When reading Fafka's Metamorphosis, I thought that the metamorphosis was going to be focused on Gregor, but I noticed that the title probably focuses more on Gregor's family rather than himself. Even though Gregor turns into a giant insect, he isn't really destroying the lives of his family. While it is true that he was supporting his family with his job and being an insect can't sustain a job, the rest of the family finds new work and can still support themselves. It's just his appearance that causes the family all sorts of grief, anxiety, and spite, and this is the metamorphosis that the family undergoes, especially with the sister, who was accommodating of Gregor at first but soon shifted to spite. And I think that the story is trying to show one of the darker sides of human nature, of sudden alienation, isolation, loneliness, all established in a rapid manner at times. I see this story being a clear inspiration for similar works that followed like The Fly or District 9, in terms of an appearance change into something shocking, especially insectoid, and the sense of isolation as persecution that follows from it.
So with Murakami's Samsa in Love, it seems of almost a redemption of Gregor. Having no memories of his prior life with his sense of supporting his family through work, the confusion he had as an insect, and the spite he got from his family, it's almost like he was able to start his life over completely. I think this is a form of an optimistic take from Murakami to Kafka's more or less depressing story. That alienation, isolation, loneliness can happen to people, but there is also the possibility that someone can start anew and have a chance for an even better life. Gregor's previous working and family condition probably wasn't the best, with having him be the family's sole dependent and feeling constantly overwhelmed by his work, but now that his family is gone, he no longer has a sense to work, he can be himself in a true sense. So I believe that Murakami is acknowledging the dark aspects of human interaction and nature, but also that there's lighter and more positive aspects that can make life worth living for.
-David Barnes
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