Symbolism In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

In the book, Metamorphosis, Frank Kafka tells the story of a dysfunctional family that becomes even more dysfunctional when their son, Gregor, transforms into a cockroach. Before and after his transformation, Gregor has a variety of identity and self-esteem issues. Through his transformation, many of these issues are maximized. He begins to not know who he is anymore, and he is disgusted by the fact that he has turned into a hideous creature, both figuratively and literally. This is demonstrated when he has woken up after turning into a cockroach with an itch. After he tries to scratch his itch, he notices one of his many insect legs and is revolted by the truth. The immensity of his disgust is portrayed in his reaction to his transformation into a bug. He does not react how most people would if they woke up one morning to find that they have been turned into what most would consider the world’s most repulsive insect. Instead of waking up in a panic, he simply reflects on his life as a human and how monotonous it was. In this reflection, it becomes clear that his family is codependent on him. Codependency is a major concern, and it should be addressed.

When individuals are rejected by family and society, they tend to feel abandoned and unloved. In Franz Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s transformation into a “monstrous vermin” (Kafka 1) results in him being psychologically and even physically abused by his family. Rejection from his mother, sister, and father leave Gregor feeling unwanted and feeling as if he is a terrible burden on the family and their well being.

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is a metaphor laden, symbolism heavy social commentary with a vast amount of interpretations. At its core, the short story is a study of a traveling salesman who has lost touch with the world, but it includes many universal themes and events suffered today in capitalistic societies. As Gregor Samsa transforms into his bug-like form, he becomes utterly useless. His sole purpose in the Samsa family is to generate income and once he fails to do so he is isolated and forgotten. While Gregor’s family symbolizes the superfluous nature of human beings, they also represent society as a whole and the unforgiving nature of economics. Kafka uses this strife as the basis for a seemingly personal tale as a man-turned-bug who must live with that fact.

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.

One of the most prominent themes present in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is isolation. Gregor, transformed into a vermin, becomes extremely isolated by both his family and society. Gregor’s family, job, and apartment contribute to this sense of isolation significantly, both in a literal and figurative sense. The sense of isolation that Gregor feels as a result of his metamorphosis, however, is not unique; in fact, isolation is common in every aspect of society as a whole. Gregor’s transformation, therefore, is an allegory for the inherently isolating and alienating nature of the human condition.

Throughout a person’s life, multiple changes occur that can be viewed as either good or bad depending on the circumstance. Change is an unavoidable happening that shapes someone’s identity and their perception on life, and the ability to accept the changes that occur in a lifetime is what keeps living things prospering. If change can not be received favorably, then it will ultimately be the conclusion for those that can’t adapt. The inability of acceptance of change by both himself and others around him is shown in the novella The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. In the novella, Gregor has had the unfortunate alteration of being changed into a bug and he is no longer able to provide for his family. Not only does Gregor feel unable to adapt to this new change, but his family completely avoids him and sees him as a new burden for them as he is no longer worth anything in their eyes. Often when someone is faced with a large negative change to their life others may exile them in order to avoid facing their change. The theme of exile is shown through The Metamorphosis with symbols such as the apple, his father’s uniform, and the door.

In Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”, the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, in desperate need of appreciation, took the responsibility and obligation of maintaining his unappreciative family member’s every day life. While traumatic instances occur, the limits of the family’s loyalty and sympathy for Gregor’s needs are rejected by the ones he cherishes the most. Obviously, one can notice the unconditional love Gregor shows his family, but the profound transformation he physically endures leaves him now as his family’s burden (SparkNotes Editors). Although many instances occur throughout Gregor’s transformation that shows new profound realization of his unsympathetic family, one can analyze the many

In the story, The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, a young man named Gregor unexpectedly turns into a human sized cockroach. Consequently, this causes a drastic shift in Gregor and his family’s lives, for Gregor was the only person who was able to support his family with their demands. As time passes by, his family’s responses towards Gregor’s sudden transformation alters, giving insight into their characters throughout the story. These insights also correspond with many of their interactions with one another and with the minor characters. Moreover, Gregor’s family’s responses all correlate to Gregor’s transformation throughout the story, as this change not only affects himself, but his parents and his sister as well, in their everyday

Franz Kafka is known for his fusion of realism and fantasy elements in his stories, often featuring characters in isolated scenarios where the characters have unexplained attributes or powers. In the Kafka novella, The Metamorphosis features a protagonist that become isolated from his family. Gregor, the main character, wakes up as a bug mysteriously. The transformation leads to Gregor and his family adjusting to his metamorphosis. Furthermore, strangely, the novella is about Gregor’s family changes and development throughout novella and about him as a character.

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is about a young adult, named Gregor, who has to take care of his family with a job he despises, due to his father’s misfortune, his dad once owned a business, but unfortunately his business failed and led his family into debt. One random morning, Gregor doesn’t wake up as his normal self. He instead wakes up as a roach. However, this story goes beyond about a young adult turning into a bug. There’s a ton of hidden messages inside the plot, and multiple signs of symbolism.

Kafka’s use of the uncanny through Gregor’s loss of identity opens up a variety of doors to question, analyze and discuss the morals of the family and the views of society as a

Gregor’s metamorphosis into an enormous insect and the thoughts, the replications and feelings this deep change causes in him on the first day. Gregor’s thoughts are short and presented very carefully; while there is a monologue which is indirectly delivered by Gregor’s character. The events in this novel can also be found in modern families today. The protagonist (Gregor) is the one who sacrifices himself working to pay his father’s debts, instead of living his life. He really worked hard, and he wasn’t being recognized by his family for all the efforts he did for them. As soon as Gregor’s mother saw him, she was shocked with amazement, she even fainted with surprise. His father’s response foreshadows the violence that he visits upon his son. In other words, his father’s response showed anger and seeds of hatred that exist in the relationship. His family was taking him for granted, and his only duty was too support his family; but they never consider his needs, even he has a life. After the transformation, the family

In Franz Kafka’s novella “The Metamorphosis”, one can see the protagonist undergo a transformation that forces the others around him to change. The main theme Kafka showcases in the book is transformation of individuals. Through the metamorphosis of Gregor Samsa, Franz Kafka suggests that the changes one experiences can impact other people and even influence change in others. To begin, one needs to look at Gregor’s change. Arguably, Gregor’s physical transformation into a vermin fulfills his metaphorical bug-like state of mind.

In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, readers are thrown into a fictional setting in which the main character; Gregor Samsa, transforms into a cockroach. As a response to Gregor’s metamorphosis, his mother and his sister patiently attempt to take care of him and make him as comfortable as they can. However, Gregor’s father’s love is challenged by Gregor’s drastic change in appearance and becomes less patient, acting in complete hatred towards his son. The Metamorphosis is both a cruel and tragic story because of the multiple scenes that portrayed a failing relationship between Gregor and his family. In the following essay, I will explain three scenes in particular that proves why I believe this story is tragic.

Kafka was critical in bringing the new outlook on modern culture and particularly on modern man. Franz Kafka studied the modern man in the face of contemporary culture, and how he was steadfast in retaining his spirituality and identity, and gravitate towards authenticity and happiness. However, Kafka saw how the dehumanizing forces of industrialization and capitalism in the post- the WWI Europe posed a challenge to the modern man. Modern culture can be viewed tolerating and open to all. To Franz Kafka, modern culture coupled with technology is fast changing, and man has to maintain his self-consciousness in order not lose his spirituality and identity amidst these changes (Wintle pp. 708-710). Hence, as modern culture changes with the changing technology, religions are poised to change too, which presents fears to a man about losing his spirituality and identity upon embracing the modern culture. Interestingly, Kafka was mystical in his writings, with a keen interest in themes such as metamorphosis, existential and identity. If we look at “The Metamorphosis,” we can view the idea of how the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and industrialism are indicated within the writings. Kafka contends we become dehumanized with buying power and working too much. The transformation of Gregor seems to indicate a denial of responsibility to the changing forms of society’s conventions and values.