Power In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

In beginning of the novel Grete is submissive younger sister, who listens to her parents and does not voice her opinions. Upon finding out about Gregor’s metamorphosis she originally is reduced to tears, for her family has keep her sheltered from society, thus Grete was just an innocent young girl. However as the chapter progresses Grete turns into the only person in the family who is willing to tolerate Gregor in his insect form, Grete grows assertive protecting Gregor and continuing to treat him as her brother. As Grete continues to care for Gregor their parents begin to see Grete as a proper independent and competent woman; however, once Grete is required to work as a shop girl while also maintaining her studies her patience and fortitude begin to dwindle.

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.

For instance, Gregor family feels a big sense of relief like if their burden has been lifted off them, and they can start a new life. Grete in the end of the story is a young woman who is willing to start her career as a musician. All of them are happy, including Gregor himself who stops all this sufferings and rejections from his family. Samsa could be viewed in modern society as someone who hated his job and everyone around him, but he did not think that the human society was very human at all. Society is a very selfish place, filled with self-centered people, this is how Gregor came to be an insect to his family; Gregor was a big machine and he came to be recognized when necessity came to the house.

Gregor Samsa’s transition from human to vermin was not the only shift that happened through the duration of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. The novel is centered around Gregor who wakes up as a vermin, presumably a cockroach, which catalyses a series of emotionally traumatic experiences for him and his family, culminating in Gregor’s death. Yet the most significant change is, in fact, the gender role reversal seen both with Gregor and Grete, his sister, as Gregor becomes more effeminate and Grete becomes more emasculate, directly correlating with their societal and emotional transformation due to Gregor's physical change. From the moment, Gregor wakes up he has transformed. But not just as a vermin.

“The Metamorphosis” focuses on the alienation on a common man after he can longer do what is expected of him, this is shown by Gregor 's relationship with his family, social life, and the way he goes through live after the metamorphosis. It suggests that the common man is reduced to an insect by the modern world and his family; human nature is focused mostly around us being self absorbed. We tend to look after our own need before the needs of others. Through out “The Metamorphosis” it can be seen that the more generous and selfless one is towards others, the worse one is treated. This view is in direct conflict with the way the generous common men should be treated.

Kafka’s narration style provides different perspectives of the same situation in order to reveal how one may misinterpret the actions of others if the perspective comes from an external viewpoint. The variety in the narrative is essential to the development of Gregor’s character because through the eyes of the other characters his metamorphosis becomes undeniable and ultimately forces Gregor to conform to his new identity due to the way he is treated by his

The Repercussions of Cruelty Cruel actions lead to cruel endings. Gregor Samsa, the protagonist in Franz Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis, is turned into a bug from the mental and emotional abuse by the hands of his own family. The cruelty in the Samsa household is apparent from the beginning of the storyline. Their neglect and lack of compassion for Gregor's condition immediately sets the dark and miserable mood of the novella. Gregor’s whole existence has been about caring for his family and making sacrifices for their well being.

Friedrich Nietzsche presents several ideas on the concept of power and what humans do with it in his work “On the Doctrine of the Feeling of Power.” Such ideas can also be found interspersed into the personalities of characters in Nancy Farmer’s book The House of the Scorpion. We conceive power as a person’s ability to have others do what he wants, and Nietzsche highlights this points in various parts of his text. Having power is not bad, but people do not always use theirs for good. Finally, aspects of Nietzsche’s ideas run through each person’s individual everyday life. Power is an important part of the world and how it runs, but those who possess it do not always see it this way.

There are many circumstances in the book that tie to Franz Kafka’s life. Kafka was abused by his father as a child just as Gregor is abused by his father. “From the fruit bowl on the sideboard his father had filled his pockets, and now, without for the moment taking accurate aim, was throwing apple after apple” (Kafka 49). Gregor’s father is throwing apples at him just as Kafka was also abused by his father who would hurt him. The apple here is seen a weapon that later on leads to Gregor’s

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.

In today 's world, the moral values of your culture are reflective of who has power over you. Power is the ability to control or influence someone 's behavior and actions directly. No matter your religious views or family reputation, power can be twisted and abused at your own discretion. In both The Kite Runner and Les Miserables, power is determined by ranking of social class and how you are viewed in that society.

With a lack of empathy, one can abuse power from others. However, if one empathizes with another, they can form an equilibrium of power based on their

The effects of Gregor's metamorphosis on the rest of the Samsa family in The Metamorphosis affects the families relationships with one another, their feelings towards each other, their behavior towards Gregor and results in their own transformation as well. Grete especially, was the most affected by Gregor’s metamorphosis as she goes through her own metamorphosis to reveal her independent and authoritative qualities and ultimately reach adulthood. For instance, Grete offers to take care of Gregor out of kindness and caring, "Then, out of consideration for Gregor’s feelings, as she knew that he would not eat in front of her, she hurried out again and even turned the key in the lock so that Gregor would know he could make things as comfortable

The effects of Gregor's metamorphosis on the rest of the Samsa family in The Metamorphosis affects the families relationships with one another, their feelings towards each other, their behavior towards Gregor and results in their own transformation as well. Grete especially, was the most affected by Gregor’s metamorphosis as she goes through her own metamorphosis to reveal her independent and authoritative qualities and ultimately reach adulthood. For instance, Grete offers to take care of Gregor out of kindness and caring, "Then, out of consideration for Gregor’s feelings, as she knew that he would not eat in front of her, she hurried out again and even turned the key in the lock so that Gregor would know he could make things as comfortable

There are hundreds of works of literature out in the world, many of them are great, and some are not as great. What makes them great is the truth behind them, the true feelings, and what it truly meant to the author. Many great works of literature are influenced by several different things, in the case of “The Metamorphosis”, it was influenced by the life of Franz Kafka, the author, and his real- life experiences. The Freudian concept help explain why “The Metamorphosis” contains symbols and clues that can be used to compare certain relationships throughout Kafka’s life, one being with his father, and the other with woman who entered his life.