The Novel The Fantastic And Somewhat Ridiculous...

The topic of metamorphosis in literature is not a unique concept, in fact more than one great piece of literature have used this topic to talk about the theme of morality and identity. to show In his novella The Breast Philip Roth uses the story of the fantastic and somewhat ridiculous transformation of Professor David Kepesh into a 155 lb human breast to show the changes in one’s moral identity and the identities of those close to them over a period of metamorphosis. Roth uses three stages or crises in The Breast, new and insatiable sexual urges, exposure to less virtuous persons the struggle with madness and yearnings for earthly delights the acceptance of reality, to highlight these changes in morality and identity. After, of course, the initial shock of waking up in hospital and being informed he has transformed into a 155 lb. breast the first crisis Kepesh experiences is regarding his sexuality and sexual pleasure. Although he has transformed physically, Kepesh retains a male consciousness. Earlier in the story Kepesh tells us about his sudden increase in sexual appetite with his girlfriend Claire Ovington that he described as â€Å"a kind of pleasure that made me writhe and claw at the sheets, made me twist and turn in the bed with a helpless abandon that I had previously associated more with women than with men—and women more imaginary than real.† (Roth 11). This is the first we learn of Kepesh’s sexuality and sex drive, and also the first sign of the impending