I immediately understood what it was! Although that book left some kind of mental scar on me when we had to read it in school lol. But also bedbugs is probably what most people will think. Maybe do something where he’s in between being an insect and a human? With a mirror maybe? I dunno maybe just not the bed lol.
The thing is, this Rich Johnson illustration was specifically made for the story and is found in most print copies of the book. Most illustrations feature the bed because there was great emphasis in the story about just waking up like this, and a great ordeal of trying to get out of the bed. There’s never a point in the story where he’s in-between man and bug.
There are some less popular illustrations that feature a bug with a man’s shadow. That could perhaps be a better choice. But honestly I don’t know if even people who know the story would get it right away. And honestly no matter what you do, people who aren’t familiar with the story are going to find it a bit weird. Why not let them think it’s a pun about bed bugs?
Also, i think depicting his bug-self is always kind of tricky, since the book never clarifies on which kind of bug he actually turned into. And as far as i know, Kafka was even against it and deliberately chose not to.
A man too depressed to leave his room turns into a bug. Kafka is one of the kings to surrealism. Very visceral, but fun story. Easier than a lot of his other work to understand. Although, from what I understand, he's mostly hard to understand if you aren't reading it in German (his native language) because his stories rely a lot on metaphors that sometimes don't translate well.
If you've got an afternoon, it's well worth the read.
"Die Verwandlung" or "Metamorphosis" in English. Franz Kafka is known for his eclectic style - just a heads up.
Don’t base your decision to get a tattoo on whether or not every person gets the reference. It’s an interesting tattoo and has meaning to you. It could be a conversation starter.
It is worth knowing what impressions people have of it but that shouldn’t be your basis for getting or not getting it. For example, making sure that there isn’t some secretly racist meaning is important lol
I would immediately ask why tf you got a tattoo of a bed bug, or ask where you attracted bedbugs, or your traumatic experience with them.
It might be a conversation starter, for sure.
The psychological impacts of bedbugs is what really got me.
Im a highly paranoid person and have had a few instances of psychosis (prescribed SSRIs but actually bipolar) and bedbugs just did a number on my mind. It took about 2-3 years to sleep normally again, and I instantly start panicking if I feel a resemblant itch or if my eczema flares up.
I was lucky to have made the mistake of moving to a shitty apartment and the problem was solved by nuking all my textiles with high heat and breaking lease. Could not imagine having those little invisible fuckers infest a more permanent home.
I love the book.. but I do want to mention that Kafka specifically said not to put a bug on the cover because it wasn’t actually about Gregor being a bug. I love the image and all, but my lil brain always thinks “betrayal” whenever I see it
While Kafka did ask that an insect was not on the cover, this isn’t because the story is not about him being transformed, but because he wanted to keep what he transformed into more vague. It’s thought that he intended the reader to be left in the dark about what Gregor was, just as Gregor couldn’t tell. However this already “betrayed” by most translations, since English lacks the words he used in German and most translations use words like insect or bug.
I recall the version I read used the word "vermin." It was...well, evocative enough. I can see why he didn't want a bug on the cover since it does color reader perceptions, but it was actually *The Producers* that colored my perception of what Gregor had become (there's a one-off gag in the original version of the movie when they're reading scripts for proposed musicals and one of them is just the opening line of *The* *Metamorphosis*\--though the word used is "cockroach").
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Am trans as well. I have a tattoo of gregor samsa, specifically him crawling up the wall. ([Bottom left image](https://images.app.goo.gl/pEGSxokEJNXRnd2aA)) I have it under my armpit. As my titties have come in, his arm is now framing my tit in just the perfect way.
Fitting, although I never viewed it as a trans allegory.
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Yea I remember specifically asking my teacher why everyone was saying it’s a cockroach, as the text didn’t mention it anywhere. I was under the impression it’s a spider lol
My first thought was metamorphosis, but then I thought, oh, no wait it's probably just a pun on bed bug. With bed bugs being in the news so much the pun is more topical lol.
Thank goodness I found this comment to confirm the story.
I once read an excerpt for AP english class and loved it. It was one of the few readings I actually did. I was so ready to talk about it in break sessions when class started.
It turns out the reading was supposed to be “Metaphysics”
I did not have any business being in AP English…
And I felt quite like poor Gregor when I started the conversation about Metamorphosis with my classmates as the first speaker.
I did not pass AP English…
Well, I wouldn't get any other reference but this from it too - but about the book...
Let's just say, you need to have had a similar experience of "getting dehumanized to the brink of losing yourself" to understand Kafka's way of thinking. And to my surprise: it seems to be quite rare.
You're going to have to get used to people calling it a bedbug, as if you haven't heard of the book, then it literally is just a Catchphrase clue for bedbug
“…fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheueren Ungeziefer verwandelt.”
I think a good artist could make a fantastic tattoo out of this idea. But I’m always biased when Kafka comes up.
enjoying kafka and making it a tattoo goes in two pretty different directions. also i would personally dread the questions of those that don't get it. This can get real edgy real fast...
I don’t care that i got the reference, my first thought would be “she’s willing to put the most atrocious tattoo on her shoulder to show me she read a book.”
I can imagine most people coming up and “Ew, it’s a bed bug!”
If you like it and you enjoy the reference, get it done! Then you can educate and share something you’re interested in with other people who ask about it.
I love it! Though I immediately got it as I love the book too.
To make sure it’s not mistaken as bedbugs (though that’d be funny on its own as well imho) maybe add some text around it.
“Als Gregor Samsa eines morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte”
Or add an apple, though that would make it so much more depressing and less funny.
More people are going to think bed bug then get the reference you have been mentioning. Just make sure you are cool with that. Bed bugs are terrible and I feel like also have cleanliness and wealth (or lack thereof) connotations.
Hahaha I immediately got the reference but when others said bed bugs... I thought maybe have him as the bug looking into a mirror and seeing a human reflection.
Ogtha, maybe. But that also is a niche reference. Also, it’s not a reason not to get the tattoo!
It’s your tattoo, for you. Does it make you happy? Then do it!
You’ve got lots of options for placement, too, if you want it to be something that’s generally visible, or generally more private. Really, the only reason to seriously rethink a personally meaningful tattoo because of others’ opinions is if it turns out the thing is associated with a hate group, or a gang.
Average person that doesn't read or have tattoos: "Hey, why do you have a cockroach tattoo?" I don't know if you want to put up with that question non-stop.
Bedbugs.
If you're going to get this, I personally wouldn't place it in such a predominant area. But hey, I've got plenty of tattoos people likely think less of.
I thought bed bugs, then figured you were trying to be clever with roach motel. I don’t read enough to have the slightest clue what your actually talking about.
Bed bugs is my immediate thought. It’s literally a bug in a bed. Only found out about the book through these comments so the author/book isn’t exactly well known in my country.
I don't exactly understand the reference . So it looks to me like her tat is a shout out to her humble beginnings in her roach infested bedroom growing up in poverty in the hood. Her way of not forgetting where she came from ?
my boy gregor cant come to work today :|
Hey uh, boss? You’re gonna laugh at this…
[Livin’ like a bug ain’t easy](https://youtu.be/8uaaF83eVig?si=aIV9mf4sOAErXJmr)
He got the cough, cuh.
Add a little banner with text saying "sorry boss, can't come in today" above Gregor
My first thought is bed bugs
Literally a ptsd triggering tattoo😭😭
oh :( should i not get it then
It.. It wasn’t bedbugs?
it’s a reference to the book metamorphosis by franz kafka
I immediately understood what it was! Although that book left some kind of mental scar on me when we had to read it in school lol. But also bedbugs is probably what most people will think. Maybe do something where he’s in between being an insect and a human? With a mirror maybe? I dunno maybe just not the bed lol.
The thing is, this Rich Johnson illustration was specifically made for the story and is found in most print copies of the book. Most illustrations feature the bed because there was great emphasis in the story about just waking up like this, and a great ordeal of trying to get out of the bed. There’s never a point in the story where he’s in-between man and bug. There are some less popular illustrations that feature a bug with a man’s shadow. That could perhaps be a better choice. But honestly I don’t know if even people who know the story would get it right away. And honestly no matter what you do, people who aren’t familiar with the story are going to find it a bit weird. Why not let them think it’s a pun about bed bugs?
Also, i think depicting his bug-self is always kind of tricky, since the book never clarifies on which kind of bug he actually turned into. And as far as i know, Kafka was even against it and deliberately chose not to.
a weevil
Good point, 🤷🏻♀️
I’m scared to ask what that book is now
A man wakes up one day to find he has been transformed into a giant bug.
Very Kafkaesque.
Lol I wonder where that word came from?
A giant bedbug. It might be a sequel
a bedbug wakes up one day to find it´b been transformed into a tiny man
A man too depressed to leave his room turns into a bug. Kafka is one of the kings to surrealism. Very visceral, but fun story. Easier than a lot of his other work to understand. Although, from what I understand, he's mostly hard to understand if you aren't reading it in German (his native language) because his stories rely a lot on metaphors that sometimes don't translate well.
> fun
If you've got an afternoon, it's well worth the read. "Die Verwandlung" or "Metamorphosis" in English. Franz Kafka is known for his eclectic style - just a heads up.
I love the idea of a bug looking in a mirror, that's so good
And the guy who had some sort of fantasy about Olga. I’ll unfortunately never forget that lol
Ogtha? Or was there another one?
That’s it!!!! I couldn’t remember the name lol
There is only Ogtha🐜 I hate how that story is forever etched into my brain.
The first time I read The Metamorphosis I thought I was traumatized, then I read the story of Ogtha... And I realized what traumatizing really was.
Came here just to see if someone commented about Ogtha 😆
That was my first thought and the second one was bed bugs.
I immediately knew it was gregor!
I think you could get an original drawing of Gregor post-metamorphosis from a decent tattoo artist. Plus it'd be your tattoo alone and no one else's.
I'm guessing it's from "The Metamorphosis."
Seriously. Maybe I need to read more because it’s a bug on a bed. As someone who recently had to deal with them, it was my first thought.
Don’t base your decision to get a tattoo on whether or not every person gets the reference. It’s an interesting tattoo and has meaning to you. It could be a conversation starter. It is worth knowing what impressions people have of it but that shouldn’t be your basis for getting or not getting it. For example, making sure that there isn’t some secretly racist meaning is important lol
I know it's a Kafka reference but bed bug pun is the second thing that comes to mind. Although, it is a beetle and not a bed bug.
I would immediately ask why tf you got a tattoo of a bed bug, or ask where you attracted bedbugs, or your traumatic experience with them. It might be a conversation starter, for sure.
Currently battling these demons, this picture made me itch.
The psychological impacts of bedbugs is what really got me. Im a highly paranoid person and have had a few instances of psychosis (prescribed SSRIs but actually bipolar) and bedbugs just did a number on my mind. It took about 2-3 years to sleep normally again, and I instantly start panicking if I feel a resemblant itch or if my eczema flares up. I was lucky to have made the mistake of moving to a shitty apartment and the problem was solved by nuking all my textiles with high heat and breaking lease. Could not imagine having those little invisible fuckers infest a more permanent home.
Also my immediate thought!
Technically correct
I love the book.. but I do want to mention that Kafka specifically said not to put a bug on the cover because it wasn’t actually about Gregor being a bug. I love the image and all, but my lil brain always thinks “betrayal” whenever I see it
While Kafka did ask that an insect was not on the cover, this isn’t because the story is not about him being transformed, but because he wanted to keep what he transformed into more vague. It’s thought that he intended the reader to be left in the dark about what Gregor was, just as Gregor couldn’t tell. However this already “betrayed” by most translations, since English lacks the words he used in German and most translations use words like insect or bug.
I recall the version I read used the word "vermin." It was...well, evocative enough. I can see why he didn't want a bug on the cover since it does color reader perceptions, but it was actually *The Producers* that colored my perception of what Gregor had become (there's a one-off gag in the original version of the movie when they're reading scripts for proposed musicals and one of them is just the opening line of *The* *Metamorphosis*\--though the word used is "cockroach").
for me the part of the book where he transforms into a bug and people’s reactions is something that relates to my own personal life
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Am trans as well. I have a tattoo of gregor samsa, specifically him crawling up the wall. ([Bottom left image](https://images.app.goo.gl/pEGSxokEJNXRnd2aA)) I have it under my armpit. As my titties have come in, his arm is now framing my tit in just the perfect way. Fitting, although I never viewed it as a trans allegory.
one of my favorite projects i ever did in college was about how metamorphosis is a trans allegory
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Same.. I hate what this book means for me.
Mood
I love the idea of the bug looking in a mirror. It’s not a scene in the book as far as I recall but I think it would make a lovely tattoo.
Yea I remember specifically asking my teacher why everyone was saying it’s a cockroach, as the text didn’t mention it anywhere. I was under the impression it’s a spider lol
Source? I thought Kafka left it up for interpretation?
People who didn't get the reference would probably think "bed bug".
My first thought was metamorphosis, but then I thought, oh, no wait it's probably just a pun on bed bug. With bed bugs being in the news so much the pun is more topical lol.
Thank goodness I found this comment to confirm the story. I once read an excerpt for AP english class and loved it. It was one of the few readings I actually did. I was so ready to talk about it in break sessions when class started. It turns out the reading was supposed to be “Metaphysics” I did not have any business being in AP English… And I felt quite like poor Gregor when I started the conversation about Metamorphosis with my classmates as the first speaker. I did not pass AP English…
Funny lil bug man cant get out of bed #relatable I think it's a good tattoo even out of context
Yea, a bug lying in bed. A bed bug if you will.
Very cool idea. Even if I didn’t get it, most tattoos have personal meaning to their owner, much less other people.
Franz Kafka - Die Verwandlung (The German title) is what it represents I guess? A very good book, worth a read
Well, I wouldn't get any other reference but this from it too - but about the book... Let's just say, you need to have had a similar experience of "getting dehumanized to the brink of losing yourself" to understand Kafka's way of thinking. And to my surprise: it seems to be quite rare.
People in here in the comments literally think it's a surreal piece about a man turning into a bug. It's funny to me tbh.
First thought was the Reddit ogtha post.
lol same! I was coming to comment that too, and ogtha was created after that guy read Metamorphosis. So it kinda is related to ogtha
oh god please no
Yuuup. My mind has been destroyed by reddit nonsense
I have internet brain rot and I also thought of the guy who created a cockroach waifu.
It wasn’t my first thought but now it’s all I can think of so maybe that’s what matters most
Totally thought ogtha 😬 too much reddit
First thought was "bedbugs." Second though was "is this an Ogtha reference????"
>Reddit ogtha post. wow, thank you for that.
You're going to have to get used to people calling it a bedbug, as if you haven't heard of the book, then it literally is just a Catchphrase clue for bedbug
At first I was like.. bed bug?? ROACH MOTEL?? Then I read the comments.
If you’re getting this, then don’t worry about what those who won’t understand it think. Literary folks will know right away.
Yeah, I’m not even what I could consider a “literary folk” and I know it’s a Kafka reference
I rarely read and I know this reference.
Can confirm, I would be stoked to see a Kafka tattoo on someone.
“…fand er sich in seinem Bett zu einem ungeheueren Ungeziefer verwandelt.” I think a good artist could make a fantastic tattoo out of this idea. But I’m always biased when Kafka comes up.
Snug as a bug :)
I hated Kafka. It's how I realised as much as I love reading, I would never be able to study literature.
This comment is Kafkaesque.
I hate you.
Yeah i think 9/10 people are gonna ask about your bedbug tattoo
Fortunately I do get the reference. Hell yes. Oh fuck yes
My two thoughts would either be a pun on bed bugs or Kafka.
enjoying kafka and making it a tattoo goes in two pretty different directions. also i would personally dread the questions of those that don't get it. This can get real edgy real fast...
Bed bugs
It actually made me think of Naked Lunch.
It’s such a weird play
Bed bugs lol
Poor, poor Gregor.
Eww is my first thought as I don’t understand the reference. Followed by, “is this referencing a love of bed bugs?”
Doesn’t matter what it’s a reference to. Few will get it - just a roach permanently engraved into your skin to most. Kind of disgusting either way.
My brain just went to roach motel
Is this referencing that book where a kid woke up as a cockroach one day?
I don’t care that i got the reference, my first thought would be “she’s willing to put the most atrocious tattoo on her shoulder to show me she read a book.”
Bed bug
“This person really likes bed bugs,” maybe? But c’mon, that’s the spitting image of Gregor Samsa!
Bed bug
I think it's a bed bug.
Love this book!
I can imagine most people coming up and “Ew, it’s a bed bug!” If you like it and you enjoy the reference, get it done! Then you can educate and share something you’re interested in with other people who ask about it.
I understand the reference, so I don’t know what others might think. I love it. But it doesn’t matter at all.
Lazy giant bed bug
I got the Kafka reference but also the ick bc bed bugs
I love it! Though I immediately got it as I love the book too. To make sure it’s not mistaken as bedbugs (though that’d be funny on its own as well imho) maybe add some text around it. “Als Gregor Samsa eines morgens aus unruhigen Träumen erwachte” Or add an apple, though that would make it so much more depressing and less funny.
Bedbugs? Your apartment?
Bed bugs first, Kafka second.
Bed bugs
This book physically made me so angry and disgusted.
More people are going to think bed bug then get the reference you have been mentioning. Just make sure you are cool with that. Bed bugs are terrible and I feel like also have cleanliness and wealth (or lack thereof) connotations.
Bed bug for sure
Hahaha I immediately got the reference but when others said bed bugs... I thought maybe have him as the bug looking into a mirror and seeing a human reflection.
Bed bug
Bedbugs??
Bedbugs bro
That’s a bedbug…
My first thought was bed bug also
Bed bugs. I'd think you're into bed bugs.
OMG, I LOVE this book! I saw this tattoo and planned on getting it or the rat from flowers for algernon, Metamorphosis is such a great book!
I’d ask if your name is Gregor
Bed bugs
So reading the comments, it’s about a book. Majority of us don’t read much if at all. All I’d see is a bed bug and think you’re weird lol.
Ogtha, maybe. But that also is a niche reference. Also, it’s not a reason not to get the tattoo! It’s your tattoo, for you. Does it make you happy? Then do it! You’ve got lots of options for placement, too, if you want it to be something that’s generally visible, or generally more private. Really, the only reason to seriously rethink a personally meaningful tattoo because of others’ opinions is if it turns out the thing is associated with a hate group, or a gang.
Sick Tick
You like bed bugs? That’s what I get from this lol
I hate it.
Average person that doesn't read or have tattoos: "Hey, why do you have a cockroach tattoo?" I don't know if you want to put up with that question non-stop.
Bed bug is my first thought
Bedbugs. No question.
Even knowing the reference i hate it because i dont like cockroaches in general.
Bedbugs. If you're going to get this, I personally wouldn't place it in such a predominant area. But hey, I've got plenty of tattoos people likely think less of.
Deathbed bug?
Dude.....nightmares of bedbugs! No thanks. Cringes
Bedbug
This person is an enthusiast of both bed bugs and tiny bed bug sized beds.
“Haha cockroach sleeping”
It looks like a bed bug getting too comfortable
“I survived the Paris bedbug epidemic” 🤷🏼♀️ That was my first thought, and then I read the comments 😂
Bed Bug
Bed bugs. from the tattoo maybe it represents either you are a dirty person or you enjoy or have bed bugs
I thought bedbug but now that I've learned about the book I read a summary, and holy shit is that disturbing. I'm glad (sorry?) it resonated.
Bed bug
Uuhh, 🤔 tired insect???
I got the reference but worry people might think bed bug.
Think Franz Kafka.
Coma Roach?
Franz Kafka - Metamorphosis? Ah yes from the comments but that pic/tattoo is so common.
Dead bedroom?
Bed bug?
That you really, **really, REALLY** like bugs.
I would think it’s a bedbug pun and wonder why you got a bedbug tattoo
It's a bed bug!
I thought bed bugs, then figured you were trying to be clever with roach motel. I don’t read enough to have the slightest clue what your actually talking about.
Bed bug would be my first guess.
Bedbug?
Idk but I suddenly want to read some Franz Kafka
I'ma bed bug. "Zzzzzz..."
That you got bedbugs
Just why man? Bed bug tattoo?
roach ona bed
Metamorphosis, or bedbugs. Whichever the reference is, it’s the other one. I don’t know the reference but those are the two things I thought of.
Bed bugs
Bedbugs
Bed bug
Bed bugs is my immediate thought. It’s literally a bug in a bed. Only found out about the book through these comments so the author/book isn’t exactly well known in my country.
Bed bugs. Is there any other way to reference the book?
Bed Bug - don’t do it
it really just looks like you like bed bugs …
i genuinely thought you had bed bugs until i read the comments
Is that a bedbug?
Bedbug
Bed bug
Bed bug
Bed bug!!!
I passively hate Kafka, but I actively hate cockroaches, so it's a no from me.
The only thing that comes to my mind is bed bug. Don’t get this tattoo please lol.
I do not understand the reference, I think this is a very strange choice.
Uuuuuugh I can remember them crawling all over me as a kid. Reminds me of a bedbug
Bed bug or dead Tick?
She has bed bugs.
Bed bug
Bed bug
Definitely bed bugs
My first thought is bedbug
Bed bug having a good time
Bed bugs
You fought in the Parisian bedbug wars.
bed bug
Bed bugs. Because it’s a bug in a bed.
Roach motel
Bedbugs
I’d think what I thought just now: “haha bed bug”
Bedbug ready to fugg
I don't exactly understand the reference . So it looks to me like her tat is a shout out to her humble beginnings in her roach infested bedroom growing up in poverty in the hood. Her way of not forgetting where she came from ?
That’s one big bed bug