Masculinity In The Metamorphosis

In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, the author seeks to reveal experiences that all living creatures confront, from the complexity of a human being to the simplicity of a cockroach. Kafka uses his protagonist to represent primal instincts that relate to masculinity, which is shown most significantly through Gregor’s obsession with a photograph of a woman dressed in fur. The photograph reflects certain elements of life that all masculine organisms desire, regardless of their species type or specific habitat. In the beginning of the story, the photograph is introduced as a “picture of a lady in a fur hat and stole” (Kafka 1204). Gregor frames this photograph for the purpose of having a representation of the dreams that he has in life. In almost

From the beginning of the story, it is apparent that Gregor is motivated to support his family, but his infatuation with the fur represents his desire for further success. Although most living organisms are focused primarily on survival, some populations of species depend on social hierarchies to distribute recourses. Organisms that acquire the most amount of recourses are often viewed as the leader, with the most power in the group. In human populations, wealth generally represents high social standing. As a human, Gregor admires the fur in the picture because it symbolizes his potential of achieving success. After his transformation, he is devoted to saving the picture because even as a cockroach, he wants to make progress as a living being. In The Metamorphosis Kafka uses women and fur to relate all living male organisms by revealing their need for mates and success. Although human males are much more complex than most other masculine species, they still exhibit primal instincts for survival and reproductive purposes. Gregor unifies the elaborate nature of humanity to the straightforward life of a cockroach to reveal the importance of every living species, representing masculinity in all male