Preview

Alienation In The Metamorphosis

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
904 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alienation In The Metamorphosis
In the novel The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka it establishes the theme of alienation from the society and their true identity. The main character, Gregor Samsa awakes to the realization that he has transformed into a verminous bug. His physical and mental metamorphosis creates obstacles throughout the course of Gregor’s life. Gregor who was once the caretaker of his family is now unable to work. This has caused an economic burden on his family. The transformation also is viewed as a danger to the family’s household. Therefore, they barricade Gregor in his room where he has limited access to his family and the society. Throughout the novel the furniture, door and uniforms serve as symbols of Gregor’s alienation from society and himself. The symbolism of uniforms depicts the transfer of leadership in the family. Gregor worked long hours as a traveling salesman to help pay off for his parents’ debt and support his family. This provided Gregor a source of “... pride that he had been able to provide such a life in a beautiful apartment like this for his parents and his sister” (Kafka 34). Therefore, Gregor illustrated the qualities of being a leader since he was the only one providing economic support for his family. After Gregor’s transformation he was physically incapable to work. …show more content…
The symbolism of the uniforms and furniture depict allienation from true self. Uniforms revealed the transfer of power to Mr.Samsa who was the sole provider of the family. The removal of furniture shows physical and mental dehumanization of Gregor. In addition, the symbolism of the door acted as a barrier between human interation with his family and the society. Furthermore, an individual who is allienated from a society or one’s self must overcome these barriers because if not done so they will become depressed and lose their true
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Gregor Samsa Chapter 1 Summary
    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Gregor Samsa Chapter 1 Summary

    He sees how much energy his family puts into him just because of his newfound situation. Gregor does his best to adjust to his new ways of life by learning more about himself, and also about his new form of outward appearance. Gregor not only looks back on himself and his new insect body, but he reflects also on his family relationship, as well as realizing how both him and his parents have now drifted further apart than before, as opposed to him and his sister’s relationship, which remains a strong bond no matter the situation. Gregor changes some of his habits as a repercussion to how he sees his family working hardly to maintain his life. In an effort to not be so much of a burden, Gregor devises a plan so his family does not have to do so much for him.…

    • 1337 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Metamorphosis Rhetorical Analysis
    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page

    Metamorphosis Rhetorical Analysis

    In Metamorphosis Franz Kafka examines the alienation from society that turns a human being into a bug. Gregor Sampsa is clearly unhappy with his life and alienated by the expectations placed upon him by his family and society. For example the text says “If I didn’t have my parents to think about I’d have given in my notice a long time ago, I’d have gone up to my boss and told him just what I think, tell him everything, I would have let him know just what I feel,” Gregor says. But of course, he can’t tell his boss how he feels. How he feels is besides the point. “He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone.” Gregor is in no position of power he is just another worker for his harsh boss. Gregor’s alienation is symbolically represented…

    • 167 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Isolation And Alienation In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
    • 305 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Isolation And Alienation In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    Throughout the novel, Mr. Kafka uses third person limited point of view to tell the story of Gregor Samsa’s life-changing transformation. This literary device gives the author the ability to display both the protagonist’s emotions and actions. For example, Franz Kafka writes about how Gregor stood in his “tall, empty room where he was forced to remain made him feel uneasy as he lay here flat on the floor, even though he had been living in it for five years” (pg.36). The author’s…

    • 305 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Symbolism in Franz Kalfka's "The Metamorphosis
    • 823 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Symbolism in Franz Kalfka's "The Metamorphosis

    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 symbols shown in this tragic story.…

    • 823 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Character Analysis
    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka Character Analysis

    He is often worried how his family would take him in his hideous state, he often wondered, would they accept him? “They were cleaning out his room, taking away from him everything he cherished; they had already dragged out the chest of drawers in which the fret saw and other tools were kept, and they were now loosening the writing desk which was fixed tight to the floor, the desk on which he, as a business student, a school student, indeed even as an elementary school student, had written out his assignments… He squatted on his picture and did not hand it over.” (Kafka 57, 58) As a result, even though he knows he would feel more physically comfortable if his room were emptied of furniture, allowing him to crawl anywhere he pleased, Gregor panics when Grete and his mother are taking out the furniture, such as the writing desk he remembers doing all his assignments at as a boy. In a desperate attempt to hold onto the few reminders he has of his humanity, he clings to the picture of the woman muffled in fur so that no one will take it away.…

    • 707 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Symbolism In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
    • 487 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Symbolism In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    In conclusion, Kafka used many symbols to help develop is story such as the woman in the picture who provided Gregor with a sense of humanity and the furniture which was stripped from him and denying him his human aspects. Also, the apple which brought Gregor closer to his family but as it rotted so did their relationship. Finally, his door is Gregors way of isolating himself from his family in the beginning but soon becomes the Samsa's way of keeping what they used to know as Gregor…

    • 487 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Alienation In The Metamorphosis
    • 233 Words
    • 1 Page

    Theme Of Alienation In The Metamorphosis

    An individual cannot prevail positively or productively with all fundamental needs met without the dynamic of society. Society engenders restrictions on man. Our society has created many stereotypes which has blinded many individuals, resulting in leaving one confined to the realms of the world, crippling humanity. In the fictional novel, The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, a salesman named Gregor Samsa was left in his own bubble to suffer alone, simply because he didn't measure up to the prevailing social standings that were upheld in this society. Kafka demonstrates the theme of alienation, from a unique perspective through the utilization of tone and imagery.…

    • 233 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Isolation In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Isolation In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

    Once Gregor’s mother finds out about his transformation, she faints due to most likely shock and disgust. Due to Gregor’s new state his own mother disowns him, and there is no telling how society will act. The head clerk comes to criticize Gregor, and all the clerk has to say when the door is opened is,” Oh,”(Kafka 16) and use his hands to cover his mouth. The clerk must be so appalled by what he’s looking at, he knows Gregor but is not a close friend, this could be symbolic of how society might act towards Gregor. Gregor’s family, and society, also disown him and aggravate his…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Gregor And His Father: Interaction Between Society's Oppression
    • 211 Words
    • 1 Page

    Gregor And His Father: Interaction Between Society's Oppression

    The interaction between Gregor and his father is symbolism between society’s conformity, and the unconfirmed. Gregor represents the unconfirmed, while his father represents society. Gregor father comes to eliminate Gregor such as society tries to eliminate the citizens who do not conform to it irrational ideals of a perfect society. When the unconfirmed does not become invisible, or even if society senses their presence, knowing that the unconfirmed exists is enough for society to start a mission to eliminate them. The apples Gregor’s father bombards Gregor with represent persecution, threats, and violence received by the unconfirmed. Gregor’s fleeing represents societies oppressed trying to survive and avoid their oppressors. But such as Gregor…

    • 211 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Metamorphosis And A Hunger Artist: Literary Analysis
    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Metamorphosis And A Hunger Artist: Literary Analysis

    Gregor hates his job and is very miserable and unfulfilled. Not only was his job a problem but also his family was not supportive. The way Gregor led his life gave many examples of the attempt to isolate and alienate himself from what he feared and detested. The relationship between Gregor and his father was not a good mainly because of the lack of respect for each other. His family's lack of respect and attention would push him further into a state of isolation. Gregor continues to hide inside his room and attempt to become more alienated. One day he wakes up with shell on his back resembling a beetle. The alienation of himself would be greater know. With the new change Gregor's own mother and sister were disgusted and rejected what had happened. His father must work just as hard for the family and becomes more upset with his son. After the metamorphosis it became very hard to understand what Gregor's needs were and even to communicate. "Did you understand a word?" the manger was asking his parents. "He isn't trying to make fools of us, is he?" "My god" cried his mother, already in tears," maybes he's seriously ill and here we are torturing him." (pg 13). Gregor's effort to be alienated is finally truly a problem and is affecting his own family. The only way to escape his way of alienation is to physically take his life and…

    • 867 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Kafka's Metamorphsis
    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Kafka's Metamorphsis

    His mother, wanting to accommodate her son, removes the furniture in room so he can move more freely in it. However, Gregor still has a need to have human belongings in his room. The picture of the woman in the furs, for example, has significance for Gregor because it reminded him of his former life. His sister Grete, is the only one who seems to get close to him, even though there is at least in the first two parts of the story, sympathy for Gregor from his mother and sister. Gregor’s father was unkind man who seemed primarily concerned with finances, even from the first day of Gregor’s metamorphosis, and even attacks Gregor later on in the story with fruit, injuring him.…

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Metamorphosis
    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Metamorphosis

    In the novel by Franz Kafka, “The Metamorphosis” one could say that there are many causes which leads to Gregor Samsa’s alienation. In examining Gregor’s alienation one has to review causes both before and after his metamorphosis. One has to note that Gregor could only be alienated by his family because he had no friends or significant other. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis the primary reason for his alienation was his job as a traveling salesman and the unfulfilling work schedule he had to maintain. After his metamorphosis Gregor’s physical appearance ultimately leads him to be isolated and alienated from his family. Although there are many reasons for Gregor’s alienation, his lifestyle and dedication to his family leads to his alienation and tragic demise.…

    • 722 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    What Is The Theme Of Isolation In Frankenstein
    • 1391 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What Is The Theme Of Isolation In Frankenstein

    In the novel, The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, alienation and isolation are very prominent themes that flow through the pages. When Gregor undergoes his transformation into a grotesque insect, it creates this psychological and emotional rift between Gregor and his family.…

    • 1391 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The True Metamorphosis
    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The True Metamorphosis

    The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka offers much to be critiqued, including the reason why Gregor Samsa was transformed into a hideous beetle. The truth is Gregor had put himself into a position of demise long ago. Over the years, he had worked himself into both physical and mental exhaustion. Gregor was the sole provider, and eventually his family grew less appreciative of him. His relationship with his family had gone south. They were no longer as close, and it were as if he had become isolated. In Education for Tragedy, Walter H. Sokel elaborates on that point.…

    • 1356 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Ib English Hl 1 External Assessment
    • 1379 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Ib English Hl 1 External Assessment

    The early twentieth century represented a time of hardship and struggles throughout Europe. In 1915, at the onset of World War I, Austria-Hungary centered at the heart of this turmoil. This societal angst eventually translated into/became the individual alienation that lies at the center of Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. The protagonist Gregor Samsa’s shocking change into a bug reflects this angst felt by Kafka and his own perception of the world – and his role in it. As a bug, he cannot provide for his family any longer, and therefore becomes excluded from familial affairs. The family adjusts to his plight by taking on extra jobs and admitting boarders into the home for extra financial support; all the while, Gregor becomes victimized by the coldness of his newfound world. In a period where everyday living presented a daily fight to survive, the family could not lament Gregor’s absence for too long before worrying about personal wellbeing. This coldness of that era is incorporated through Gregor’s dire situation and in turn, the family’s cold reaction indicates the “survival of the fittest” theme evident in families during that time. Kafka employs depressing language and style, a three-part structure to the novel, and an extended metaphor to shape the belief that in a world filled with conflict, regardless of family ties, only the fittest will endure.…

    • 1379 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics