The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, explores the theme of isolation and alienation through the main character, Gregor Samsa. In the short novella, Gregor is inexplicably and randomly transformed into an insect. Through the absurdity of his circumstances, Gregor undergoes not only a physical change but also a shift in his family relationships, which ultimately causes him to feel helpless and worthless. Gregor's sentiments of isolation and alienation are frequently reflected by his inability to perform basic tasks and his family member’s attitude toward him. Gregor’s first encounter with alienation in the story is with his own self, as he struggles to adjust to his new transformation. In the beginning, Gregor tries to communicate with his mother when she asks about his train ride, however, he …show more content…
Similarly, in modern culture, a melancholic view is often placed upon individuals who are homeless and disabled; as many are deemed as “useless” assets to society. Human beings constantly judge one another based on their appearances and certain conditions, rather than making an effort to understand different perspectives and backgrounds. Gregor in many ways is a victim of societal pressure, as people, such as his family and chief clerk, are the main reasons for Gregor’s feeling of worthlessness and alienation. Furthermore, Gregor’s solitude from his family is further exemplified through his alteration. At the beginning of the narrative, Gregor already has a relatively limited relationship with his family, since his mother describes how he spent most of his time confined in his room. Nevertheless, it is only when he experiences the transformation that the family’s genuine responses reveal their attitude toward Gregor, as his relations with them begin to deteriorate. For instance, in Chapter I, Gregor's parents' first reaction to seeing
Here Gregor is contemplating the impracticality of missing work, while completely ignoring the fact that he turned into a vermin. Gregor’s ignorance to his own personal problems highlights his dedication to pay off his family 's debts (pg 9), at the expense of his wellness. The overcast weather and the mention of his depressed mood creates a pessimistic mood which would feed into Gregor’s already gloomy outlook on life. His want to sleep and forget his problems shows a pressure that Gregor must always be under. His hardworking attitude doesn’t match up to his willingness to ignore his problems.
Gregor is being isolated and left out of his own blood family. In Part 3, the text states “In this overworked and exhausted family who had time to worry and longer about Gregor more than was absolutely necessary?” (167). Gregor becomes neglected and lives in filth. His room is used for storage and garbage.
Critical- A pattern peeking out in this passage is that the family acts as if Gregor is not even there. Though Gregor is struggling for life and filled with negativity, the family doesn't even seem to care or want to care. They just want to live on with their lives and act like nothing that is going on is wrong. They also act like everything they do is right and that Gregor deserves to be locked up. I can relate this to WWII.
After, Gregor finally manages to open the door with his mouth, his family was mortified with what they saw their family member had turned into. His mother faints, his father becomes angry and sad at the same time, and the clerk begins to back away in fear. Gregor is still able to understand what they are saying and experiencing, but he is very confused and upset as well by the situation. His father ends up shutting the door on him and leaving him locked in his room. Gregor was being isolated from his family and other civilization because he was suddenly a repelling creature.
Therefore, Gregor’s family disregarded his life both in human and vermin form. Unfortunately, Gregor never had real humanity, as this is portrayed with hobbies, socialization, and having a clear sense of knowing oneself as a person, all things Gregor lacked. As the story progresses, Gregor’s physical appearance leads the separation he faces from his family and mostly spends his days hiding in his room. Additionally, the constant reminder and the whispers he heard of how much of a burden he was seriously detriment his
The narrator said, “During the first fortnight, Gregor’s parents could not bring themselves to enter his room…” He has been disconnected from his family to the point where they’re emotionally unstable and unable to treat him as he deserves with affection and comfort to help him cope with his metamorphosis. The narrator shows this disconnection before the mutation,”Gregor later earned so much money that he was in a position to cover the expenses for the entire family…” He later described the exchange not “particularly warm”. Gregor feels alienated by his parents because of the lack of affection for him providing for them.
But when Gregor steps into the living room and gets rejected not only by the three gentlemen, but by Grete and his family, he realizes there is no hope for his acceptance. This explains why “...he was amazed at the great distance that separated him from his room, and could not understand how he had covered that distance in his weak state a little while before and almost without noticing it.” Gregor was able to cover the distance on his way to his sister so easily because he was hopeful. Now that his hope has diminished completely, the distance back seems insurmountable. The alienation that Gregor experiences from society causes the death of his individuality because society’s rejection of Gregor’s vermin self is an example of society’s belief
Throughout the literary canon, there are numerous works inspired by the author's life; stories filled with realistic settings and life-like characters. However, a work that parallels its author's life masterfully can be found in the haunting story of a man turned into an insect; Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Kafka weaves multiple themes of isolation, family, and working under societal pressures into a mirror reflecting the culture of its time back to it. Focusing on Kafka’s family history, the society of the Czech Republic at the time, and the historical context shows how deeply engrained Kafka’s life and experiences inspired his work The Metamorphosis. One of the main driving points of drama throughout the novella is Edgar’s relationship
However, his family never realizes these sacrifices and takes Gregor for granted, ultimately leading to his painful demise. Gregors perpetual devotion to his harsh family represents the unconditional love one feels for their own flesh and blood no matter how wicked they may be. The family's reaction to Gregor’s transformation into a bug demonstrates their lack of compassion for
“The next train went at seven; to catch that he would have to make frantic haste and his samples weren’t even packed up yet;” (part 1, p 78). Gregor can barely get out of bed and he is worried about how he will make it to work. It is not until he interacts with members of his family that the effects of his transformation truly affect him. One day Gregor unintentionally makes his mother pass out due to his presence and his father becomes very angry. “Pitilessly his father came on, hissing like a wild man, If only his father did not keep making this intolerable hissing sound!
Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a novel in which the reader gets to witness a normal everyday man, transform into a “monstrous vermin”. Throughout the book, the reader is able to witness Gregor’s metamorphic changes, his new life, and how the people around him were affected. In Metamorphosis, Gregor had many stresses burdened upon him throughout his life that possibly caused his transformation from a hard-working human, to a functionless bug. The main subjects of stress for Gregor come in his work. Perhaps the stresses in his life were the ultimate cause in his dramatic changes?
Gregor is the main provider within the family for the amount of income he brings, and is idolized for his role. Being raised in the 20th century, Gregor 's view on women had been the same as any other male during this time period and looked down upon women as inadequate, and, in most societies, the man provides and the woman maintains; however, this viewpoint alternates once the unexpected change in their life occurs resulting in a switch of leadership within their household. "Gregor felt very proud that he had been able to provide such a life in so nice an apartment for his parents and his sister. (21)" After his mysterious modification within his physical form, his mentality also weakened.
Once the sole provider for his family, he now becomes a burden. Internally, he is the same Gregor Samsa, but his physical appearance causes his family to alienate and mistreat him. The use of dehumanization is prevalent in the novel causing the protagonist to suffer with symptoms of depression. He is unable to be a positive contributor in society or for his family. The use of symbolism in the novel displays his isolation and humanity.
He tries to keep himself separated from his family and others, but that fails after a while. His family cannot take the sight of what he has become, except for his sister who becomes the one to look after him. In the story, Gregor’s family feels that he cannot communicate with them, but he still can understand everything they are saying. So, they lock him inside of his room away from the world. Gregor’s mother and father feel that Gregor will eventually get better, and turn back normal.
To management, workers like Gregor become disposable at the slightest infraction. Indeed, Gregor is dispensable to even his own family. When Gregor first found success at work and brought money to his family, they had been “astonished and delighted” (Kafka 27). However, their wonderment soon fades as “they had just gotten used to it” and “the money was received with thanks and given with pleasure, but no special feeling of warmth