The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka was written in 1912. It served as a depiction of his negative life experiences. It was published in 1915, Kafka read a section of this short story to his friends in November 1912.
Detailed answer:
In 1912, Franz Kafka was working as an insurance lawyer. Writing served as his past-time activity. At that time, Kafka lived in a small, suffocating apartment. Similar to Gregor’s room. Despite growing in a successful family, Kafka had a rough childhood. His relationships with his father were negative. The characters of The Metamorphosis bear a resemblance to Kafka’s real family. Kafka felt separated from his family in this apartment. It translated into the stage for the novel. The image of his abusive father appeared in Mr. Samsa.
The themes in The Metamorphosis correlate with Kafka’s personal life. Franz Kafka was struggling with a lack of inspiration. He was unable to write anything. When he met his future fiancé, Felice Bauer, Kafka was able to work. It took him only three weeks to finish the novella. Kafka was invalidated by his family. He was experiencing feverish feelings of love. It made him create the only image with which he was able to associate himself. An image of a giant vermin, not unlike a cockroach. The Metamorphosis is fueled by Kafka’s negative life experiences. Both in terms of living conditions and his mental state.