"How can death lead to revival? Matthew are you okay?"
Yes, I'm okay. Hear me out. Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis got the main character, Gregor, turning into an enormous insect: "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" (Kafka 89). He still has human thoughts and tendencies, but he has the physical body of a bug... As the story progresses, humanity slowly parts away from him; things helping him to grasp onto humanity are gradually taken away from him. Becoming more and more like an actual insect, Gregor fails to engage with his family because of his monstrous appearance; the two become more and more distant. Having many confrontations, Gregor struggles to live through the discrimination, harshness, and increasing ignorance from his family members. As a result, Gregor dies. This is the death part of the equation. So how does that lead to revival?
Elaborating on the proliferating ignorance his family members demonstrated, this was due to an expired option of being able to rely on Gregor for money. The family realized that they couldn't live like they were before in order to have a stable living. Without Gregor, there is a revitalization in the whole family: even his lethargic father that was always sleeping! Gregor is shocked when he sees his father active: "And yet, and yet, could that be his father? The man who used to lie wearily sunk in bed whenever Gregor set out on a business journey; who welcomed him back of an evening lying in a long chair in a dressing gown; who could not really rise to his feet..." (Kafka 120).
While being so dependent on Gregor, the family forgot about themselves—their capabilities, their aspirations, and their purpose. After Gregor's death, they each are focused on themselves because each have a responsibility to take care of himself/herself. Everyone knows that in order for the family's survival to sustain, he/she must not be a hampering to someone else.
Even though Gregor's death is very depressing and frustrating, his death has actually brought this family together. Gregor's death has turned on the green light for his family. New doors are opened for his father, his mother, and most importantly Grete. Instead of being detached from society, they are now involved in life.
This is a new beginning for them: a revival of a family, a true and bonded family.
