The Role Of Gregor Samsa In The Metamorphosis
In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka discusses Gregor Samsa and his metamorphosis into a monstrous vermin. Kafka opens with Gregor discovering his new life as a bug, which prevents him from going to work to support his family, as he has done since the failure of his father’s business. Kafka transforms Gregor into a monstrous vermin as a commentary on existentialism, illuminating Gregor’s true sacrifice of giving up his life and relationship with his family in order to force them to discover their own life purposes. Prior to his transformation, Gregor believes that he is sacrificing himself by working to support his family. Gregor works for years in a job that makes him unhappy in order to alleviate his family’s debt after the collapse of his
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Kafka forces Gregor to sacrifice his life in order to allow his family to discover their own purposes. Gregor’s family is forced to support themselves and not use Gregor as a crutch. Gregor’s sister “[takes] a job as a salesgirl” while his father “[refuses] to take off his porter’s uniform” (33). Now that Gregor is no longer available to them, his family is finally able to realize their own potentials and create purpose with their lives. The existential principles Kafka supports state that each man must form his own life purpose. Gregor’s transformation is a manifestation of these convictions, however, it consequently damages Gregor in the process. As Gregor’s mother and sister are “clearing out his room”, Kafka conveys their dehumanizing attitudes as they lose value in Gregor (28). Kafka’s transformation of Gregor destroys the relationship Gregor has with his family prior to his transformation because his family no longer views Gregor as their benefactor. Kafka conveys that Gregor’s sacrifice is complete by allowing him to die. Gregor’s “last breath faintly [streams]” from his mouth and nostrils, juxtaposing the completion of his sacrifice with the completion of his life (43). By removing Gregor’s support, Kafka forces the family to venture out on a journey of self-discovery, and consequently forces Gregor to sacrifice his life and relationship with
Kafka forces Gregor to sacrifice his life in order to allow his family to discover their own purposes. Gregor’s family is forced to support themselves and not use Gregor as a crutch. Gregor’s sister “[takes] a job as a salesgirl” while his father “[refuses] to take off his porter’s uniform” (33). Now that Gregor is no longer available to them, his family is finally able to realize their own potentials and create purpose with their lives. The existential principles Kafka supports state that each man must form his own life purpose. Gregor’s transformation is a manifestation of these convictions, however, it consequently damages Gregor in the process. As Gregor’s mother and sister are “clearing out his room”, Kafka conveys their dehumanizing attitudes as they lose value in Gregor (28). Kafka’s transformation of Gregor destroys the relationship Gregor has with his family prior to his transformation because his family no longer views Gregor as their benefactor. Kafka conveys that Gregor’s sacrifice is complete by allowing him to die. Gregor’s “last breath faintly [streams]” from his mouth and nostrils, juxtaposing the completion of his sacrifice with the completion of his life (43). By removing Gregor’s support, Kafka forces the family to venture out on a journey of self-discovery, and consequently forces Gregor to sacrifice his life and relationship with