The Parasite and the Host

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Parasitical relationships are commonplace in nature. A parasite attaches itself to a host and gradually benefits while the host's assets are drained. When the initial host's assets are completely depleted, the parasite moves on to another to leech off of while the host is left to gradually lose its life. This type of parasitical relationship is highlighted in Franz Kafka's short story, The Metamorphosis, in the relationships of members of the Samsa family. Gregor Samsa is a traveling salesman, whose family is completely dependent on his salary. The short story begins, "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" (Kafka 1). This alteration symbolizes Gregor's change from his family's primary caregiver to an unnecessary nuisance, which is a position that will ultimately lead to his death. In beginning of the short story we awake with Gregor right after his conversion, Kafka is pointing out the disintegration of this once highly regarded son and his position in his family. In this case, the family takes on the role of the parasite and Gregor of the host. Throughout the short story, the parasite saps away the assets of Gregor, leaving little for him to do but ultimately die.

The Samsa family consists of a mother, a father, a brother and a sister. Gregor Samsa was a loving son and brother. He contributed most of his time and money making sure that his family was well taken care of, essentially taking over his father`s position in the family. He gave his family the ability to enjoy the services of a live-in maid as well as a live-in cook. Gregor's parents did not work, as his mother was asthmatic, his father took Gregor's success and translated i...

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...is parasitical family, taking nothing in return but a sentence of death. Yet, he never complained. He never once had the want inside to take back what he gave. Gregor is an example of a lesson in life: Never be a host while being surrounded by those who are parasites.

Works Cited

Gardner, Janet E. Literature: A Portable Anthology. Boston, MA: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2004.

Altshuler, Roman. "Major Themes." ClassicNotes: Metamorphosis. 5 Aug. 2000. Grade Saver. 9 Jan. 2005

http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/sources/metamorphosis.html.

English 1B. Dept. home page. 29 Jan. 1997. New York University. 9 Jan. 2005

http://mchip00.med.nyu.edu/lit-med/lit-med- db/webdocs/webdescrips/kafka98-des-.html.

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