Read the excerpt below, and answer the question that follows: "He was especially fond of hanging from the ceiling; it was quite different from lying on the floor; he could breathe more freely; his body had a light swing to it; and up there, relaxed and almost happy..."

How is this an illustration of irony? What larger message about the nature of humanity might Kafka have been sending here? Think about Gregor's happiness level before his transformation. Be specific in your answer.