Intergenerational Dehumanization In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka uses significant symbols to explore intergenerational familial conflict and the trade of human identity for business ventures in modern society. Firstly, Gregor’s absurd transformation into a vermin acts as a symbol that highlights his dehumanization before his metamorphosis, and magnifies his alienation from humanity. Secondly, Kafka uses the symbol of the apple to explore male machismo and Gregor’s strained relationship with his father. The first sentence of The Metamorphosis describes Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a monstrous creature. Initially, Gregor believed his metamorphosis from human to vermin was a dream, as he tried to forget the “nonsense “ of his transformation by going back to sleep. Gregor

This is a very important passage of The Metamorphosis for three reasons: firstly, the passage reveals the nature of Gregor’s metamorphosis; Secondly, the tone of the passage divulges the absurdity of Gregor’s response to transforming into a bug by exposing his passivity; and finally, the passage mentions Gregor’s job as a traveling salesman. Gregor’s transition, passivity, and employment are significant characterizations that highlight his dehumanization and affect his relationship with his father.

Before Gregor woke from troubled dreams” to find himself “transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin,” he was a traveling salesman working to pay off the debt his family had acquired five years ago after the collapse of his father’s business. Gregor is akin to a machine, as he is described as “only ever

Gregor’s boldness about his desires to vacate his employment acts as a satirical commentary on his inability to make his achievable urges a reality, both before and after his transformation. The dissonance between Gregor’s aspirations and his actions during his human life is manifested by the literal discord he experiences after his metamorphosis. For example, the morning of his transformation Gregor found it difficult to get out of bed because he couldn’t control his “little legs.” Although he would try to bend them they would instead stretch themselves out. Gregor’s mind was incapable of forcing his body to cooperate with his desires, just as Gregor was incapable of acting on his wishes before his transformation. Gregor also finds that he is no longer comfortable with his sleep position, just as he was uncomfortable with his position at work, however now he cannot ignore the discomfort because it prevents him from sleeping. The literal metamorphosis of Gregor is Kafka’s representation of the choices that lead to Gregor’s dehumanization before his transformation. Although Gregor is trying to relieve his family from debt, he has allowed his job to take control of his life and hinder his human identity. Therefore, Gregor’s metamorphosis represents a loss of human identity in modern