The world of literature has always intrigued one and all with the sheer quintessence of art and aesthetics. The readers from all the corners of the globe have been immersed in the aesthetic charm and affective appeal of the literary works of the literary artists who have proved their genius though their unparalleled portraiture and content that have left an immortal mark in the very innermost core of thee hearts of the avid readers. The history of literature goes on to document the works of many such stalwarts who have left the readers stirred to the core. James Joyce and Franz Fafka are two very eminent authors whose literary works have received the accolades of the critics and readers alike. A close introspection of the short story, Araby, by Joyce, and The Metamorphosis, by Fafka, would make it clear to one and all how the authors delve deep into the psyche of the characters and exude the use of powerful literary devices to communicate with the readers of their works.
Franz Fafka goes on to focus on the theme of the absurdity of life in the short story. The Metamorphosis goes on to deal with the irrational event- something that points to the fact that the universe is chaotic and random in nature. In an expression of immense absurdity, Gregor wakes up on day to discover that he has got transformed into this giant insect. This transformation is obviously beyond the borders of any sort of natural occurrence and is physically impossible in the world. But, the supernatural significance of the transformation never gets explicated in the course of the story by Fafka. (Assemism) Also, the author never goes on to point to the fact if the protagonist of the story really deserves the fate. The members of the family and the story itself treat the occurrence as a random one. Thus, the story is rendered a sense of absurdity- something that implies the fact that the universe functions sans and order, justice or governing system.
The transformation of Gregor goes on to alter is outward appearance. However, his mind remains the same, and thus creates a lack of harmony or discord between the body and the mind of Gregor. On the day of his transformation, he first endeavors to stand upright although he is not permitted by his physical structure. He even thinks of going to work, in spite of being unable to do so. One has to understand the fact that Gregor continues to cognize like a human even long after his body has changed. Thus, he finds himself in a situation where he is unable to reconcile the dichotomy between the mind and the body. However, as he starts to get accustomed to the transformed body, the mind also starts to change in accordance to the desires and needs of the body. Nevertheless, the total harmony between the mind and the body in his case is never reached.
As he gets metamorphosed, the members of his family go on to struggle with their emotions of sympathy as well as revulsion toward Gregor. The readers come to find that both his mother and Grete have a great deal of sympathetic emotion for Gregor as they feel that some essence of his humanity is still preserved in spite of the physical transformation. However, the sympathy of the family members gets diminished with time. With time, Grete becomes revolted and upset by Gregor’s appearance that she cannot even stand to be in the same room as Gregor. Even his mother is simply horrified by Gregor, and she even faints on one instance. It can be opined that the most importance consequence of the metamorphosis of Gregor is the psychological distance that gets created between him and his family. Thus, he gets distanced from humanity as a whole and is simply left imprisoned in his room. (Delahoyde) One has to understand the fact that in the eyes of humans, humanity and human nature is equated with physical appearance, and the family members stop considering his innate human nature with time. The title of the story is also indicative of the aspirations, wishes and targets of humans as the family’s focus shifts gradually from Gregor to the other issues to finally his sister who has as future in their eyes. The story documents the metamorphosis of the human minds placing them in juxtaposition to the metamorphosis of Gregor.
James Joyce’s Araby is a short story that delves deep into the desirous mind of a young boy who longs for escape and adventure. The world of the young boy revolves round his object of desire, this girl, for whom he is willing to go to any extent. One has to understand that the very title of the story is suggestive of escapism. The erotic desires of the boy go on to link themselves with his fantastic world that lies in store in the Orientalist bazaar that he wishes to explore. Thus, he goes on to dream of getting a nice romantic gift for the girl of his desires. This short story embodies the transformation of an innocent mind that comes to experience the harsh reality of life. The bazaar works as the emblem for the harsh reality of the adult world. The boy fails to navigate in the world that is in no way congruous with the beliefs of an innocent mind. Thus, the boyish fantasies of the protagonist of the short story go on to be shattered by the reality of life and existence in the city of Dublin.
The main theme of the short story in context is frustration. One has to understand that the protagonist nurtures in his tender heart many romantic ideas about the girl of his desire and also the event that he is aiming to attend on her behalf. However, on the night when he waits for his uncle to return so that he can leave for the destination, the avid readers can very well sense his surmounting frustration. (The Literary Link) He first goes on to fear that it might be impossible for him to go to the market at all. However, when he finally reaches the market, most of the shops have already closed down. The readers comprehend that this market is kind of a tawdry shadow of the dreams nurtured by the young boy of the story. The protagonist soon finds out that any good gift is quite beyond his buying capability. It is understandable from the housing situation of the boy and the sum given by his uncle that the boy does not live in affluence. However, now he stands in a situation where the harshness of reality thwarts his realm of dreams that makes him believe in the ideal. He comes to comprehend the fact that he is simply a prisoner of the modest ways of the city of Dublin. Thus, his boyish innocence is mutilated by the impediments and realities of the world, and he finds himself standing amidst the harshness of life and existence away from his world of ideals.
Thus, one can opine that both the short stories document the transformation of the human mind as the characters go on to experience the real scenarios of life. While Gregor faces the alienation of his family owing to his physical transformation, the boy in Joyce’s story is left unguarded all alone with his priceless dreams shattered in front of his eyes. Gregor’s family’s psyche and focus sees a transformation with time as they become oblivious of their son whom they strip of the last bit of human nature by isolation and oblivion. On the other hand, Joyce’s protagonist has his dreams standing in stark juxtaposition to the reality of life. In this way, both the stories in context are explorations into the minds of the individuals portrayed, and the literary works document how the world and events change the way people see life. The stories portray how the priorities and perspectives change with time and situations in life. Both the authors exude their literary quintessence in exploring the unchartered territories of the human mind to communicate with the avid readers and stir their hearts.
Works Cited
“Analysis of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka.” In Assemism. Wordpress.com, 6 Oct.
2012. Web. 27 June 2015.
Delahoyde, Michael. “Kafka, The Metamorphosis.” In Washington State University
website. Wsu.edu., n.d. Web. 27 June 2015.
“Sample Essays Analyzing James Joyce's Short Story "Araby."” In The Literary Link.
Theliterarylink.com, n.d. Web. 27 June 2015.
