Metamorphosis

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Metamorphosis

Discuss the idea developed by the text creator in The Metamorphosis about the role kindness plays when individuals attempt to determine their own destiny

“Metamorphosis” written by Franz Kafka is a novella concerning a family and how they transform due to a significant event, which in this case a metamorphosis from human to vermin by the son Gregor Samsa. Kafka incorporates themes of isolation, and limited sympathy, which mimics Kafka’s own personal experiences where Kafka felt alienated from his community through anti-septism and abuse through the treatment he received from his father whilst growing up. Kindness is rarely present throughout the story, and although its sprinkled here and there, its often overshadowed and forgotten by darker themes such as isolation, alienation and limited sympathy. Furthermore destiny cannot be prevented, but only determined through fate and no act of kindness can control ones destiny. In Franz Kafka’s, “Metamorphosis,” Kafka incorporates the idea that kindness cannot control ones destiny and that it is often an obstacle that prevents ones true destiny to be fulfilled.

Mr. Samsa is characterized as a dominant and lazy figure that lived a “laborious though unsuccessful life” due to his entrepreneurial failure. Mr. Samsa forces Gregor into a non-satisfying job that forced Gregor to “constantly see new faces” that never “last or get more intimate” which made it harder for Gregor to establish a connection or a relationship, which was non-existent in his own home. This is exemplified when Gregor locked “all the doors during the night even at his home” suggesting that his home was where he was completely alienated. Furthermore, Gregor was the only secure income the family had. Gregor...

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...s at the sight of her son and when Grete. Mr. and Mrs. Samsa begin to whisper to one another due to the uncomfortable atmosphere caused by Gregor’s presence. Furthermore, these ideas of limited sympathy and alienation are reflected on Kafka’s life, which mimics Kafka’s own personal experience with his father.

Kafka’s novel shows that kindness has no effect on ones destiny because destiny is only determined through ones fate. In this case, Gregor’s destiny was for him to die so that his family can get back upon their feet and become more independent which is proven when the father continues working once again. Kafka titles his novel, as Metamorphosis not only displays the transformation of Gregor, but also the transformation of the family. Where the actions of sympathy and kindness are forgotten and are instantly transformed into actions of disgust and neglect.

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