Unveiling the Metamorphosis: Gregor Samsa's Insectile Existence

1497 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The metamorphosis and mental health

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 …show more content…

Thirdly, he suffers isolation from the physical world, which he is no longer able to participate in due to his presence and lack of mobility. Lastly, he suffers isolation from other people around him, especially his family. By the end even his sister, Grete, the most compassionate member of the family, explanations that they should stop thoughtful of the creature as the person they knew. She says that “the fact that we’ve believed it so long is the root of our trouble” (Kafka 48), which can be taken to mean that at some point Gregor stopped being a person not only because of his entrance but since of his non-conformist actions. The beating he receives from his father shows the extent of the cruelty he endures, though his father knows that “family duty compulsory the conquest of disgust and the use of endurance, nothing but patience” (Kafka 36). The tragedy is that this alienation ends up killing Gregor, who “dies not as a vermin, but as a human being thinking of his family”. The transformation is an indication of the breakdown of Gregor’s psyche and alienation within his self. The reader is not told how the transformation

Show More
Related

  • Character Analysis Of Gregor In Kovalyov's The Metamorphosis

    312 Words  | 1 Pages

    Although Gregor and Kovalyov change physically they do no change internally, as their later actions still continue to depict Gregor’s fixation with materialistic goods and Kovalyov’s concern with physical assets. With the physical transformations of both protagonist, the reader expects internal change but it does not happen in The Nose or in The Metamorphosis. Gregor’s physical transformation presents an opportunity for him to also change internally as he can instead focus on his family’s poor treatment since he is not occupied with work. However, Gregor’s preoccupation with money is still present even after he transforms and it continues to cause him misery. Whenever he would listen to his family converse over an issue of money, he would “let

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Betrayal In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is the story of Gregor Samsa, his turning into a bug, and his ultimate death. In the beginning of the novel Gregor wakes up as a bug and struggles to become used to his new body. Gregor is locked in his room and late for work; he is the only one who works in his family, so it is important that he shows up and earns money to pay off his parents debts. His office manager shows up wondering where he has been and everyone is shocked to see Gregor’s transformation when he finally makes his way out of his room. Upon seeing him, his father shoves him forcefully back into the room, scraping Gregor’s back. Grete, Gregor’s sister, is his primary caretaker throughout the book and she makes certain he is receiving the food he wants and is the only one to clean his room for him. Gregor’s mother and father do not pay much attention to him at all throughout the book. The mother occasionally checks on him, but can barely stand the sight of him. Eventually, Grete starts working and stops taking care of him too, leaving Gregor all by himself. Betrayal is evident in The Metamorphosis and contributes to

    Read More

  • Essay on Gregor as Christ in Kafka's Metamorphosis

    1540 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...trayed by his family, he is imprisoned in his room; however, he "thought back on his family with deep emotion and love".  His affection for his family results in his conviction that he must disappear, so that he can bring them happiness and peace.  Gregor sacrifices his life and dies during the night to save his family from hardship.  He loves them unconditionally, like Jesus loves his people, and does not criticise them for betraying and mistreating him. Gregor's final sacrifice of his life is the strongest comparison of his Christ-like attributes.

    Read More

  • Betrayal In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    First and foremost Gregor was betrayed by his own parents who failed to care for him after his transformation. The initial reaction of the parents, especially his father, set the tone for the whole novel. Instead of trying to resolve the issue with a reasonable solution, his father physically abuses him, “when from behind, his father gave him a hard

    Read More

  • The Symbolism and Transformation of Gregor’s Bug Body in The Metamorphosis

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    From the beginning of The Metamorphosis Kafka offers a comical depiction of Gregor’s “squirming legs” (Kafka 13) and a body in which “he could not control” (7). Gregor’s initial reaction to this situation was the fact he was late to his dissatisfying job as a salesman, but Gregor knows that he has to continue his job in order to keep the expectation his family holds upon him to pay of the family’s everlasting debt. When Gregor’s family eventually realizes that Gregor is still lying in his bed, they are confused because they have expectations on Gregor that he will hold the family together by working. They know if Gregor was to quit his job there would be a great catastrophe since he is the glue to keeping their family out of debt. The communication between his family is quickly identified as meager and by talking to each other from the adjacent walls shows their disconnection with each other. Kafka introduces the family as lacking social skills in order to offer the reader to criticize and sympathize for Gregor’s family dynamics. Gregor’s manager makes an appearance quickly after experiencing the dysfunction within the fami...

    Read More

  • The Character Of Gregor In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    272 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the novella, The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, the protagonist, Gregor, goes through a change from human to vermin, which affects his situations and makes them more surreal but relatable. Gregor’s problems, challenges, and obstacles he faces become more nightmarish, because he is a grotesque creature; however, Gregor’s feelings, instincts, and decisions are still relatable to a human being. When Gregor notices he has become an insect “he lies on his armour-like back,” he does not contemplate the change in his physical appearance. Instead, Gregor has the intention of catching the train and making it to work on time like a normal human being. However, for Gregor his armour-like back and domed-belly make his situation more Kafkaesque, because

    Read More

  • The Metamorphosis Literary Analysis

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka both incorporate “irreal” elements throughout their works. These elements provide an alternative point of view where the lives of main characters are recreated and imagined as part of their surroundings. It’s almost as if the characters are watching their lives from an outside vantage point, rather than living in the moment, which makes it easier to cope with their difficult circumstances. These two works are complementary in establishing relationships, exposing internal conflicts, and escaping the reality that these characters yearn for in their lives.

    Read More

  • Gregor Samsa's Isolation in The Metamorphisis by Franz Kafka

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    Franz Kafka uses his short story, “The Metamorphosis”, to portray the isolation associated with alienation from society, displayed by his character Gregor Samsa. The effects of isolation and alienation are utilized to demonstrate the necessity of interaction and social inclusion for all individuals. Alienation is the process in which someone becomes foreign to the world that they are living in. The relevance of alienation in society is represented through several pieces of modern literature such as the painting “Alienation Nightmare” by Sabu, the song “One” by Three Dog Night, and the film X-Men: The Last Stand. Gregor was alienated from his job and his family, shown through his lack of concern after his metamorphosis into a bug. “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect”. Gregor awakes in his room with the same feeling that he goes to sleep with every night, the desire to be accepted by his family and society. Following the completion of his transformation, Gregor feels completely estranged living in his ro...

    Read More

  • Metamorphosis of Gregor in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    530 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Metamorphosis of Gregor Metamorphosis - a change in form, structure, or appearance. The snare of the snare. Change is a major theme throughout Franz Kafka's novella. The Metamorphosis of the. There is a significant relationship between the title and the title.

    Read More

  • The Metamorphosis by Kafka

    1497 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Gregor and Grete’s Transformation in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    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?

    Read More

  • Comparing Franz Kafka and Gregor Samsa in The Metamorphosis

    1562 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is unusual to say the least to open a book and the first line is about the main character waking up as a large insect. Most authors’ use symbolism to relate the theme of their work, not Franz Kafka. He uses a writing method that voids all aspects and elements of the story that defy interpretation. In doing this, he leaves a simple story that stands only for an objective view for his own thoughts and dreams. Kafka focuses the readers’ attention on a single character that symbolizes himself and his life, not Everyman as some authors do. This method is displayed in most of his literary works. To understand how this method is recognized, readers must study the author’s background during the period of writing and basic history to understand this author’s motive. In his short story, “The Metamorphosis”, there are multiple similarities between Kafka’s true life and Gregor Samsa’s.

    Read More

  • Gregor Samsa's Metamorphosis in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka

    1283 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Dehumanization In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

    1143 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, Gregor Samsa is dehumanized after and prior to turning into a giant insect. Before his transformation, Gregor had a lonely and tiring life of being a commercial traveler, paying off his parents debt. He always worried about the train connections in his constant traveling, and was not able to become intimate friends with his casual acquaintances. Before his transformation, Gregor feels dehumanized because of the constant pressure from his boss and family to do his job.

    Read More

  • The Concept of Metamorphosis in Life and Literature

    508 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

More about Unveiling the Metamorphosis: Gregor Samsa's Insectile Existence

Open Document