization in Prague - harsh working conditions and meaningless
drudgery – is reflected in Gregor’s life.
2. Describe how social tensions prior to and during WWI - the feeling of discrimination
and isolation throughout early twentieth century Europe and in Prague – is reflected
in Gregor’s life.
3. Discuss how Kafka uses characters and events in the story to criticize totalitarianism
in this story.
4. Based on your historical analysis, what conclusions can you draw about Kafka’s
purpose for turning Gregor into a dung beetle in The Metamorphosis?