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The metamorphosis relates to kafka's life
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Analysis of kafka's metamorphosis
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How does one pick sides between their brother and their parents? In the short story “The Metamorphosis,” Franz Kafka depicts the life of Gregor Samsa- a young man who had unexplicably transformed into a bug. While it is easy to see Gregor’s dramatic physical change, the character who changed most significantly is Grete Samsa, Gregor’s sister. Unlike Gregor’s change in appearance, Grete’s change is occuring from within, which is evident in her behavior throughout the story. Her constant internal struggle between caring for Gregor and doing what’s best for her parents results in an evolving personality that ultimately transforms Grete from a child to an independent young woman. In the beginning of the story, Kafka shows that Grete is a loving …show more content…
At first, Grete takes on a caring role when it comes to handling the bug she once called her brother. While the sight of Gregor was difficult for Grete to bear, she knew if she didn’t care for him, then he would surely die. So, when their parents were asleep, Grete “brought him [food] to test his taste” (Kafka, 153). This reveals two things about the family’s current situation. For one, the parents obviously want nothing to do with Gregor which is why Grete cares for him in secret. Secondly, Grete has become much more mature through this process. She has become a mother-like figure to Gregor by caring and looking out for him. This is a significant transformation for Grete because her brother had always been the one who looked out for her, but now the roles are reversed. Although Grete develops this caring personality, she goes through another change in character later in part two. Once the mother is finally allowed to see Gregor, things start to take an unexpected turn in the way Grete behaves towards her brother. When Gregor accidentally made his mother faint, he noticed that his sister “wanted to… chase him down from the wall” (Kafka, 162) and she even snapped at him verbally. This moment in the story highlights Grete’s change in character. Now she realizes that Gregor is only making things harder for the family and has recognized the importance of her parents’ well-being rather …show more content…
This is evident in the way Grete is willing to make some suggestions that seem harsh towards Gregor, but are beneficial for the family as a whole. In part three of the story, Grete tells her parents, “‘things cannot go on any longer in this way’” (Kafka, 174) while discussing what they should do with Gregor. Grete’s change is even more apparent in the sense that she will not let Gregor live at the expense of her parents’ happiness. While this is a difficult situation, Grete is able to make this decision, which shows she has become much more responsible compared to the beginning of the story. Furthermore, as she continues to express to her parents that it’s time for Gregor to go, she explains “‘if you don’t understand that, well, I do” (Kafka, 174). This is another huge part of Grete’s transformation as she no longer cares about being the “hero” of the family. At first all she wanted to do was care for her brother, but as her character transforms, so do her priorities. Grete is willing to appear insensitive towards Gregor if that means her parents will be relieved of all their stress. With this mentality, it is easy to see that Grete has become a responsible young adult over the course of this story. Some people might argue that Gregor is the one who changed the most in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis” because his physical appearance is so different. This argument
It is notable that Grete is a very good violin player. We see that Grete seems to take care of Gregor in a way, but that leads to her starting to act like his owner, and that he is a piece of property. “She had grown accustomed, certainly not without justification, so far as a discussion of matters concerning Gregor was concerned.” (Kafka, 161) Though, near the end of the story, Grete begins to care less and less for her older brother, and eventually decides to let him go. ““He must go,” cried Gregor’s sister” (Kafka, 176) It's just another example of Gregor never fitting in. He is stereotypically, just a bug. A quote, more than less an example that really hits it
Also, the short sentence structure shows their curtness and distaste for Gregor when he is the subject of the conversation. Additionally, dialogue helps show the reader that change causes rejection. Grete’s dialogue towards Gregor changes throughout his metamorphosis. Eventually in the book Gete “In front of this monstrous creature, refuses to pronounce [her] brother’s name…” (Kafka 47). She used to have a very good relationship with her brother, Gregor, but now her dialogue indicates otherwise. She can not even bare to say his name, showing that she is rejecting him as a friend and brother. His change also leads to Grete calling him a monstrous creature which is a rejection of his physical self. The Caretaker is in a similar situation as she used to talk to Gregor by name and after he changed she rejected him and did the same as Grete. Moreover, symbolism is used with the apple to emphasize the point that Gregor has become rejected by his family. It is mentioned that “no one dared to remove the apple, it remained in his flesh as a visible reminder.” (Kafka 38). No one was willing to even touch or help him overcome an injury they
His parents cannot bear to look at him and are violent towards him. However, Grete showed affection for Gregor. She took care to notice what Gregor’s likes and dislikes were, became his spokesperson, and the only link between Gregor and his parents. She is very considerate and believes Gregor will be more comfortable if the furniture is removed so that he is able to move around more. From this, we can see a loving and caring relationship between brother and sister.
Grete at the beginning of Gregor’s transformation turned into the primary caregiver; however by doing this her inexperience ended up hurting Gregor. A decision was made to remove Gregor’s possessions by Grete despite quarrel from her mother, “Into a room in which Gregor ruled the bare walls all alone, no human being beside Grete was ever likely to set foot.” (Kafka 32). This was understandable considering she was the only one that was helping Gregor, but Grete let too much power go to her head. Unlike this unintentional pain she caused Gregor, she purposely began to abandon him and chose to give up hope.
Grete’s isolation from society stems from her passion and interest for her loved ones. Grete spends all her time at home caring for her family members. Kafka describes her as “perceptive; she had already begun to cry when Gregor was still lying calmly on his back” (Kafka 16). Throughout the text she becomes the sole reason Gregor stays alive. Grete spends her days worrying about the various foods Gregor likes and dislikes, how to make his room more comfortable, and trying to make him feel more comfortable. Gregor is not the only family member whose health is cared for by Grete. “Now his sister, working with her mother, had to do the cooking too; of course that did not cause her much trouble, since they hardly ate anything” (Kafka 25). Kafka incorporates household chores and her mother’s illness, escalating Grete’s isolation. During her mother’s many asthma attacks, Grete arrives first
But everyone’s family bonding is quite different. As far as Kafka novella, this family state has lack of communication and feelings. However, when it comes to financial support, the Samsa family depends on Gregor. Sadly, while the oldest child is the family breadwinner, he is better yet the most divided one. But overall, he would rather have his family live a better life than having them worry about anything.
...increase her figure in the eyes of her parents. It was basically Grete who looked up to Gregor, but now it is flipped around. Lastly Grete states "It will be the death of you two, I can see it coming." Grete continues to insist that Gregor is no longer part of the family. In fact, according to her, Gregor is contributing to the disintegration of the family and must be killed to help save the family. Grete was the concerned one and now she refuses to call him her brother, and insists that he has to be disposed of just like any old household pest.
Gregor Samsa’s mother, whose name is never revealed, is a physically and constitutionally weak woman. She cares dearly for Gregor which is first shown by her distress as Gregor does not wake up at his usual time. It is evident that Gregor’s mother has the hardest time coping with his transformation. She can not bear to lay eyes upon Gregor. Though she has trouble adjusting, she doesn’t stop loving her only son. As Gregor’s mother and sister begin to move furniture out of his room, his mother stops to contemplate whether this is the right course of action. As Sheldon Goldfarb states in his critical essay, “When his mother and sister start removing his furniture, his mother's second thoughts provoke him to resist: he does not want to give up his human past and the possibility of returning to it” (Goldfarb). On the outside, Gregor’s mother reacts with repulsion at the sight of the bug, but on the inside still cares deeply about her son underneath. Gregor is able to see this and it gives him new hope.
Relying on Gregor to support their lifestyle for years, Gregor’s mother, father and sister, Grete, no longer have any use for him once he is transformed into a bug. The transformation is more of an inconvenience to them than a tragedy. Now, the must go out and get jobs, and instead of Gregor taking care of them, they now are responsible for taking care of Gregor. Grete uses her brothers new outer casing as a way to gain respect and power in the family by becoming his caregiver (1093).Grete continues to gain power in the family, as Gregor begins to descend to the bottom of the family hierarchy. His entire family is disgusted by his new form and terrified of his next move. They resent Gregor and consider him to be a burden, taking care of him slowly begins to ruin their lives. Gregor’s family only seem to care about themselves and ignore the blatant issues that Gregor must be going through
The relationship between Gregor and his sister Grete is perhaps the most unique. It is Grete, after all, with whom the metamorphosed Gregor has any rapport, suggesting the Kafka intended to lend at least some significance to their relationship. Grete's significance is found in her changing relationship with her brother. It is Grete's changing actions, feelings, and speech toward her brother, coupled with her accession to womanhood that seems to parallel Gregor's own metamorphosis. This change represents her metamorphosis from adolescence into adulthood but at the same time it marks the final demise of Gregor. Thus, certain symmetry is to be found in "The Metamorphosis." While Gregor falls in the midst of despair, Grete ascends to a self-sufficient, sexual
By Mr. Samsa’s stowing his pain in his proverbial soul effects his actions in life and the people surrounding him including his children. His childhood equally lacked a health structure. When family coexists under the same household, especially children, they begin to take on certain roles in the family. Grete’s role in the family structure was the one as the initiator. She’s the one who suggested killing Gregor or disposing of him and the father followed pursuit in agreement.
...he unknown nourishment he craved” (Kafka 1184). He is erroneous to think that he can connect with Grete by expressing his appreciation for her music, and the stage is set for his complete dismissal and condemnation by his family, which is basically an ultimate death sentence.
...regor dies, while Grete lives. We as readers will never know the true reason behind Kafka’s Metamorphosis, but it is a masterpiece. It relates surprisingly well to today’s society even though it was written between 1912 and 1915. The topic of metamorphosis is really universal, we as humans are constantly changing, growing and evolving.
Grete is a character who appears to have the most tolerance for Gregor shortly after his metamorphosis. Gregor was apparently rather fond of his sister and had hoped to finance her education in a conservatory. He was also rather mesmerized with her violin playing. His inability to follow through with these planned acts of kindness may have led to a faster deterioration of Grete’s maintenance of Gregor’s room. Although she could never get used to Gregor’s new freakish appearance, she was his sole provider throughout his life after the metamorphosis:
He cannot talk like a normal human anymore. He cannot do his job any longer which was the Samsa family’s only income. Grete, Gregor’s younger sister, also goes through a transformation of her own. Grete is forced to transform from a child into an adult as she takes