Syntax In The Metamorphosis

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

even refer to him as a person anymore. They distance themselves from Gregor by not even calling him a person and not only rejecting him from their family but from society as well by rejecting him as a human.

Also, the short sentence structure shows their curtness and distaste for Gregor when he is the subject of the conversation. Additionally, dialogue helps show the reader that change causes rejection. Grete’s dialogue towards Gregor changes throughout his metamorphosis. Eventually in the book Gete “In front of this monstrous creature, refuses to pronounce [her] brother’s name…” (Kafka 47). She used to have a very good relationship with her brother, Gregor, but now her dialogue indicates otherwise. She can not even bare to say his name, showing that she is rejecting him as a friend and brother. His change also leads to Grete calling him a monstrous creature which is a rejection of his physical self. The Caretaker is in a similar situation as she used to talk to Gregor by name and after he changed she rejected him and did the same as Grete. Moreover, symbolism is used with the apple to emphasize the point that Gregor has become rejected by his family. It is mentioned that “no one dared to remove the apple, it remained in his flesh as a visible reminder.” (Kafka 38). No one was willing to even touch or help him overcome an injury they

caused. Their distaste of him and rejecting him from the family symbolizes the Garden of Eden, and how adam and Eve were similarly rejected for eating the forbidden apple. Therefore, after five long years of providing for his family, Gregor woke up as a bug. While some of his family tried to help him out initially, they all end up rejecting him because his change is too much to handle. The text is a metaphor for life and it presents a story of reducing a person of the lowest form of life. This theme that change causes rejection is presented by Kafka through the careful use of dialogue, syntax, and symbolism.