Death Of A Salesman And Franz Kafka 's Metamorphosis

He worries about not showing up to his job on time or losing it entirely because he knows that his family depends on it. Ultimately, Gregor is concerned about how his inability to continue as the provider will affect his family. He believes his role as provider is a responsibility that he must carry out in sickness and in health. Indeed, family provides a part of a person’s sense of self, but it is the decision of each individual of how much of an influence family is. In Gregor’s case, it was an overwhelming influence because he was more concerned about what would happen to his family instead of what would happen to him physically and emotionally as a consequence of his transformation into a bug. This overwhelming influence is psychologically unhealthy because it can cause Gregor and other individuals to be so focused on their family’s needs that they forget about their own needs. Likewise, the other extreme is also unhealthy – leaving one’s family on their own with no concern about what could happen to them. It would be more psychologically healthy for a middle ground where individuals are concerned about their family’s well being and attempt to help them only when their family is in the most need. Otherwise, individuals should only wish them well and work on tending to their own needs to be emotionally and physically healthy.

A metamorphosis can be described as a change in structure, form, or appearance, or as a change in form from one stage to the next in an organism’s life. In Franz Kafka’s novella, “The Metamorphosis”, change is a major theme. The theme of change is significant as the main character, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, undergoes a metamorphosis of his own as he experiences changes living as a giant insect. However, Gregor’s journey through his new life is not subjective, as his transformation provokes significant changes in his family’s dynamics. In fact, Gregor’s transformation into an insect is not the main focus of the novella. Kafka uses Gregor’s metamorphosis as a way to emphasize the more significant metamorphosis within the Samsa

His fate, it seems, is to provide for his family and there are several instances in which he laments his inability to provide for his mother, father, and dear sister. The narrator states, revealing one of these themes in “The Metamorphosis”, “Gregor’s sole desire was to do his utmost to help the family to forget as soon as possible the catastrophe which had overwhelmed the business and thrown them all into a state of complete despair” (95) and this sense of blind duty compels him to work a meaningless, menial job that has both figuratively and literally turned him into a filthy, scuttling, and helpless insect. While this is true on a more basic level, the root of Gregor’s problem stems from a deep-seated feeling of guilt, an emotion that eventually leads to his demise. By the end of the story, Gregor has completely lost his purpose and for a man that once existed simply as a utilitarian creature (again, like an insect since he lives only to fulfill his duty to the group). At one point, his feelings of uselessness are described as, ““Gregor was now cut off from his mother, who was perhaps nearly dying because of him; he dared not open the door for fear of frightening his sister, who had to stay with her mother, there was nothing he could do but wait; and harassed by self-reproach and worry he began to crawl to and fro” (109) and it is clear that the guilt of being useless is mounting and leading to his resignation in the face of

Gregor Samsa may be considered a dynamic protagonist whose mental stability has become irrational due to prolonged stresses caused by his family and occupation as a travelling salesman. Gregor’s psychological unease begins when he wakes up one morning to find himself drastically changed into vermin. According to an article, there is sufficient evidence to support the claim that chronic stress can increase the probability for acquiring probable psychological disorders (Gregoire). This is relevant to present stress issues. Both concepts of work and family are significant indicators and factors in present stress concerns. Like-minded, an article published by the University of California, Berkley, suggests that chronic stress may alter the brain, which potentially explains the lack of psychological permanency and mood conditions in people in later stages of life (Sanders). Gregor experiences stress from work, as illustrated in the novella, by consistently travelling, keeping track of train schedules, and seeming fed-up with his occupation by expressing frustration (Kafka). In addition, he has the sole responsibility to provide his family with significant income, and his sister, Grete, is referenced as being materialistic (Kafka). It is possible that chronic stress became too large of a burden for Gregor, and this may have led to his psychotic symptoms. In an article by

Gregor’s loathe for his work helps develop his isolation from the rest of the world, alienating him from his own body, into that of an insect. It becomes evident that Gregor hates his job, and especially his boss, when he first wakes up in the morning. Gregor thinks to himself, “If it wasn’t that I’ve held back on account of my parents, I’d have given in my notice long ago. I’d have gone to the boss and told him what I thought outright, with feeling. It would make him fall off his desk” (30, Kafka). Gregor is sick and tired of working for his boss at the job

Making the ultimate sacrifice for sin, “[Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death” (New International Version, Philippians 2.7-8). In a scenario closely related to Jesus’s legacy, Gregor Samsa awakes to discover that he too has transformed into an inferior form, a beetle-like creature. While he maintains certain aspects of his humanity, such as his compassion and empathy for loved ones, he is considered nothing more than a repulsive bug. The flaws in Gregor’s family quickly become evident through their negative reactions to the transformation. Gregor quickly discerns that he has become a burden,

Gregor was a normal guy, has he was very nice and respectable, his family loved him and depended on him. That all changed will Gregor became a bug, Gregor mentally changed, he started liking dark, cramped spaces, he also liked laying on the wall and ceiling instead of his bed.

“The Metamorphosis” is a surreal story by Franz Kafka surrounding the transformation and betrayal of Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one day, reborn into a large insect. Along with the bizarre and nightmarish appearance of his new hard back, brown segmented belly, and many legs, Gregor only desire is to live a normal life, unfortunately, this is impossible because he struggles to even get out of bed. Gregor transformation into an insect is a vivid metaphor for the alienation of humans from around the world. After losing human form, Gregor is automatically deprived of the right to be a part of society. Franz Kafka could relate to Gregor because he too was mistreated/neglected by his father and worked a job that he was unhappy doing. Franz and Gregor both were providers for their families. Alienation, isolation, and loneliness were not hard to recognize during the Modernity and Modernism time period.

Franz Kafka’s twentieth-century classic, The Metamorphosis, shows the changes of the Samsa family after their son, Gregor, turns into a vile insect. Even though Gregor has turned into the most disgusting of creatures, this “metamorphosis” is ironic compared to the transformation that his family endures. While Gregor still sustains his humanity, the lack of any compassion and mercy from his family, is what makes them the disgusting creatures rather than Gregor. The changes of Gregor’s father, mother, and sister prove that the theme of metamorphosis is not exclusively present within Gregor.

In the beginning of the story, Gregor wishes to be free off his job and family obligations. When Gregor is turned into a bug majority of his problems are eliminated. At first, when Gregor wakes up to see that he is a bug immediately he thinks about his duties as a provider and how he will be able to work in his current state. He says, “ That's all i'd have to try with my boss; I'd be fired on the spot. Anyway, who knows if that wouldn't be a very good thing for me. If I don't hold back for my parents sake, I would have quit long ago.” (Kafka 1,5). When he says “That” Gregor speaks of waking up late like other travel salesman. He wishes he could just walk away from the job if it

The Metamorphosis is a novella written by German author Franz Kafka which was first published in 1915. The novella tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who one day awoke to discover he had transformed into an insect like monstrosity. Throughout the story, Gregor struggles with the horrible prospect of coming to terms with his situation, as well as coping with the effects of his transformation, such as the fact that his family is repelled by his new form, and that he is no longer able to provide financially for them. Through Gregor’s reaction to the effects of his transformation on his life, Kafka critiques the situation of the common man in a modern world.

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis (1914) is about the transformation of Gregor Samsa into a giant insect. His life has been miserable due to the fact that he works to meet the standard necessities of the family after his father has lost his business. Kafka implies that Gregor’s transformation is simply a manifestation of what he was already experiencing. It is a punishment for Gregor not having attempted to engage with others. Kafka’s main theme is alienation and he explores it passionately through Gregor’s introverted life before his transformation, the metamorphosis of the family’s treatment towards Gregor after he turned into an insect, and Gregor’s behaviour after his drastic change.

Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, is the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who is responsible for the financial well-being of his entire family, yet experiences an unfortunate metamorphosis into a giant bug. However, while Gregor undergoes a disturbing physical transformation, the family dynamic changes drastically as well. The family’s treatment of Gregor slowly deteriorates from them regarding him as the basis for their financial success and security to regarding him as no more than an extraordinary nuisance that holds them back from a brighter future.

Gregor falls into severe depression after his metamorphosis. Before Gregor’s transformation, he lived a routine life. He would wake up early, go to work, and come back late only to start the process all over again the next morning. As well as being extremely draining, this lifestyle held no benefits for Gregor, as his work was centered around sustaining

‘Gregor? Are you alright? Do you need anything?’‘Gregor, open the door, I beg you.’ Gregor had no intention of opening the door, but congratulated himself on his precaution, acquired from traveling, of locking all doors during the night, even at home.’”(page 7) Gregor not opening the door and answering his family face to face because he didn’t want to worry them, shows the reader the lack of communication the family has with one another. This also represents how isolated Gregor is with society because his main purpose is to be a good son and make money for his family. With this expectation, he goes to work every day and has no time to make friends. Therefore, Gregor fantasizes quitting his job once he is done paying off his father's debt.“If I didn’t hold back for my parents’ sake, I would’ve quit ages ago. I would’ve gone to the boss and told him just what I think from the bottom of my heart. He would’ve fallen right off his desk! How weird it is to sit up at the desk and talk down to the employee from way up there.’‘Once I’ve got together the money to pay off the parents’ debt to him—that should take another five or six years—I’ll do it for sure. Then I’ll make the big break.’” (page 5)