A Metamorphosis Metaphysical

by Brother Harmonius

October 26, 2007

In Metamorphosis Kafka reflects, however unwittingly the inescapable economics of metaphysical law. Other critical analyses allude to this by pointing out the reciprocity of fortune between protagonist Gregor Samsa in opposition to his family.

The psychoanalyst Hellmuth Kaiser wrote from a psychoanalytical perspective, proposing that Kafka had a punishment wish. Be that as it may, throughout his short critical essay Kaiser refers to very plain transpositions that support my contention of a balance of metaphysical economy.¹

The basis of this is a Kabbalistic principal of “as above, so below.”² Role reversals and reversals of fortunes within the household are reflective of corresponding dynamic shifts happening on the ethereal plane.

The initial event, the turning into the physical insect, was not the entire metamorphosis, as Kaiser seems to understand it. There was an ongoing metamorphosis, of Gregor descending into bestiality, and the family members, father, mother and Grete Samsa rising from their dependence upon Gregor.

Grete, especially, can be seen like a butterfly, as her spirit metamorphosis happens before our eyes. This is especially indicated by the violin, which is a music of culture and ascension. Even its high notes suggest a skyward aspiration.

If the violin is symbolic of Grete’s spiritual ascent, Gregor’s slovenly eating habits are a clear indication that his corresponding metamorphosis is a descent, the finality of which is death (stagnation, cessation of growth). Gregor, as lowly bug (indeed, at some point he is no longer Gregor, but a non-entity) embraces bestiality. Grete attempts to uplift her older brother by cleaning his room, and preserving certain cultural reminders, but this doesn’t work.

In keeping with a law of metaphysical economy, one should not wonder that, just as one end of the scale tips downward so that the other may tilt upward, this is precisely the case in the Samsa household.

¹ Hellmuth Kaiser, Kafka's Fantasy of Punishment (Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag, 1931) “The son cannot put himself in the father's position without the father putting himself in the son's position,” and, “As we have already stated, the balance of power between father and son is reversed by means of the son's metamorphosis.”

² C.G. Jung, Mysterium Coniuntionis. (Bolingen Series XX, The Collected Works of C.G.Jung, Vol. 14. 1963) p. 17, “II. That which is below is like that which is above, and that which is above is like that which is below, to accomplish the miracles of One Thing.” The Emerald Table of Hermes Trismegistus (an unattributed translation in my electronic collection). Jung refers to Tabula Smaragdina, De alchemia, p.363, and also Tabula Smaragdina, Ruska, p. 2.

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