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The Use Of Irony In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

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Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is an example of how archetypal irony can shape an entire work. Gregor Samsa our main character is not concerned at all with his own personal wellbeing when he awakes to discover this twist. He is concerned with the inconvenience that it may have on those around him. Even through his death we see the truth behind those who he is most concerned with, which in itself is ironic. Irony is first seen when a man wakes up to find that a cruel twist of fate has turned him into a giant beetle. Irony is used to separate what is perceived and what is reality. Immediately we are drawn into the climaxing of the story. We meet Gregor Samsa, the main character and he has been transformed from a human to a bettle overnight. Gregor provides the reader a vivid description of his new self and explains in depth his attempts at maneuvering around. One strange thing Gregor never does is panic; ironically he is more concerned with getting to work. Most people would have been in complete disarray when they discovered the new body provided. In Gregor’s case what is perceived is that he will be able to continue on living his normal existence after …show more content…

The resemblances of his father’s existence reversed. The father begins work and receives a complete renewal, as the leader of the family. The mother finds her own sense of self without the worry and doubt. While his sister matures into woman all while molting her innocence and naivety. While the initial metamorphosis is repulsive to his father who literally tries to thrust his son back into the room after the discovery, and the confusion of his mother, it is Grete who takes on the motherly role for her older brother. She feeds and cares for him all the while his parents refuse to accept the ridiculousness of this situation. Even Grete as she grows older her fondness for her brother as the beetle also turns to

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