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A Study and Comparison: Metamorphosis and No Longer Human

This work is a humble attempt to compare the works of two writers who are celebrated for their mastery of the theme of alienation. One is Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1883-1924) and the other No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu (1909-1948). The former being a recognized Czech author whose works are very famous including The Trial, The Castle and Metamorphosis. The latter is a much appreciated Japanese author who although being well established in Japan isn’t yet a global figure, his famous works being No Longer Human and The Setting Sun. Both of them died quite early aged about 40. The scope of this article is to look at the image of alienation and humanity that both of these authors have painted in their works and discuss their general style of narrating and presenting. Also I would throughout share my thoughts and experience of engaging with these texts.

Let us begin by laying a bit of background for both the authors. I find them very similar, both of them had a strained relationship with their father, both were assumed to have a schizophrenic disorder, both ventured to understand the nature and characteristics of humanity. Kafka led a very normal life, he didn’t marry but struggled with his sexual desires throughout his life on the other hand Dazai had a troubled childhood being sexually abused by the housemaids and later in his life falling in and out of relationships working as a caricaturist in a newspaper. He was disowned by his family due to his artistic field and casual relationships with lower strata women, as his family was an elite family which was part of the government administration that couldn’t afford such a blemish on their name. He attempted three suicides in his entire life and succeeded in the third. These facts about their life seem to reflect on their works, a profound impact is visible in the themes which they engage within their works

Kafka evokes the theme of alienation by transforming the main character Gregor Samsa of the story into a giant beetle like insect whereas Dazai himself as the main character makes the theme evident by his interactions in his daily life No Longer Human being an autobiographical text. Both these works have a first person narrative, which are restricted to the main characters perspective and knowledge. Now delving bit into the narrations we find that both the authors rely heavily on their character’s monologues than dialogues or plot for exposition. The environment and atmosphere is rather colorless not to be mistaken for dull throughout their stories, which establishes somewhat a mood of observation and slight despair. This way of storytelling seems to be highly catalytic for character centered works in general, but that isn’t enough, it is the way both these artists employ these techniques that makes all the difference. Let’s take a look at their works individually to get a more critical view.

Metamorphosis is a story and at the same time a critique on estrangement due to differences which are irreconcilable. It’s notable that the author doesn’t paint any character as black or white, or even grey for that matter. The Samsa family which tries to accommodate Gregor after his transformation isn’t shown to be good or evil, but as a realistic family same goes for Gregor. Therein lies the beauty of the story, it is in the revelation of the fact that even if no two groups or individuals have wronged each other, they still might not be able to live in peace together because of their dissimilarities. It becomes very clear when the sister tries to accept Gregor. She brings him food, which Gregor in all respect appreciated, but him being a beetle now, he couldn’t have the same food that humans had. This rejection of food with no ill bearing starts creating a distance between the two. Metamorphosis provides us with a number of similar examples to substantiate its theme. Dazai although not using strong images like Kafka is skilled in subtly inducing the theme into his reader by brilliant monologues and vivid expressions.

No Longer Human pretty much is what the title says it is. It is a story of a man who though born a human failed to comprehend the meaning of being a human. It is a story of someone who has a very different way of viewing things than ordinary people, who has seemingly incoherent or unsuitable emotions associated to the people and everything around him. In simpler terms Dazai views people with the same astonishment as we would if we saw an alien to whom it is enjoyable to eat his own hair or fingernails. This very perspective is phenomenal but not as much as the way this perspective is weaved in the narration for us. Below is a paragraph from the book in which the discussed features are clearly visible.

I simply don't understand. I have not the remotest clue what the nature or extent of my neighbor's woes can be. Practical troubles, griefs that can be assuaged if only there is enough to eat—these may be the most intense of all burning hells, horrible enough to blast to smithereens my ten misfortunes, but that is precisely what I don't understand: if my neighbors manage to survive without killing themselves, without going mad, maintaining an interest in political parties, not yielding to despair, resolutely pursuing the fight for existence, can their griefs really be genuine? Am I wrong in thinking that these people have become such complete egoists and are so convinced of the normality of their way of life that they have never once doubted themselves? if that is the case, their sufferings should he easy to hear: they are the common lot of human beings and perhaps the best one can hope for. I don't know ... If you've slept soundly at night the morning is exhilarating, I suppose. What kind of dreams do they have? What. do they think about when they walk along the street? Money? Hardly—it couldn't only be that. I seem to have heard the theory advanced that human beings live in order to eat, but I've never heard anyone say that they lived in order to make money. No. And yet, in some instances. . . . No, I don't even know that. . . . The more I think of it, the less I understand. All I feel are the assaults of apprehension and terror at the thought that I am the only one who is entirely unlike the rest. It is almost impossible for me to converse with other people. What should I talk about, how should I say it?—I don't know.

 – No Longer Human

Further down the story we realize that the main character is so afraid of humans that he creates a clown identity to make other people laugh. He did this because seeing other people smile and like him, gave him a sense of relief, the character as he grows becomes even more estranged as he learns of complex human structures like society. The idea of society to him appears as an incomprehensible beast which he cannot take on, it is later that he is shown that it is but a collection of individuals. More importantly his inability to comprehend society and people drives him to such an extent that he tries to commit suicide again and again. Throughout his life he was never able to grasp why women loved him and took care of him. In the end the story as whole due to its unique perspective and brilliant storytelling wins your heart.

Personally I like Dazai’s work more than Kafka’s because he is able to achieve the same result or even better results without employing the techniques of or stepping into magical realism, which I believe is considerably harder. Still both their works are jewels of their own which shine brightly.

Abhimanyu Singh Shekhawat

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