"The Metamorphosis" by Peter Kuper and “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka

Comics vs. Original

            "The Metamorphosis" by Peter Kuper is a comic book of the original adaption. It almost expressed the story and talking of original “The Metamorphosis”. It also had some change, or we can say it is Kuper’s understanding of The Metamorphosis. For historical reasons, Kuper changed some importance when he created the book, but it cannot hinder we read the work and made comment it.

            Kuper use the comic to express the fiction, so he had to change or add some details. That deprive reader imaginations, and it also lose some meaning that author Kafka wanted to express. It was unavoidable. The original work is not a good work to reader. It is a work of author enjoying himself and expresses his feeling, so the comic is a good way to change it and make it easier to read. The comic has its advantage too. It is relaxed, humorous, and easy to read. “The use of comic pictograms to encourage the proactive engagement of undergraduates in acquiring a greater appreciation of health and safety issues has been investigated.” and “The strategy marries the emerging literary format of flash fiction with modern communication to foster a synergy that captures the imagination of the students and markedly contrasts conventional essay/assignments/induction material.” (Dale) The comic can omit many sentences and use the picture to replace them. It will be short and make it more popular.

            Kuper changed some details in his work. In the comic book, the father is a fat, ugly and old man. When he draws the hero, author gives him a good face. As the insect, the face looks like a human face. It has a wealth of expression, and it is pitiful when people read. It is an important point of comic. The comic usually need to prettify advantages and uglify disadvantages. The author often uses overstated technique of expression to draw the most important things. Kuper omitted many details like the father’s feeling and the family status, and he highlight the things he wants to say.

            In summary, Kuper’s book can save reader’s time and help reader to know the story. It also changed some details and some original meaning. If we just want to know the story, Kuper’s book is a good choice, but if we want to consider the original meaning or know Kafka, it is better to read the original book.

Work Cited

Dale, Graham R., et al. "Exploiting the e-Serialization of nano-fiction to enhance undergraduate health and safety lectures: A back to the future perspective." Journal of Chemical Health & Safety 19.3 (2012): 23+. Academic OneFile. Web. 30 May 2012.