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Essay on The Metamorphosis: Use Of Comedy And Irony

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To what extent did Kafka use comedy/irony to develop his tragic, cynical view of society and family?Gregor Samsa, a young traveling salesman who lives with and financially supports his parents and younger sister, Grete, wakes up one morning to find "himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin" or insect. At first, to my surprise, he is preoccupied with practical, everyday concerns: How to get out of bed and walk with his numerous legs? Can he still make it to the office on time? Most persons would be devastated to find themselves in such a position as Gregor, but he did not seem to care much about himself, but only about his obligations, instead of panicking, he starts cursing his job : "If I did not hold back for my …show more content…

But it is not the metamorphosis itself that is relevant, it is the reaction of the world around it. Gregor’s family might not change overnight or change their behavior towards Gregor and his new form but definitely as time goes by, they slowly become strangers to him. "at that moment a lightly flung object hit the floor right near him and rolled in front of him. It was an apple; a second one came flying right after it; Gregor stopped dead with fear; further running was useless, for his father was determined to bombard him.".Now in this scene, Gregor scurries out into the living room and his father starts throwing apples at him to chase him away.

This is all because Gregor’s "breakout" from his room made his mother faint. So a giant beetle is seeking refuge on his little legs from his own father who is bombarding him with fruit. This must be the most tragic part of the book.Desperation must have taken Gregor’s father, for what father would bombard his own son? This is the moment when the family starts to rebel against Gregor.

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