The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka

1965 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effects of peer pressure

How individuals think about their identity and how they respond to others is a person’s self-concept. Various factors in an individual’s life can have a negative or positive affect on their self-concept. Focusing on negative self-concept, we can see reoccurring variables in their social environment that can trigger depressive symptoms. Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, begins when Gregor has awakened from his disturbed dream as a dung beetle. Gregor, the main character and Kafka himself, experienced insecure behavior, alienation and depression in their relationships. For Gregor, these symptoms had a tremendous effect on his self-concept: it led to a depressive and desolate end. Kafka’s misery in his real life was reflected in the Gregor‘s transformation. The Metamorphosis exposes the outcome of negative self-concept from Gregor’s feelings from his relationships, alienation and loss of communication. This essay will be able to provide evidence by describing the relationships both in Gregor’s and Kafka’s life, how their relationships and form of attachment triggers alienation, and the loss in communication can create a self-concept as belittling as a dung beetle. People obtain many of their social characteristics and personal attributes from the relationships in their live. These traits stem from how individuals were treated and how they respond to security in the attachment from relationships. According to the article Mary Ainsworth by Saul McLeod, this is the skeletal blueprint for the attachment theory. In Kafka’s and Gregor’s the type of attachment represented is, avoidant insecure attachment. An avoidant-insecure attached individual is “independent of the attachment figure both physically and emotionally,” whether or not the in... ... middle of paper ... ...Advances in Psychiatric Treatment Journal of Continuing Professional Development 15.6 (2009): 459-461. The Royal College of Psychiatrists. Web. 10 November 2013. Farley, R. Chris. “A Brief Overview of Adult Attachment Theory and Research.” University of Illinois at Urbane Chapagne, University of Illinois at Urbane Chapagne. 2010. Web. 10 November 2013. Kafka, Franz. “The Metamorphosis.” New York: Dover Publication,1996. Print. Lee, Eunju, and Susan Stone. "Co-Occurring Internalizing And Externalizing Behavioral Problems: The Mediating Effect Of Negative Self-Concept." Journal Of Youth & Adolescence 41.6 (2012): 717-731. Academic Search Complete. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. Loveday, Veronica. "Franz Kafka." Franz Kafka (2005): 1-2. History Reference Center. Web. 15 November 2013. McLeod, Saul. “Mary Ainsworth.” Simply Psychology. Simply Psychology, 2008 Web. 13 November 2013

Show More
Related

  • When Harry Met Sally: Relationship Analysis

    1933 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hazan, C., Gur-Yaish, N., & Campa, M. (2003). What does it mean to be attached? In W. S. Rholes & J. A. Simpson (Eds.) Adult Attachment: Theory, Research, and Clinical Implications, (pp. 55 – 85). New York: Guilford.

    Read More

  • Franz Kafka's Metamorphisis

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gregor Samsa awakes one morning to discover that he has been transformed into a repugnant vermin. One may never know what initiated this makeover, but the simple truth is that Gregor is now a bug, and everyone must learn to live and move on in this strenuous situation. In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, the characters that interact with Gregor, including his mother, his father, and his sister Grete, must come to terms with his unfortunate metamorphosis, and each does so by reacting in a unique way. Gregor’s family members are constantly strained by this unusual event, and all three of them are pressed to their breaking point.

    Read More

  • Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    825 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is a theory that dream and myth are related which is conveyed through the writing of Douglas Angus’ Kafka's Metamorphosis and "The Beauty and the Beast" Tale and supported by Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis. The stories are very symbolic when conveying the metamorphosis of a human being. Unlike Beauty and the Beast, in the Metamorphosis some suggest love is received through acts of cruelty yet in actuality it appears that cruelty results in heartache. Due to being a beast, the repulsiveness requires genuine love which can achieve the “magical transformation.” This “magical transformation” is not achieved and creates a twist in the plot derived from the concepts in the “Beauty and the Beast.”

    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

  • Essay On Attachment Theory

    1794 Words  | 4 Pages

    Attachment has also proven useful in understanding the emotional experience of older adults (Magai, Consedine, Gillespie, O’Neal, & Vilker, 2004). For example, Magai & Passman (1997) discovered a strong relationship between secure attachments and emotional well-being of middle aged adults, which extends to individuals later in life. Understanding the role of attachment and its psychosocial impact during later life is an important area that needs further

    Read More

  • Adult Attachment Styles

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    Admittedly, many psychologists define attachment as an enduring, affectionate bond that one person forms between himself and another person throughout life. Mary Ainsworth provided the most famous research: strange situation, offering explanations of individual differences in attachment. However, in this Adult Attachment Style questionnaire that I took, I found many factors relevant to attachment as defined in the textbook. For example, in the textbook, it defines attachment based on Ainsworth research, the strange situation by observing attachment forms between mother and infants. They are described in four attachment styles: securely attached, insecure avoidant, insecure resistant, and insecure disorganized.

    Read More

  • The Metamorphosis by Kafka

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th Compact Ed. New York: Longman, 2013. 268-98. Print.

    Read More

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

    1283 Words  | 3 Pages

    Bernstein, Richard. “A VOYAGE THROUGH KAFKA'S AMBIGUITIES”. New York Times 02 May 1983. : n. pag. ProQuest Platinum.

    Read More

  • Psychological Transformation In Gregor's Metamorphosis, By Franz Kafka

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    Franz Kafka illustrates in his book the struggle that most humans have throughout their life: ‘Who am I?’ He demonstrates this through his radical and exaggerated formation of The Metamorphosis, a man becoming a bug; or a bug always thinking he was a man, then realizing that he is and always has been a bug. This bug, Gregor Samsa, goes through an immense psychological realization at the beginning of the book; he had been deceived by his own mind from the beginning of his life. Throughout Gregor’s Metamorphosis, Gregor experiences the loss of his self actualization, recognition, belonging, security, and physiological needs. His situation had taken away all the basic psychological needs of any human as illustrated by Maslow’s Hierarchy of

    Read More

  • The Dehumanizing Effect of Alienation and the Restoration of Self-Identity in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    Kafka, Franz. “The Metamorphosis.” The Metamorphosis and Other Stories. Trans. Michael Hofmann. Toronto: Penguin Books, 2007. 85-146. Print.

    Read More

  • Attachment Theory

    853 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cassidy, J., & Shaver, P.R. (1999). Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Read More

  • The Metamorphosis as a Depiction of Franz Kafka's Life

    1200 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Metamorphosis is said to be one of Franz Kafka's best works of literature. It shows the difficulties of living in a modern society and the struggle for acceptance of others when in a time of need. In this novel Kafka directly reflects upon many of the negative aspects of his personal life, both mentally and physically. The relationship between Gregor and his father is in many ways similar to Franz and his father Herrman. The Metamorphosis also shows resemblance to some of Kafka's diary entries that depict him imagining his own extinction by dozens of elaborated methods. This paper will look into the text to show how this is a story about the author's personal life portrayed through his dream-like fantasies.

    Read More

  • Kubler-Ross on Gregor Samsa and Meursault

    1598 Words  | 4 Pages

    New York: Vintage International, 1988. Print. Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Trans.

    Read More

  • Existentialism in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    1489 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Franz Kafka’s short story, Metamorphosis, the idea of existentialism is brought out in a subtle, yet definite way. Existentialism is defined as a belief in which an individual is ultimately in charge of placing meaning into their life, and that life alone is meaningless. They do not believe in any sort of ultimate power and focus much of their attention on concepts such as dread, boredom, freedom and nothingness. This philosophical literary movement emerged in the twentieth-century, when Kafka was establishing his writing style in regards to alienation and distorted anxiety. A mirror to his own personal lifestyle, this story follows the short and sad life of a man unable to break out of the bonds society has placed on him. These bonds are not only evident in the work place, but at home too. Being constantly used and abused while in his human form, Gregor’s lifestyle becomes complicated once he becomes a giant insect and is deemed useless. Conflicts and confusion arise primarily between Gregor and his sister Grete, his parents, and his work. Each of these three relationships has different moral and ethical complications defining them. However, it is important for one to keep in mind that Gregor’s metamorphosis has placed him into a position of opposition, and that he has minimal control over the events to take place. Conflicts will also occur between family members as they struggle with the decision of what to do with Gregor. In the end they all come to the agreement that maintaining his uselessness is slowly draining them and they must get rid of him.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Core Concepts In Narrative Therapy And Emotionly Focused Therapy

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    Acknowledging, the importance of attachment has been in helpful development of couples therapy, in particular to Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), “where it helps explain how even healthy adults need to depend on each other,” (Nichols, 2013, p. 62). EFT is an empirically validated experiential therapy model that works with emotion to create change. EFT therapists use “attachment theory to deconstruct the familiar dynamic in which one partner criticizes and complains while the other gets defensive and withdraws,” (Nichols, 2013, p.63). Research has demonstrated the importance of attachment in individuals. It is not solely a childhood trait attachment is a trait that individuals carry for the rest of their lives. Nonetheless, it is important to work on the attachments with families and couples in order to alleviate some of the negative interactions that arise from feeling a fear of losing the attachment with

    Read More

More about The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka

Open Document