The idea of metamorphosis – a full or partial transformation of a person into a creature – is often met in various books and films and appeared long ago. In course of time, the notion of metamorphosis has changed and gained new meanings and forms of expression that can be traced on the examples of Franz Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis, that is dated back to the year 1915, and a quite modern film Spider-Man directed by Sam Raimi. But, unfortunately, these changes and alterations in the human are not always acceptable by the society.
Metamorphoses usually consist in acquiring characteristics, appearances and abilities of an animal or a total conversion into it. People are fascinated with this idea, as since the beginning of an era a human being was at pains imitating an animal and was jealous of the capacities of one of the other animal. The tribes chose a totem to worship, engineers created planes and helicopters to fly like a bird, ships and boats to conquer the oceans and submarines to reach the depth that only some species of fish can get at. But not only this was a reason to such obsession with the idea of metamorphosis. People observed the nature since the beginning of life on the planet and noticed that nearly everything undergoes the transformation – the egg becomes a bird, the seed becomes a tall tree and a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly. These observations gradually reflected in ancient myths and legends, where mighty gods have an ability to transform into wild animals, books and poems by Ovid and Kafka and finally, into comic books and films about superheroes that people are so obsessed nowadays with.
Therefore, it seems that metamorphoses should be appreciated and acceptable by the society, but unfortunately, they produce an opposite effect. Some people believe that transformation can take place only in an imagery world and must not take place in the real life. This idea is depicted in the novella The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. Without a smooth preparation of the reader to the alteration of Gregor Samsa, the author just throws it in the face of the reader with the very first sentence: “[] he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin”. (Kafka, 12) Such immediate metamorphosis without the explanation of its cause and purpose bewilders the reader and the image of a giant insect causes disgust. But Gregor himself seems not to be worried about his new state and hurries to his work, as the train leaves at five. But the members of his family and colleges have a different opinion. The clerk, his “hand pressed against his open mouth”, staggered back as “if driven by a steady and invisible force”, the mother screamed and the father gave “him a hefty shove from behind” that hurt Gregor. (Kafka, 21) Indeed, the change that happened to him was not accepted by the people around. The appearance of Gregor was abominable and a disability to understand his language made them scared. However, Gregor accepted the change as something that was about to happen. He was tired of his regular life and a career of a travelling salesman. He reckons: “what a strenuous career it is that I've chosen! Travelling day in and day out. [] It can all go to Hell!” (Kafka, 12) So, he quickly adjusted to the new conditions: “he began to feel alright with his body; the little legs had the solid ground under them”. (Kafka, 26)
The story of Peter Parker bears a resemblance to Gregor Samsa’s. Being a simple and smart chap wearing glasses and that is why unpopular student at school, Peter was often a victim of mocking and bullying. He was not a muscled sportsman; his parents abandoned him as a child and could not get along with the girl he liked so much – Mary Jane. So, it may be summarized that whole his life was a disaster, like Gregor Samsa’s. After being bit by a radioactive spider, Peter noticed some changes that happened to him. His body acquired new abilities – cling to walls, perfect balance, superhuman reflexes and the ability to produce a spider web. Moreover, he became stronger, faster, and more agile, his eyesight became better as well as is confidence. That is why he was not unhappy because of such changes and they did not bring him a discomfort as an armour-like back and tiny legs that bothered Samsa. Peter Parker as well as Gregor Samsa could not cope with his new capacities at once and needed some time to adjust to them and understand to what extension he can develop them. Peter, being a kindhearted and always ready to give a helping hand, applied his powers only in order to be of a good use for the society. All in all, at the beginning not all the citizens of New York treated him as helpful and not dangerous.
A great difference between Gregor and Peter is in their desire to announce their metamorphosis to the people around. Peter tried to hide his abilities, although, used them for good things, and Gregor, vice versa, was reaching out to the others, especially his sister Grete, who was the only one to take care of her brother.
Work Cited
Kafka, Franz, and David Wyllie. Metamorphosis. Oxford: Benediction Classics, 2011. Print.
