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Metamorphosis symbolism essay
Discuss symbolism in metamorphosis
Metamorphosis symbolism essay
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There are many symbols in The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, and many interpretations of the various symbols. Gregor’s transformation and subsequent deterioration work together to make a statement about the human condition composed of the essentials of human existence. Also, If we compare our own lives to that of Gregor Samsa, it's easy to feel happier, or more satisfied, or at least less tormented than he is.
In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka makes many interpretations of various symbols throughout the novel. Three symbols that stand out to the reader the most are the picture of the woman in the furs, the father’s uniform, and vermin. The picture of the woman in the furs shows a woman wearing a fur hat, a fur boa, and a thick fur muff that covers her arms which Gregor becomes attracted to and grows a strong attachment to the picture. The pictures is a symbol for Gregor’s sexuality and raises
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It’s clear to the reader that Gregor Samsa was having difficulties becoming happy in life, or at least satisfied. After reading The Metamorphosis, it makes the reader realize that they should be more thankful and appreciative of their life and to not take things for granted. Gregor was clearly unhappy before he became a vermin, but after he did, he went from unhappy to tormented and emotionally distraught and disturbed. As Gregor reflects to himself, he thinks, "Oh God," he thought, "What a grueling job I've picked! […] I've got the torture of traveling, worrying about changing trains, eating miserable food at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate." This quote reveals that you’d expect that The life of a salesman would be a good thing to someone who transformed into a vermin, but that's not the case for Gregor. Gregor views the life of a salesman as a dehumanizing
Before the transformation, Gregor was a human form of nonchalant reclusiveness. It’s almost as if it was crucial for him to go through the conversion so he could become more emotionally aware despite the irony of him not even being human but a bug. For someone who has been human for about 20 years with absolutely no experience of being an insect, then suddenly become more humane as a creature is odd and outlandish. Gregor’s care for his family increases and begins to worry about their loss of financial and emotional security. He fears that what “if all the peace, the comfort, the contentment were to come to a horrible end?” Gregor’s attitude towards his transformation is hopelessly mundane: he does not question why he has been transformed into a cockroach. Significantly, he fails to find the horror and the absurdity in the situation. Right before his death, Gregor feels all kinds of warm and fuzzy feelings about his family members. Despite his pathetic condition, he seems more humane than the rest of the characters. In a way, Gregor’s transformation and all of the events after that day illustrates both the rewards and sacrifices of defying social convention and living the extraordinary
In the original story Metamorphosis by Kafka uses the main character Gregor Samsa as a metaphorical representation of himself; as the purpose was likely to express the his own personal feelings of depression and isolation, as he was suffering from depression. Although Gregors biggest dilemma is not that he awoke a vermin, but that he is late for his train which will inadvertently cause him to be late for work. Gregors main concern that morning was “I’ve got to get up, my train leaves at five” (pg. 95). In this story Kafka ensures to convey that the major concern in Gregors mind is his fear that he will be late for the train and his work as he is already
The Metamorphosis is about a man who is frustrated with his job and family responsibilities. After working five long years to support his parents and sister after his father lost his job, he awakes to find himself changed into a bug. In this compelling novella that is a metaphor in itself, Kafka uses syntax, dialogue, and symbolism to help the readers understand the theme change causes rejection. For example, syntax in the book shows the reader that change leads to rejection. After Gregor has turned into a bug, his family says “We have to try to get rid of it,” “It’s got to go” (Kafka 47). This syntax is a major change from before, as long sentences and more elaborate syntax were used in the beginning of the book, and his own family does not
‘’This internal lack of self-esteem and the insecurities it produces are heightened by the change in his body. One of the major problems to reading The Metamorphosis is accepting Gregor’s transformation as literal and not merely symbolic; he has really turned into an insect. The strangeness of this fact, along with his and his family’s reactions to it, is what makes the narrative so fascinating and rich in interpretative possibilities’’(Silet). In the Metamorphosis it’s quite odd the way his family reacts to him during his transformation from a human to a creature. They act as if it was something common like, a flu or something. The fact that Gregor initially greets his metamorphosis with a chilling calm suggests that he previously saw himself as vermin like. In the same sense even when he knew he was a bug all he could think about was not being late for work. And even though Gregor was not the best salesmen he made going to work a priority because he wanted to provide for his family, Gregor never missed
Gregor’s transformation to a Vermin created a new life of separation and isolation for him. Before Gregor’s transformation he already felt isolated and stressed out because he was the only one working and he didn’t have that good of a relationship within his family. Kafka states “Constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate.” Gregor is a traveling salesman who sees new people all the time and can never maintain a long lasting relationship with anyone. He is stuck at home over the course of the story; he's still unable to make a connection with anyone this was just the start to his isolation. Franz Kafka once said” His room, a regular human room, only a little on the small side, lay quiet between the four familiar walls.”(pg.2)After the transformation, Gregor takes a look at his room. The expression a "regular human room," is for humans and not for vermin’s like him, and suggests that he's already feeling uncomfortable in his own room. Gregor started feeling more isolated due to his transformation to a bug. One of the things that bothered him was his appearance. Sheldon Goldfarb agrees alongside with this by stating “Even Gregor realizes this, and tries to hide his repulsiveness from his mother and sister when they enter his room. He spends hours arranging a sheet to cover himself so they will not have to see them.” Gregor is afraid of what he has become and believes the...
The ironic lesson that is learned from reading The Metamorphosis is that Gregor Samsa experiences a metamorphosis in the bodily sense only; theoretically Gregor had always been a bug and becoming one bodily has no consequence on his pleasure of life. After understanding that he is no longer human, Gregor's thought developments experience no alteration. Out of all the things Gregor could revolution into, he alterations into a creature. One cannot help but draw counterparts between the Gregor's life and an insect's life. Most bugs, especially ants and bees, have some sort of labor force that deliver for the rest of the group. Gregor delivers for his family in much the same way as a creature would offer for its nest or store. He expenses almost all aspects of fun, and does not
The story The Metamorphosis revolves around Gregor Samsa, a devoted son and brother who works tirelessly to provide for his family, waking up finding out that he has been transformed into a larger than life insect. Franz Kafka enlightens the readers to how being dependent on one person can lead a family to being weak when that support system is ripped away from them. The situations that Gregor is put into knocks him down from the head of the family into nothingness while at the same time boosts his family from that nothingness into being a strong support system for each other. Gregor 's transformation, his dependency on his sister for food, his injury, the family choosing strangers over him, and ultimately his death are all things that lead to this downfall, or metamorphosis.
In Kafka's Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa, whose life is controlled by his work and family, wakes up a giant insect. Prior to this metamorphosis, Gregor obsequiously goes about his life of routine, despite his hatred for his works and a complete emotional disconnect between Gregor and the family which he works so hard to support. Gregor's metamorphosis marks an important transition in Gregor's life as well as an escape from the monotony of his previous life. Sokel theorizes that Gregor's metamorphosis allows Gregor to express previously repressed feelings of rebellion while not being held accountable for his these tendencies stating "The metamorphosis enables Gregor to become free and stay "innocent", a mere victim of uncontrollable calamity."(206). While his metamorphosis does allow him to free himself from some of the suffering, it traps him in a new cycle, trapped by his families obligation to help him. Throughout his life, Gregor is plagued by a cycle of suffering caused by his families dependence on him which leads to further alienation leading to a dependence on his family's dependence. Though Gregor is broken out of this cycle in his metamorphosis he does not find true freedom until his death.
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.
Symbolism is the author’s way of pulling the reader’s heart into a story, creating a pathway for emotional investment and entanglement. Franz Kafka uses this technique well in his short story, “The Metamorphosis.” There are many small examples of symbolism throughout his work, but the entire story itself, in which the main character transforms into a bug, is a symbol for how Kafka views himself. This particular protagonist, Gregor Samsa, becomes a burden and hardship to his family after his change, and Kafka felt the same way about himself in real life. Symbolism is paramount in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” because it allows him to convey multiple meanings at one time, establishes more relatable characters, and makes complex ideas easier for the reader to understand.
People want their family to love and support them during times of need, but if they are unable to develop this bond with their family members, they tend to feel alone and depressed. In the novel The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Kafka describes the theme of alienation and its negative effect on people and their relationships with the people around them. This theme can be shown through Gregor Samsa, the main character in The Metamorphosis. After Gregor’s metamorphosis, or transformation, he is turned from a human being into a giant bug which makes him more and more distant from the people in his life. The alienation that Gregor experiences results in his eventual downfall, which could and would happen to anyone else who becomes estranged from the people around them. Gregor’s alienation and its effect on his relationship with his family can be shown through his lack of willing interaction with his family members due to his inability to communicate to them, the huge burden he puts on the family after his metamorphosis, and his family’s hope to get rid of him because he is not who he was before.
Gregor Samsa loses all aspects of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is described in five basic steps: self actualization, recognition, belonging, security, and physiological needs. Gregor Samsa had all of these levels taken away from him and ultimately comes to the same conclusion as Maslow. Without these five levels, a man cannot psychologically convince himself that living is worth the struggle. Gregor comes to this point of having none of these pieces and decides that he, and his family, would be better off without a Gregor Samsa in the world. He then starves himself to death to end this tragic illustration of our psychological
When comparing Franz Kafka and his personal life to The Metamorphosis it is obvious in more ways than one that he was writing a twisted story of his life. The emotional and physical abuse Gregor goes through are similar to what Kafka went through in real life. They were both abused and neglected by their fathers when they were disappointed with them. Kafka uses Gregor transforming into a bug as a way of exaggerating himself, trying to express his feelings and point of view. When writing, Kafka felt as if he was trapped in his room which he referred to as "the noise headquarters of the apartment". Gregor was an exaggeration of this because he could not leave the house to escape the noises and abuse.
In the story, The Metamorphosis, Gregors transformation into a vermin can be connected to overall health in today’s society because Gregors “disorder” altered his “Complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being” (Kaiser Permanente).
Using symbols, Kafka illustrates the story which is not just about Gregor’s transformation but it is more than that. The entire Metamorphosis is an allegory about Gregor changing into a vermin, symbolize that he wanted to free himself from his family obligation. “As Gregor Samsa awoke from unsettling dreams one morning, he found himself transformed in his bed into a monstrous vermin” (Kafka 7). He thought his transformation was a dream but he soon realizes that it was reality. Gregor was the source of the income for his family and was employed in a job he did not like. “What a grueling profession I picked! Traveling day in, day out” (Kafka 7). This is ironic because Gregor was forced by his father to choose the alienated career. Mr. Samsa was indebted to his boss; working as a traveling salesman he would have pay off his father debt. Working as traveling salesman made Gregor alienated socially and mentally. The word transformation does not only app...