The Metemorphosis Essay - 1402 Words

The Metamorphosis The Metamorphosis is a novel written by Kafka Franz and published in 1915. The story is about a travelling sales man by the name Samsa Gregor who wakes up to find himself transformed into an insect. The main characters include Gregor Samsa, Grete Samsa, Mr. Samsa, Mrs. Samsa and Samsa. The theme of change is conspicuous on the novel when Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into an insect. The theme of economic effects on human relationships is also evident when we find that Gregor Samsa is a slave to his family because he is the breadwinner. Gregor also characterizes the theme of alienation when he is alienated from his family, body, humanity, and job. The themes of personal identity, family duty, and†¦show more content†¦When Gregor can no more provide for his family, Mr. Samsa is forced to work despite his old age (Franz 12). Mrs. Samsa is Gregor’s mother who is shocked by Gregor’s metamorphosis and she still wants to get into his room. This results into a conflict between her sympathy and maternal impulse and her fear of Gregor’s new state (Franz 12). The theme of personal identity is evident when Gregor realizes that he had ignored his personal needs and entirely worked for others (Cook 36). He now wants to rebuild his own identity. Unfortunately, he cannot escape from his family role and he continues to provide for them. He resents how his family teats him. He however manages to escape his duty when he realizes in the last chapter that his family had been neglecting him. His search for his identity bears no fruits as he is left hopeless. He realizes his humanity at the end when he remembers the love he had for his family through his sister’s playing. He concludes that this love and his freedom would enable establish his identity. The theme of alienation is also conspicuous in the play. Before the transformation, Gregor is alienated from his family, humanity, job, and body to the extent that he cannot notice the metamorphosis. He barely realizes when he loses his consideration for his family; this is because it seems to be alien to him. He has aShow MoreRelatedThe Most Influential Writers Of The Twentieth Century1806 Words   |  8 Pageshas been transformed into a large insect. Instead of figuring out what is wrong with him he tries to continue on with Weir 3 his daily life and adjust to his new body. All though he tries to make the best of his situation in the end he fails. (Metemorphosis Book ) Another famous short story written Kafka was the Hunger Artist. The story is about a man who as seen as the Hunger Artist. He goes from town to town with his manager to display himself in a locked cage fasting for forty days. Through time