rednordman
27th December 2009, 15:49
I just finished reading this short story and had to say how intruiging it is to have it labelled by alot of people as one of the best pieces of written work ever put to print.
If you have not yet read the story and want to, I reccomend that you read it in one go, and DO NOT read the rest of my post as I do not want to spoil it for you.
It really came across to me as not only existentialist, but also having a very big marxist undertone. Especially how as soon as Gregor (the main character-cockroach) became unprofitable and practically immobile, all his family and friends ended up despising him and where happy when he died. It also hammers home how faceless and cold the capitalists where in those days (the clerk ends up actually addressing his family at his house just because he is an hour late out of bed). Missing work for just one day was enough to get him the sack even though he was one of their best employees.
All in all, I found it very sad and pondered as to what the cockroach actually represented. Was it physical disability or the more indepth insecurites of the psyche exposed for all to see?
I can definitly understand why he has the accolades that he has. What are your thoughts?
If you have not yet read the story and want to, I reccomend that you read it in one go, and DO NOT read the rest of my post as I do not want to spoil it for you.
It really came across to me as not only existentialist, but also having a very big marxist undertone. Especially how as soon as Gregor (the main character-cockroach) became unprofitable and practically immobile, all his family and friends ended up despising him and where happy when he died. It also hammers home how faceless and cold the capitalists where in those days (the clerk ends up actually addressing his family at his house just because he is an hour late out of bed). Missing work for just one day was enough to get him the sack even though he was one of their best employees.
All in all, I found it very sad and pondered as to what the cockroach actually represented. Was it physical disability or the more indepth insecurites of the psyche exposed for all to see?
I can definitly understand why he has the accolades that he has. What are your thoughts?