Essay #3 I would like you to focus on the ending of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Both of these endings are examples of how authors will sometimes test their readers because both authors are using a similar type of irony. This type of irony involves the author seeming like he/she is communicating one thing but in reality something quite different is being communicated (often the opposite of what seems to be communicated). So if readers are just breezing along and not paying close attention, they will take the superficial message and assume that’s all there is. Such readers have been sucked in, and the author smiles and says, “You really didn’t get this story at all, did you.” You see, the ending is not just a test of how the reader has read the ending, it’s actually a test of how the reader has read the entire story.

QUESTION

Essay #3 I would like you to focus on the ending of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Both of these endings are examples of how authors will sometimes test their readers because both authors are using a similar type of irony. This type of irony involves the author seeming like he/she is communicating one thing but in reality something quite different is being communicated (often the opposite of what seems to be communicated). So if readers are just breezing along and not paying close attention, they will take the superficial message and assume that’s all there is. Such readers have been sucked in, and the author smiles and says, “You really didn’t get this story at all, did you.” You see, the ending is not just a test of how the reader has read the ending, it’s actually a test of how the reader has read the entire story.

For example, the ending of “Metamorphosis” looks like a happy ending, a standard finish for most narratives. All the things happening to the family appear to be wonderful. Note how the sister stands up and shows her new, mature body just like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. Isn’t that sweet–okay, you just got sucked it, so think again and consider the ending more carefully in relationship to what has happened in the story.

Or in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, we have a jump to the outsider, an important white man called the Commissioner; he’s not only a public servant, he’s also an author who is writing a book about his experiences. He thinks about how he will include Okonkwo’s death in his book. This again looks like a standard narrative technique. It’s like watching a movie about a small town and when the movie is ending, the camera lifts into the air and pulls back further and further until it gives us a long shot of the entire town. It’s like we’re saying goodbye as we put the s in story perspective. Note the similar technique in Hamlet as an outside, Fortinbras, comes in as a conqueror, looks over the pile of bodies, and chooses to say something nice about Hamlet (kind of silly but then Shakespeare has killed off almost everyone else). So is the Commissioner putting things in perspective for us?–only if the reader is not paying close attention and misses the point of not only the ending but of the entire story.

ANSWER

Irony in the Endings of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”: A Test of Reader Perception

Introduction

In literary works, authors often employ irony to challenge and engage their readers. The endings of Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” exemplify this technique, as both authors utilize a form of irony that superficially appears to convey one message but actually communicates something entirely different. These endings serve as tests for readers, prompting them to reflect not only on the conclusion of the narrative but also on their interpretation of the entire story. This essay will examine how the seemingly positive conclusions of both works conceal deeper meanings, compelling readers to reassess their understanding of the stories as a whole.

Irony in the Ending of “Metamorphosis”

In Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” the ending initially presents itself as a happy resolution, seemingly mirroring conventional narrative structures. Gregor’s family appears to find relief from the burden his transformation into a monstrous insect imposed on them. The sister’s emergence with a mature body can be interpreted as a metaphorical transformation akin to a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, evoking sentiments of beauty and growth. However, a closer examination reveals a more profound irony at play.

Throughout the story, Gregor’s family has exhibited indifference, resentment, and exploitation towards him. Their initial dependence on Gregor’s financial support devolves into neglect and revulsion following his metamorphosis (Relationship Between People in Kafka’s the Metamorphosis – Edubirdie, 2022). The conclusion, with the family’s newfound freedom and optimistic prospects, suggests a lack of remorse and a return to normalcy. Kafka challenges readers to question the true nature of this ending, prompting them to reflect on the story’s themes of isolation, alienation, and the dehumanizing effects of societal pressures.

Irony in the Ending of “Things Fall Apart”

Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” employs a similar form of irony in its ending, deliberately testing readers’ comprehension of the narrative. As the novel concludes, Achebe introduces an outsider known as the Commissioner, a white man who serves both as a public servant and an author documenting his experiences. The Commissioner contemplates incorporating Okonkwo’s tragic death into his book, ostensibly utilizing a typical narrative technique of summarizing events and providing closure. However, this apparent perspective shift hides a deeper layer of irony.

By introducing the Commissioner as a character and having him consider including Okonkwo’s story in his book, Achebe challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of colonialism and its impact on African societies (Baidya, 2022). The Commissioner’s detached reflection on Okonkwo’s life and death reflects the dismissive and objectifying attitude of colonial powers toward indigenous cultures. Achebe’s ending thus serves as a critique of the colonial gaze, demanding readers to question their interpretations and perceptions of the entire novel.

The Test of Reader Perception

Both Kafka and Achebe employ these ironic endings to assess how readers have engaged with the entirety of their respective stories. If readers approach the endings in a cursory manner, accepting the apparent surface message without critical analysis, they fall into the trap set by the authors. By subverting conventional narrative expectations, Kafka and Achebe challenge readers to revisit their previous interpretations, inviting them to question their assumptions, biases, and preconceived notions.

In “Metamorphosis,” readers are compelled to reconsider the family’s treatment of Gregor and the overarching theme of dehumanization. The apparently optimistic ending exposes the callousness and indifference that have permeated the story. Similarly, in “Things Fall Apart,” the introduction of the Commissioner forces readers to confront the colonial perspective and its impact on African culture. By positioning readers as participants in these narrative tests, Kafka and Achebe invite a deeper understanding of their works and prompt critical reflection on the themes explored.

Conclusion

The endings of Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” and Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” demonstrate the authors’ use of irony to challenge readers and evaluate their interpretation of the entire story. By presenting seemingly positive conclusions that belie deeper meanings, Kafka and Achebe compel readers to reassess their understanding of the characters, themes, and societal issues addressed in their works. These endings serve as tests of reader perception, reminding us that an attentive and critical engagement with literature is essential to uncovering the layers of meaning hidden beneath the surface.

References

Baidya, T. K. (2022, March 3). IMPOSITION OF COLONIAL RULE IN ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART. Medium. https://medium.com/enhcbd/imposition-of-colonial-rule-in-achebes-things-fall-apart-d99d5dafccb 

Relationship Between People In Kafka’s The Metamorphosis – Edubirdie. (2022, March 17). Edubirdie. https://edubirdie.com/examples/relationship-between-people-in-kafkas-the-metamorphosis/