ipl-logo

The Role Of Family In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

606 Words3 Pages

The Metamorphosis Timed Writing In Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Gregor is evidently portrayed as a savior of his family, which in turn symbolizes him as a Christ figure. The notion of Gregor being a Christ figure in the novel can be substantiated by events such as: Gregor sacrificing his life, both figuratively and literally, for the betterment of his family’s life, Grete’s change in outlook towards her beloved brother, and Mr. Samsa throwing apples at Gregor. The primary theme of family and the duties of family members towards each other drive the interactions between Gregor and his beloved family. Even though Gregor despises his job, he diligently continues to work the mundane job so that he can provide for his family – supporting his feeble parents and attempting to send his beloved sister to the conservatory. On the contrary, his family cares for Gregor after his radical change only so far as duty seems to …show more content…

Mr. Sama 's aggressive and cruel action of throwing apples at Gregor symbolizes the family 's rejection of Gregor 's inadvertent metamorphosis. Gregor is enslaved by his family because he is the only one who financially supports his family, and the family seems to treat him not as a member but as a source of income. Hence, when Gregor is no longer able to work after his metamorphosis, he is treated with revulsion and neglected. Thus, such a treatment of the family towards Gregor illustrates the underlying theme of the novel: humans are selfish, by developing the selfish nature of the family members. Kafka 's ingenious ability to employ Gregor as a symbol not only illustrates Gregor as a Christ figure in the novel, but the symbol also helps establish the underlying theme of the novel - humans are selfish at heart, as they view people valuable only as long as they have an advantageous talent. For instance, initially, the family viewed Gregor as a valuable member of the family, but after his metamorphosis they became more hostile and repugnant

Show More
Related

  • Gregor Duty To His Father

    507 Words  | 3 Pages

    He is willing to take on anyone in order to support his family, which plays into the theme of family duty. Also, Gregor’s determination and military experience (pg 12) is displayed in his plan making and strategizing to capture his manager. The loyalty to his family, displayed by working and trying his best to keep a job he doesn’t want, gives insight into Gregor’s character. The unhealthy relationship Gregor has with his family is very common for a character in Franz Kafka’s book. His own tumultuous relation reflected onto his characters lives.

    Read More

  • Cruelty In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    259 Words  | 2 Pages

    Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “Man is the cruelest animal.” In regards to The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s family is less human than Gregor – even if he is in the body of a bug. In chapter 1, it is explained that Gregor worked long and hard in order to support his family while they did not enter the workforce for five years. In return, when Gregor wakes up as a bug, no one in his family throw themselves to find a way to ‘bring Gregor back’. Although he is a bug, he possesses human thoughts and behaves in a respectful manner when his sister enters his room every day.

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Gregor Samsa's The Metamorphosis

    968 Words  | 4 Pages

    Gregor delivers for his family in much the same way as a creature would offer for its nest or store. He expenses almost all aspects of fun, and does not desire to do anything but work. Eventually, his income becomes less of a substantial act, and more of an anticipation. His family 's existence rests solely on his shoulders, just as a queen bee relies on the worker bees. Gregor’s metamorphosis is representative of this commodification of man.

    Read More

  • Gregor Dialectical Journal

    959 Words  | 4 Pages

    Each family member experiences a metamorphosis, because each of them started to despise Gregor and thought that he was ridiculous. But in irony all of them also became savages and just waited for gregor to die to start a new lifestyle with his sister, so they were more disgusting and absurd than Gregor turning into a bug. “ [Mr. and Mrs. Samsa] thought that it would soon be time, too, to find her a good husband. And it was like a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions”, these were some of thoughts of the mother and father after the death of Gregor, this shows how little they cared for their son. They were ready to start a new life which symbolizes the metamorphosis the family is going through.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Johnny Got His Gun By Dalton Trumbo

    956 Words  | 4 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    758 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Franz Kafka’s novella “The Metamorphosis”, Gregor Samsa is a travelling salesman who has been turned into a “monstrous vermin” overnight. The story follows the events that happen after this transformation, such as how the different family members treat Gregor. At the end of the book Gregor dies, and the novella concludes with the family future plans after Gregor’s death. After reading the novella, I think that looking at the ending of of the novella, the readers are definitely left with a sense of hope because the future prospects of the family are very promising, and the family also has a clear future for their daughter.

    Read More

  • Grete's Metamorphosis: Chapter Analysis

    1321 Words  | 6 Pages

    1. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis his family treats with moderate respect, for they make sure he is always following his schedule and is never late for work. Gregor before his metamorphosis is seen as an asset to his family, for he provides another source of income for them, a better opportunity to life comfortably. However, along with this sense of comfort his family also treats him rather distant from a son, and a brother.

    Read More

  • Identity In Ovid's Metamorphosis

    1857 Words  | 8 Pages

    Franz Kafka, heavily influenced by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, devises the character Gregor Samsa in order to portray a detailed experience of an individual’s metamorphosis. Kafka’s narration style differs greatly from Ovid’s, in that, the narration begins with a first person perspective and changes to a third person narration, which remains consistent to the end of the novel. Unlike the stories within the Metamorphoses, there is a clear contrast in the portrayal of Gregor’s transformation. Ovid and Kafka’s depiction of a metamorphosis incorporates the concept of identity in the individual’s transition, however Kafka emphasizes the family dynamic and the hostility Gregor feels. Gregor’s family’s inability to look past Gregor’s exterior appearance

    Read More

  • Gender Roles In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    1047 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Cruelty In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    777 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Public Shaming In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    862 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the "Metamorphosis" Kafka uses metaphors to show several ways that public shaming can lead to the harm of one’s self-esteem; eventually leading to complete isolation. Throughout the story Gregor was isolated from his social life, his family life, and his professional life. The amount of shame that Gregor encountered also led to the lack of communication between him and the members of his family. Although Gregor experienced extreme isolation and self-hate due to public shame, he is one of many people who deal with the pressure of society on a daily basis. The amount of shame and doubt is experienced by people in our society every day and has become somewhat of a norm.

    Read More

  • Mr. Samsa In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    616 Words  | 3 Pages

    1. Almost from the very beginning of Gregor’s metamorphosis, Mr. Samsa has been unwilling to accept Gregor as his son. Furthermore, Gregor’s transformation into an offensive form of an insect, constantly reminds Mr. Samsa of the grotesque, feeble, and pathetic aberration that he has fathered. Consequently, now that Gregor has genuinely revealed himself in all his audacious behavior, his cruel father is driven to destroy him. In his eyes, Gregor has become everything loathsome to him—scrawny, parasitic, and futile—not the kind of son this once successful and ambitious storekeeper could be proud of.

    Read More

  • Feminism In The Metamorphosis

    795 Words  | 4 Pages

    He became embodied by his weak form and closed off to the real world, literally. Gregor’s influence on his family also allowed his father to grow as an individual and appear superior when dressing within his

    Read More

  • Examples Of Dehumanization In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

    753 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Economic Drive In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    1504 Words  | 7 Pages

    Kafka uses diction and symbolism to convey the family’s dissatisfaction and the deterioration in their family ties. Each family member acquires a job to compensate the loss of Gregor’s salary. Kafka writes: “They were fulfilling to the utmost the demands the world makes on the poor: Gregor’s father fetched breakfast for the petty employees at the bank, his mother sacrificed herself for the underclothes of strangers, his sister ran back and forth behind the shop counter at her costumers’ behest... And the wound in Gregor’s back would begin to ache anew when… Gregor’s mother…would say: ‘shut the door now Grete’; and Gregor was left in the dark again” (Kafka

    Read More

More about The Role Of Family In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

Open Document