Growth & Change in Kafka and Cortazar

Positive Physical and Mental Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is a complete change of form, structure, or substance by magic or witchcraft. Metamorphosis demonstrates positive growth and ironic change with Franz Kafka’s short stories: “The Metamorphosis” and “A Report to the Academy,” and Julio Cortazar’s short story, “Axolot.” In Franz Kafka’s short story, “The Metamorphosis,” both ironic transformation and positive growth occur. In the beginning of the story the main character Gregor Samsa immediately experiences metamorphosis and transforms into a bug.

“When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin” (Metamorphosis 3). This represents an example of physical metamorphosis, Gregor has physically transformed from a human into a bug. This transformation caused him to lose his ability to work and continue to pay off his parents’ debt. Gregor’s sister, Grete however, experienced metamorphosis as well.

In contrast, Grete’s metamorphosis was mental. “It occurred to Mr. and Mrs. Samsa, as they watched their daughter getting livelier and livelier, that lately, in spite of all the troubles which had turned her cheeks pale, she had blossomed into a good-looking shapely girl” (Metamorphosis 58).

Grete’s metamorphosis was mental and caused her to blossom into a young adult. Her metamorphosis was in response to Gregor’s physical transformation. The experience helped Grete gain independence and develop a positive outlook on life. In addition, Franz Kafka’s short story, “A Report to the Academy, ” represents more of a mental metamorphosis rather than an actual physical metamorphosis.

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The main character, Red Peter – who is a chimpanzee – undergoes transformation mentally through the experience of captivity and learning how to live in human society, “That progress! That penetration of rays of knowledge from all sides into my awakening brain! I won’t deny it: it made me happy… I have attained the educational level of an average European” (A Report to the Academy 88). Red Peter experienced gradual transformation, which affected him both positively and ironically. Red Peter developed the ability to function and be a part of human society, he was successfully able to transform, which helped him avoid death.

In addition, his physical appearance also transformed; he now wore clothing like a human. “I have achieved what I wanted to achieve” (A Report to the Academy 88). This statement signifies, Red Peter’s ironic transformation. His teachers may believe that they were the reason for his transformation. However, Red Peter made a decision within himself to change believing that it would help him survive in society. Julio Cortazar’s short story. “Axolot,” demonstrates ironic transformation. Julio Cortazar becomes fascinated with axolots causing him to then transform into one. “I saw my face against the glass, I saw it on the outside of the tank, I saw it on the other side of the glass. Then my face drew back and I understood” (Cortazar 1222). Here, Julio experienced physical metamorphosis, leading him to the realization that he was not observing axolots but he physically was an axolot. This signifies ironic change because throughout the entire story he believed he was merely studying axolotIs, yet it didn’t occur to him that he was an actual axolotl until the end of the story. Cortazar then experienced mental metamorphosis at the end of the story.

After he realizes that he was the axolotl all along, Cortazar learned how axolots lived and accepted who he actually was. This transformation helped Cortazar find his place and accept himself truthfully. In all, these three short stories represent how metamorphosis can affect one both physically and mentally. The central theme within these short stories is that sometimes one has to experience metamorphosis in order to grow and survive in society. In today’s stressful society, metamorphosis can help people of today learn to work with the modern fast paced world and how to excel as individuals.

Works Cited

1. Cortazar, Julio. Axolotl. Trans. Paul Blackburn. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Elements of Literature Sixth Course (2007): 1218-1222. Print.
2. Kafka, Franz. A Report to the Academy. Trans. Stanley Applbaum. New York: Dover Publications,1996. Print.
3. Metamorphosis. (n.d.). The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy,Third Edition. Retrieved October 25, 2013, from Dictionary.com
   website:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/metamorphosis
4. The Metamorphosis. Trans. Stanley Corngold. New York: Bantam Books, 1972. Print.