The problem of the “little man” in Franz Kafka's story “The Metamorphosis”

Abstract

This article examines the problem of the "little man" in Franz Kafka's short story "The Metamorphosis." The classic theme of the "little man" is widely represented in both Russian and German literature, reflecting socio-philosophical issues and the everyday reality of life. The theme of the "little man" in Russian and German literature of the 19th and 20th centuries focuses on the fate of the socially vulnerable, the ordinary citizen, oppressed by the state apparatus or circumstances. Russian literature emphasizes humanism and compassion, while German literature more often views the hero through the prism of existential loneliness and alienation. In "The Metamorphosis," Franz Kafka reinterprets the theme of the "little man," transforming him from a socially oppressed official into an existentially lonely, dehumanized being. Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, becomes an "insect," which metaphorically emphasizes his complete helplessness, uselessness, and alienation from his family and society.