Admittedly, Kafka’s Metamorphosis is one of the most outstanding literary works. Many ideas come across the reader’s mind. It is necessary to note that the idea of the triumph of the self is one of the last ideas that can appear in some readers’ minds. However, on second thoughts, it becomes obvious that the novel is really about the man’s triumph.
The story starts with the man’s dissatisfaction with his work and his entire life. The man does not like his job as a salesman. The reader cannot but agree that Gregor Samsa, the novel’s protagonist, has a rather meaningless life. Therefore, it is possible to assume that the man’s transformation is a symbol of his understanding.
Thus, he finally understands that his life is meaningless, and the man cannot fit the world, which becomes hostile to him. Of course, death is not the most winning option for a man. However, in Gregor’s case, the man did not have another choice. He could not realize himself in any other way. The only thing left was to die.
It is possible to note that there is one more literary work that has the same theme. Kate Chopin’s story “The Story of an Hour” dwells upon a woman who is not happy. Just like Gregor, the woman suddenly understands that there is no meaning in her life. When she hears that her husband is dead, she obtains hope that she can change her life and make it meaningful. However, soon she loses this hope as the man is alive. Chopin sees only one way out. Just like Kafka, she ‘kills’ her protagonist. Chopin suggests that death could be the only way to realize self for that woman at that period of time.