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Use of Symbolism in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
Use of Symbolism in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
Use of Symbolism in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
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Grete again furthers her argument on why Gregor needs to disappear. She believes that if the bug were actually Gregor, he would have realized that a creature is unfit to live among humans. She believes that if it were actually Gregor, he would have gone away on his own free will. I believe that her logic is wrong. Bugs are not able to think, so how does she expect the bug to think like Gregor? She knows the Vermin is Gregor, but she is denying it as in a way to disregard him. She believes that if the vermin disappears, then she would no longer have a brother, but would have his memories to honor. She is tired of how the bug persecutes them, and drives the boarders away. She thinks that the bug/Gregor wants them to live in a gutter, while he
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
This title holds more weight than what meets the eye. It is more than his actual metamorphosis from human to bug. There are many transformations that take place in this novel, even more than the obvious physical change. With the physical change of Gregors body, he also goes through a psychological change with it. When he was a human, his family depended on him. He quickly ended up depending on his family as he could not do anything on his own. His morale also diminishes throughout the novel. We were introduced to him as a very hopeful man who wanted to pay off his family’s debts. In the end, he loses hope and gives up on himself for the wellbeing of his family. Along with Gregors change in the novel, the title represents the change of other characters as well. From beginning to end, Grete transforms from a girl to a young lady. She also becomes more independent on herself by taking on more responsibility and getting a job. The family also must make some changes because they do not have Gregor to support them financially. This finally forces them to all get jobs and give up some luxury things they had
She renounced the idea that Gregor could actually still be there. Despite hesitation from her father Grete demanded his removal, “It has to go… that’s the only answer father” (Kafka 49). This illustrates that he went from a person to a thing in Grete’s eyes. The lack of remorse she displays after his death further solidifies her feelings. Gregor was betrayed by the person he least expected and it was one of the main influences in his
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
When Gregor’s secret is revealed, his becoming a bug, Grete is the only one that actually cares for him. Grete cleans his room, brings him food, puts his chair by the window so he can look out of it, and invents the idea to move the furniture so he has space to run around. She, of course, is scared of him
Gregor sticks to the same mindset that he had even before the change. Even though Gregor awakes one morning to find himself transformed into a giant bug, his thoughts don’t seem to change at all. The transformation is a sign of the breakdown of Gregor’s mind and his alienation. The audience is not told how the transformation happened or why; the event just happens unexpectedly. His life should have turned upside down bu...
In the novella The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, the author analyzes change and its repercussions in its entirety. Kafka offers a unique perspective as he follows the transformation of the main character, Gregor Samsa. The transformation from human to insect, as exemplified by Gregor, helps the reader understand Kafka's portrayal of Samsa as a character. The reaction of Gregor's family and their own transformation throughout the progression of the story also provides readers with Kafka's thoughts on change and alienation as well as other key themes. One may argue that the two most prominent transformations were that of Gregor and his sister Grete. Although Gregor's personality remains relatively consistent throughout, his physical transformation serves as the basis of the plot which strengthens its prominence. Grete goes through several changes throughout the novella as well. Grete's transformation from girl to woman holds nearly as much significance as Gregor's. Ultimately, each member of the Samsa family undergoes transformations of various degrees. Throughout the novella, the relationships between the Samsa family emphasizes the common practice of completely disregarding someone once they have changed in a way that doesn't abide by the standards society has deemed as acceptable. Through the use of Gregor Samsa as well as other characters, Kafka expresses his ideas on change and the stigma that is, at times, associated with it which can lead to alienation; each character can also serves as a metaphor by representing society and our tendency to reject people based on their flaws physically or personality-wise.
Many views of existentialism are exposed in Kafka's Metamorphosis. One of these main views is alienation or estrangement which is demonstrated by Gregor's relationship with his family, his social life, and the way he lives his life after the metamorphosis. Namely, it suggests that man is reduced to an insect by the modern world and his family; human nature is completely self absorbed. Kafka reflects a belief that the more generous and selfless one is, the worse one is treated. This view is in direct conflict with the way things should be; man, specifically Gregor should be treated in accordance to his actions. Gregor should be greatly beloved by his family regardless of his state. This idea is displayed in three separate themes. First, Gregor's family is only concerned with the effect Gregor's change will have on them, specifically the effect it will have on their finances and reputation. They are more than willing to take completely gratuitous advantage of Gregor; he works to pay their debt and they are happy to indulge themselves with luxury. Gregor is the soul employed member of his family and this is their primary interest when Gregor is transformed. Secondly, Gregor is penalized for his efforts to be a good son, and a good worker; his toils are completely taken for granted by his family. The Samsa family is not interested in Gregor beyond their own needs, outsiders are reverentially treated. Thirdly, it is displayed by the positive changes that occur in the Samsa family as Gregor descends into tragedy and insignificance. As Gregor's life becomes more painful, isolated, and worthless the Samsa family becomes more functional and self-reliant.
Franz Kafka wrote the short story Metamorphosis in 1912. No one can truly know what he aimed to accomplish with the story, but it is thought he wrote it to demonstrate the absurdity of life. The story is written with a very simplistic undertone, ignoring how completely ludicrous the situation that Gregor Samsa and his family are in. Metamorphosis is most often thought of in the scientific meaning of the word, which according to dictionary.com is a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism. It is also defined as a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft or any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc. This word is generally reserved for describing how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, a good analogy for the process of metamorphosis. It brings to mind a pleasant event, very unlike what Gregor and his family experience. We as readers only get to see things through Gregor’s eyes. Does this skew our understanding of the story, and how do Gregor and Grete’s metamorphoses differ, and how are they alike?
In the novel, The Metamorphosis, Kafka writes about a man who one day transformed into a bug. Kafka’s own feelings of nothingness caused this story to shape into this unique story. Kafka writes, “The dream reveals the reality, which conception lags behind. That is the horror of life – the terror of art” (qtd. In Kennedy and Gioia 299). Kafka said this as a rebuttal to a friend trying to pry information out of him about The Metamorphosis. Kafka meant that the true burden of art is that a person’s experiences will always heavily influence their creations, and that is horrifying. It is clearly shown in his writings that his personal experiences helped shape the story The Metamorphosis. Every little detail about Gregor’s life is a reflection of Kafka’s own life. Gregor’s family, job, and dreams all were influenced by Kafka’s personal experiences. His father was domineering just as Gregor’s father controlled him after he turned into an insect. He had a horrid job just as Gregor did, and he lived at his parent’s house for most of his life. Gregor’s dreams of being free from his job and parents were also Kafka’s dreams. Kafka’s reality is shown in his story, The Metamorphosis, through Gregor’s family and dreams of freedom.
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:
Grete Samsa is Gregor’s sister who takes care of him after the transformation. The sister-brother relationship the two had fades away quickly. While Grete had previously agreed to clean his room and feed him, she now becomes impatient and arrogant. She intentionally leaves his room dirty and unkempt. Grete spends time playing violin and dreams that one day she might visit the conservatory. Gregor had intended to make this dream come into reality. After Gregor’s tra...
Other than being a traveling salesman, Gregor also has the role to provide for his family, but that changes when he becomes a bug. His job prevented him from having an emotional connection with his family since he was never home, yet he provided for them, maintaining them in a certain class system. He was “proud of himself for having been able to provide his parents and sister with a life like that, in such a beautiful apartment” (Kafka 25). This passage shows that as a bug, Gregor finally sees the life he has been able to give to his family. He feels like he has done a good job and is proud. However, once Gregor transforms into a bug, the family’s main concern was their finances, not Gregor. The Samsa family only saw their son as a source of
There are many curious ways to begin a story, but introducing the main character as he has transformed into a gargantuan pest fills the readers with enough confusion and curiosity to read more. Gregor’s external appearance has changed to reflect how he feels inwardly, which is alienated, unwanted and different than others. In the novella, The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka utilizes symbolism through Gregor’s metamorphosis as his family begins to treat him differently and as Gregor is kept from the things he wants.
Life is a never-ending metamorphosis. It is always changing, always transforming. Sometimes a change is followed by positive results, but on the darker side, a metamorphosis can lead to damage or suffering. But of course, the concept of metamorphosis can also be related into the wonderful yet unrealistic world of magic and sorcery. Metamorphosis can mean a rapid transformation from one object to another or a distinct or even degenerative change in appearance, personality, condition, or function. The concept of metamorphosis is commonly used in pieces of literature to describe an extreme change in character or form.