Metamorphosis Rhetorical Analysis Essay

728 Words2 Pages

Throughout the course of his emotional piece The Metamorphosis, Kafka follows the development of Gregor not only as he grows into and adapts to his new form as a bug, but simultaneously, the deterioration of his family dynamics, specifically between himself and his father, as his metamorphosis becomes more and more undeniably irreversible. In the fictional world of The Metamorphosis, the impossible standards from his family on one side, and grueling workload from his manager on the other, leave Gregor in a place of hopelessness and resentment, both for his family, and himself. Kafka’s allegorical novella The Metamorphosis uses diction and symbolism to describe how the dehumanization of a person, specifically through the exploitation of love …show more content…

She then calls out to him, “Gregor- It's a quarter to seven. Didn’t you want to catch the train? (1158)” Almost as if it were up to Gregor, as she was giving him a choice, also concerned for the wellbeing of her son. This is in stark contrast to the way his father greets him, described as, “feebly, but with his fist,” exerting authority and without a hint of concern or regard for Gregor’s wellbeing, only angry that he is late for work. He later calls out to Gregor again, this time with a “deeper, warning voice,” almost threatening him to come …show more content…

Samsa disregards Gregor as a human, only seeing him as an investment, and a moneymaker.He only really cares about him when he's able to provide for the family. The motif of exploitation of familial relationships is shown throughout the story, as once Gregor reveals himself, it unleashes a large scale panic throughout the household, while Mr. Samsa sobs. This is indicative of not his love for Gregor, and his sadness at what his son has become, but rather, his agony at his only source of money that is now rendered useless. He then forces Gregor into his room, though aware of how difficult it must be with his newly enlarged shape, “drove Gregor on, as if there were no obstacle, with exceptional loudness.” Once again, the disregard for Gregor through means of physical isolation, clearly exhibits how once Gregor is deemed useless and unable to provide, he is no longer worthy of his family’s love, and therefore must be exiled into his room. Mr. Samsa’s treatment towards Gregor following his transformation only escalates to becoming more and more barbaric as the story progresses. This is evident at the end of section 2, when Gregor leaves his room for the first time since his transformation, and as his mother faints at the sight of

Open Document