Individual Metamorphosis as a Literary Device in Franz Kafka’s „The Metamorphosis“ and Jemal Karchkhadze’s „Igi“

Abstract

Metamorphosis, as a Universal Form of Transformation, constitutes a fundamental change in form, condition, or mode of existence. As a literary phenomenon, metamorphosis provides a unique means of exploring psychological states that often remain unnoticed. In literature, the trope of metamorphosis manifests as both individual and collective transformation.

The focus of our inquiry is individual metamorphosis, which is frequently associated with existential, ethical, or psychological crises that disrupt the stability of a character’s identity. In this regard, Franz Kafka’s Gregor Samsa represents a classical example. His transformation into an insect is not merely a physical deformation; rather, it signifies the performative collapse of his social roles - as son, worker, and citizen.

On an entirely different plane, metamorphosis unfolds in Jemal Karchkhadze’s short story “Igi.” Here, transformation is not physical but occurs within the realm of mind and consciousness, often initiated by the disintegration of moral, ethical, or social order.

Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Michel Foucault and Stuart Hall, this paper examines metamorphosis as a literary trope that enables us to perceive the processes of identity transformation, fragmentation, and reconfiguration across diverse historical, political, and cultural contexts.