Are You Braver Than a 3rd Grader?

             This week, 12S has been discussing The Metamorphosis. As a modernist text, it lacks a typical "happy ending,"instead offering a rather depressing end coupled with a strong message.  One of the most depressing aspects of the story is that despite their disgusting treatment of Gregor, the protagonist, he continues to crave the love and attention of his family. In fact, he is desperate for it. Now, to be fair, if you woke up one day to see that your brother was a giant beetle who could not speak you would be pretty grossed out, wouldn't you? However, their treatment of Gregor after his transformation and their sudden ability to work and earn money for themselves shows that they had in fact just been lazy and taking advantage of Gregor the entire time. 

              Now, a quick question... Did anyone else think of James and the Giant Peach? As soon as I heard "giant bug" the image of the story popped into my head, not surprising as I read the book about 100 times. But I digress... For those who don't know the story, it's about a little boy named James, who is mistreated by horrible aunts, until one day, a magic spell creates a gigantic peach in his yard. James soon discovers a group of giant, magically enlarged bugs (a spider, silkworm, centipede, grasshopper, a ladybug and earthworm, to be exact), and with them he goes on a wonderful adventure, ending up in New York. Like poor Gregor, little James had been made to work like a servant for his family members, who took advantage of him. And the whole giant bug similarity is hard to ignore. However, as a children's story, it lacks the bleak outlook and sad ending. In the story, James ends up living happily ever after in New York City with his bugs, while Gregor knowingly, though not all together willingly succumbs to injuries inflicted by his father, as a last ditch effort in getting some sort of recognition from his family. So why did James get a happy ending, while Gregor died alone, locked on a dark room? James recognized his aunts for the jerks that they were, and at his first opportunity left the house, to experience something outside of the bleak world he shared with them. Perhaps, as a little boy, he still had that childlike sense of wonder, and hope, which have him the courage to go out on his own. It is this first step that leads to many other wondrous things for him, and he learns that he is better than his aunts treated him. Gregor, a grown man who works a job he dislikes to take care of his parents and sister, is most likely too wrapped up in the reality of the world to daydream about its many possibilities.... 

               But I'm just saying, if you can one day wake up as a giant bug, isn't anything possible? Imagine if Gregor had just left, in the middle of the night, and went to live in the sewers or some other bug friendly zone. Due to his size, intelligence, and ability to "speak" like a bug, he probably could have ended up being some sort of bug king, revered by all his little big subjects! Now, that would have been making the best of unfortunate circumstances! But, alas, it is Gregor's very human need to be accepted by those that shun him that keeps him in that house, and ultimately causes his destruction. The Metamorphosis offers up a lesson about what the need for the acceptance and approval of others can do to someone. It is never beneficial to bend over backwards in attempts to make people love, or accept you. In Gregor's case, it was not even necessary, because his family ends up being better off without him, acting as if a huge burden had been lifted off their backs! If ever confronted with a situation in which you are not appreciated or accepted by others, and are not treated with the respect and dignity you deserve, be like James! Leave, go out and find a new environment, with people who care for you. To spend your time trying to fit into the mold of what others expect from you is an exercise in futility. Why try to change the minds of people who are not open to having their minds changed? Why not find something new? Why not move on to greener pastures, as they say...or in Gregor's case, stinkier sewers. There's a niche for everyone in the world, and if you know that where you are, isn't it, then go out and find it!... Or, you can allow yourself to be beaten down on a daily basis by your environment. It's your choice, though I hope, it is an obvious one.