Why Even Your Loved Ones Will Leave You | Kafka’s The Metamorphosis
Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is more than a story about a man who wakes up as an insect—it is a devastating exploration of alienation, dehumanization, shame, and existential despair. In this video, we examine Gregor Samsa as a symbol of the modern individual trapped in a world that values people only for their productivity and usefulness. Through Gregor’s transformation, Kafka exposes what it truly means to live in a Kafkaesque society—one ruled by bureaucracy, obligation, and emotional abandonment. Gregor’s physical metamorphosis reflects an inner collapse: a man whose identity was built entirely on work, duty, and sacrifice slowly loses his sense of self once he can no longer provide. This analysis explores major philosophical themes in The Metamorphosis, including existentialism, nihilism, free will, and the illusion of choice. Gregor’s story echoes the ideas of thinkers like Sartre, Camus, Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky, raising disturbing questions about meaning, responsibility, and rebellion in an absurd world. We also examine how family becomes a microcosm of society, revealing how love erodes under pressure, shame, and fear. Gregor’s parents and sister slowly stop seeing him as human, reflecting how society treats those who are sick, disabled, burned out, or no longer “useful.” The video dives deep into: Alienation and isolation in modern life Work, burnout culture, and identity Shame as an invisible prison Dehumanization through capitalism and utility Art, beauty, and music as salvation Gregor’s death as release, not failure Ultimately, Kafka forces us to confront a terrifying question: Are we valued for who we are—or only for what we produce? Gregor Samsa did not become a monster. Society made him one. How Modern Philosophy Turned Him into a Murderer| Dostoevsky| Crime and Punishment • How Modern Philosophy Turned Him into a Mu... You Are NOTHING and Will Be Forgotten Like Insects: NIHILISM • You Are NOTHING and Will Be Forgotten Like... music credit @co.agmusic Timestamps: 00:00 quote 01:03 the birth of kafkaesque 04:00 society utility and dehumanization 07:33 free will and illusion of choice 10:28 shame the invisible prison 13:19 beauty will save the world 15:24 death as release not failure #TheMetamorphosis #FranzKafka #GregorSamsa #Kafkaesque #Existentialism #ExistentialPhilosophy #Absurdism #LiteraryAnalysis #ClassicLiterature #ModernLiterature #Philosophy #PhilosophyOfLife #Alienation #Isolation #Dehumanization #BurnoutCulture #MentalHealthAwareness #IdentityCrisis #Shame #CapitalismCritique #ProductivityCulture #HumanWorth #WorkAndIdentity #SocietyAndSelf #VideoEssay #PhilosophyTube #DeepAnalysis #StoryAnalysis #MeaningOfLife
