There is a very oppressive, top down
theme present in this writing. The
feeling of fear and hopelessness is very evident. As I am preparing this writing, I too am
feeling the residual effects of working class terror - fear, guilt, shame and
anxiety for not adhering to a predetermined schedule.
There is a tug-of-war incident
between the harsh and dismissive perspective of the “boss” and “the insurance
doctor” in that they believe “everyone is completely healthy but really lazy
about work”; versus the general perspective of “the worker” who is trying
to resolve his right to survive, which
is entangled with dehumanizing, miserable work conditions. The “boss” and “insurance doctor” gang-up and
crush the worker with their policies.
Throughout the composition, there is
an absence of the names of the characters.
There are only functions: the boss, the errand boy, the insurance doctor
and traveling salesman, erasing the need to be concerned with the individual,
only with their utility.
The “worker” does not have control
of his own life. His life is run by
machines - clocks, watches and trains.
His life is excruciatingly regimented.
He has never missed a day of work in (5) years. He must get up at 4. He can’t be late. He must get up early. He has an ever looming fear of losing his livelihood.
The image that comes to my mind when
I read the description of Gregor’s boss is of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. A fat, loud, domineering, red-faced, cigar
chewing, type A personality. The boss is
placed physically above “the workers”, talking down to them, forcing them to
look up at him in an uncomfortable, awkward way; amplifying their
insignificance and his dominance. Gregor’s
boss is apparently “the boss” everywhere. He is able to enter into the personal home and
family life of “the worker” and can usurp the family hierarchy. The “boss” knows Gregor’s parents. The “boss” is able to disrespect and
criticize the parent’s child rearing skills.
There is an indentured servant relationship between “the boss”, Gregor’s
family and Gregor. The parents are
indebted to the boss, and have handed over their son to work off their debt.
Our protagonist is so dehumanized
that he is in the form of an insect. He
finds himself on his back, wriggling and writhing, unable to stand, turnover or
control his legs. His underbelly is
exposed, which is the Achilles heel of an insect. An insect is something that you step on. It is miniscule. It is unwanted. It is something that disgusts others. It embodies how the worker feels, and how he
is viewed by “the boss” and society.
Gregor is isolated and has no one to
talk to about his feelings. His family
serves as reinforcement of servile working class values. Everyone in the house comes to the door to
encourage him to go to work. He is
unable to share with them that he has serious “physical problems”.
Gregor wants to break free from his
servile life. He states: “If I were to
try that with my boss, I’d be thrown out on the spot. Still, who knows whether that mightn’t be
really good for me.” And further when the insurance doctor makes his poorly
thought out statements about everyone being healthy but lazy, Gregor adds “And
besides, would the doctor in this case be totally wrong?”
This excerpt from Franz Kafka is a
wonderfully creative and thought provoking way of presenting working class
struggles, worker vexation and iron-handed
capitalism.
Published: http://www.cafedelapensee.com/node/1222
Published: http://www.cafedelapensee.com/node/1222
No comments:
Post a Comment