Analysis Of The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

In the article, written by Walter H. Sokel, he goes into depth about how Franz Kafka’s life is reflected in the book The Metamorphosis and his other writings. Sokel ties together multiple aspects of the novel and their importance to Gregor and his family dynamic as a whole. Many of the points made in the article address the absurdity of the situation the novel presents and the underlying meaning in the actions of the characters. The premise of the article is pointing to the facts that Gregor's predicament is Kafka inserting his own life frustrations into his literary works. In each passage of the article another part of Gregor's life is laid bare. Sokel’s many inferences that the fault is in Gregor's own doing and not his situation in life, create a complex maze of cause and effect.

Grete undergoes a change in perspective to such a degree that by the end of the novella it is she who declares, “we must get rid of it” (84). This change in perspective shows how Kafka believes that members of society often stop sympathizing with the isolated group when it becomes inconvenient for them to continue doing so. Gregor’s mother reacts in an initial manner somewhere between the father and sister since when first seeing him she “went two steps toward Gregor and collapsed right in the middle of her skirts” (23). These conflicting desires continue through the novella, such as when Mr. Samsa tries to kill Gregor, “she begged him to spare Gregor’s life” (65) but at the same time she is repulsed by him. This illustrates how she wants to help him and tries to think of him the same way she did before his transformation, yet is unable to. This resembles the idealists in society who theoretically support the alienated person but often succumb to social pressures when they are forced to face the problem. These three reactions to Gregor’s transformation as a result of the initiation of his isolation by the manager demonstrate the spectrum of reactions. From the immediate acceptance of the hierarchy represented by Mr. Samsa, to the true compassion of Grete and the idealism of Mrs. Samsa, Kafka shows how a wide variety of reactions is expected from society, and how people often change their opinions.

Kafka’s Metamorphosis suggests to his readers to take a glimpse inside a dysfunctional atmosphere triggered from a painful childhood, to see how influential each member of the family contributes to the dynamics, but also to learn how to make light of the situation with acceptance. Kafka is reflecting on his own relationship with his family in Metamorphosis. He sees himself in Gregor, or is he him.

The Metamorphosis is a novel written in 1912 by Franz Kafka. It takes place in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. This novel involves a man named Gregor who lives with his sister and parents. Gregor is the only one that has a job; therefore he is the only one that has a steady income. He provides everything for his family, and they take him for granted. One morning Gregor wakes up from his slumber to realize he has turned into a gigantic bug. Once his family discovers he is a revolting vermin they seem to disown him except for his sister Grete. By the end of the novel Grete’s perspective toward Gregor changes and she decides it is time to get rid of him. At the end Gregor dies, but his family does not mourn his death; if anything they rejoice that he is gone. Throughout the novel Kafka slips in Biblical allusion here and there such as the apple that is lodged into Gregor’s back, also the comparisons made between Grete and Judas, and Gregor’s sacrifice and the betrayal of his family. All these allusions help develop a deeper meaning and construct Gregor into a Christ like being.

Franz Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis, is a novella about Gregor Samsa, a man who devotes everything to fulfilling the needs of his family. Kafka’s existentialist perspective on the meaning of life is illustrated through the use of the protagonist of Gregor Samsa. Existentialism is a philosophy concerned with finding self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility (Existentialism). Gregor is unable to fulfill the existentialist view of finding meaning in one’s life; he acted according to what his family wanted. Kafka’s belief that there is no meaning to life and that the individual has to create his own meaning in life is entirely missed by Gregor. Kafka uses the juxtaposing mindsets of Gregor and his family

Franz Kafka’s clear isolation of Gregor underlines the families’ separation from society. In The Metamorphosis, Kafka emphasizes Gregor’s seclusion from his family. However, Gregor’s separation is involuntary unlike the family who isolates themselves by the choices they make. Each family member has characteristics separating them from society. These characteristics become more unraveling than Gregor, displaying the true isolation contained in The Metamorphosis.

In his novella, “The Metamorphosis”, Franz Kafka suggests that through the shifting roles of dependence and sympathy, there is a dynamic attitude reflected towards an individual. Although Gregor's family first deals with the metamorphosis with concern and sympathy, by the end of the story, they become much happier after his death. Through feeling responsible for the family’s wellbeing as its only source of income, Gregor before had “great pride in the fact that he had been able to provide such a life for his parents and sister in such a fine flat” (p.70). Immediately after his change, the dependent Gregor gains sympathy from his family as they attempt to be responsible for him. They cling to the idea that although physically changed, Gregor’s humanity remains intact, and he will eventually return back to his old self.

Kafka establishes music as an important element of the dynamic between Gregor and his sister. Prior to Gregor’s metamorphosis, the two siblings share a very tight bond as evident by his desire to keep working with the “firm intention” of sending her to the Conservatory to practice the violin (46). He is willing to work through his horrible job for the sake of his sister’s future in music. The feelings he has for Grete are mutual as she “beg[ins] to sob” after becoming increasingly worried about Gregor during the morning of his transformation (10). This close knit relationship continues to persevere to a much lesser extent in the form of Grete taking care of her brother’s needs after he becomes a vermin. While she expresses clear disgust towards his new form, such as becoming “frightened” at the mere sight of his appearance, she still provides him with food and cleans his room (22). This shows that any interaction between the two siblings from then on is purely out of obligation. This minimal rapport grows even worse when Grete starts to neglect taking care of her brother such as “deciding to leave” the dust and dirt in the room as is without cleaning it up; she “no longer consider[s]” what she could do to make Gregor feel more comfortable, but instead grows “fed up” with taking care of the hideous insect that had once been her brother

The Metamorphosis is a novella written by Franz Kafka and was first published in 1915. Growing up Kafka was always pressured with taking over his family's business and caused his father to resent him and his work as well as physically abuse him.The Metamorphosis is an illusion to his own life while going through mental, physical and emotional abuse.

Although Kafka tells a fictional story, he could represent Gregor. Both of them worked hard and both had a father who was unyielding. In the Metamorphosis, Kafka suggests a life can change over night and how society can exclude others. Kafka had this issue as well, when he was younger, because of his nationality. The fact that he had three different nationalities (Austrian, Czech and German) led to the jealousy and anger of others.

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,

Both Kafka and Gregor lack strong family relationship as well as friends. Kafka’s life was filled with anxiety and guilt so he was unable to make strong connections with anyone. In one year, Kafka broke off three engagements and died soon after (www.glencoe.com). Kafka also isolated himself as part of his writing process which he even believed negatively impacted his life. While Kafka's impressment was self-imposed and Gregor's was forced upon him, isolation clearly influenced Kafka’s writing and his development of The Metamorphosis (Antony 215). One of the main aspects in The Metamorphosis is the alienation Gregore feels after his transformation. Gregor’s metamorphosis completely dehumanizes him leading to feelings of alienation and ultimately his death. This is viewed as the greatest consequence of Gregor's transformation. While Gregor was a bug, he had no interactions with the only people in his life, his family. During the short time Grete would be in his room, Gregor would hide under the couch. Even if Gregor wanted to communicate with his family he could not because as a bug Gregor could not speak. However, Gregor was isolated from his family before his transformation into a bug. His job as a traveling salesman didn't allow him to make strong family connections, Gregor realizes this only after he reflects upon his life, while being bug (Kafka). A solitary lifestyle plays an important factor in the life and unfortunately the demise of both Kafka and

“Tragedy shaped the Kafka home. Franz 's two younger brothers, Georg and Heinrich, died in infancy by the time Kafka was 6, leaving the boy the only son in a family...Kafka had a difficult relationship with both of his parents. His mother, Julie, was a devoted homemaker who lacked the intellectual depth to understand her son 's dreams to become a writer. Kafka 's father, Hermann, had a forceful personality that often overwhelmed the Kafka home” (“Franz Kafka”).

the very social structure that is ruining his life. Gregor's family is abusive, yet he constantly forgives them. He is truly altruistic–he works like an animal in order to maintain his family's material comfort. His only dream is to send his beloved sister to the music Conservatory. Gregor is constantly hungry, but "not for these things" (Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis, hereafter known as KM). He longs "for nourishment other than food, for an emotional sustenance derived from an active involvement with his family" (Sweeney 152). Simultaneously, he rebels against

Franz Kafka is an icon of dark existentialist and absurdist literature that frequently wrote about themes of isolation, alienation, and authoritarian oppression. His well-known work includes the short stories "The Metamorphosis", and “ The Judgment.” as well as his prominent "Letter to His Father", in which he attempted to clarify the tense relationship and his emotional oddness. Franz Kafka was born in Prague on July 3rd, 1883. Prague was a perplexed city, a great deal like Kafka himself. With several languages and ethnic groups struggling for a position in Prague, it was apparent in the late 19th