How Does The Metamorphosis Change Throughout The Novel

Ralph Freedman’s critical essay titled “Kafka’s Obscurity” on Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis delves into the idea that from changes in the protagonist’s physical limitations, familial bonds, and his being “[he] is finally reduced to a mere speck of self-awareness which is ultimately extinguished” (Freedman 131). General questions of “why” and “how” are almost immediately dismissed due to the calm and monotonous tone that Kafka implements throughout the novel. Instead, the reader is encouraged to ponder the consequences of separating one’s mind from their body, in particular, how long can their humanity stay intact when the rest of them is replaced. Freedman reveals the “paradoxical” (Freedman 131) nature of The Metamorphosis in which the demise of one’s life may also be blissful release, especially when the individual in question was arguably inhuman to begin with. The transformation itself is emphasising the character’s current dejection and is highlighted by the transformations mirrored in the family as well.

The causes of the civil war have been many, the general focus revolved around social class inequality, poverty and repressive military rule. Before the war, almost everyone in El

Gregor’s major transformation occurred not when he turned into a bug, but through the changes in his life. Gregor’s life before the changed into some sort of bug was like a bumble bee. He would go through life doing as others told him. In

Throughout the story there is a clear switch in the attitude of Gregor. In the novel he starts out his metamorphosis still having a very human mentality and as the story progresses becomes more and more like an insect. He also starts to get more and more depressed as the story goes on which helped him completely lose the humanity in him. Each part in the novel brings him closer and closer to mentally being bug.

Growing up, Franz Kafka questioned his father’s use of power not only at home but also in the workplace. Kafka’s father referred to his employees as “paid enemies.” Upon noticing “the submissiveness expected of [workers] toward their superiors” in his own asbestos factory, Kafka found this true for not only his father but also most of the upper class (Speirs and Sandberg 7). Disappointed by this class hierarchy, Kafka attended anarchist meetings and referenced communist writers in his diaries (Cohn). These meetings led him to develop a similar ideology to Karl Marx, who attributed “all… [of] history [to] class struggles.” In The Metamorphosis, Kafka channels a Marxist viewpoint through Gregor Samsa’s life before his metamorphosis and his family’s life after the metamorphosis.

“The Metamorphosis” unfolds into a novella where the four main characters develop over the course of the story. Their development is accredited to once single event which happens to the main character, Gregor Samsa. Gregor becoming a gigantic bug not only changes his perspective of life, literally, but also impacts his family dynamic in a negative way which will never be restored. With this result of the family shifting, Gregor feel he is the cause for all the pain among family.

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.

1. Gregor’s initial reaction to his transformation, more specifically his worrying about missing the train and dwelling on the hardships of his job, reveals the extent to which Gregor’s own self-identity and way of life is dependent on his work. While most people would probably be horrified to find themselves transformed into a bug, Gregor instantly thinks of his job because that is what comprises Gregor’s identify and without his job he has no purpose or worth in his society. As Gregor contemplates his future, he thinks to himself, “Well, there’s still some hope; once I’ve got the money together to pay off my parents’ debt to him [his boss] – another five or six years I suppose – that’s definitely what I’ll do. That’s when I’ll make the big change” (Kafka 8).

Franz Kafka is a twentieth century author who's most of his work would not be published if it were not for his acquaintance who refused to get rid of all of Kafka's work upon his request. Kafka's first pieces of literature were published in 1908. These were 8 stories were published in periodicals. He would write letters, as well as short stories and novels. Amongst his novels he wrote Amerika written in 1912, The Trial written in 1914, The Castle written in 1922. Kafka's writing is very symbolic and as well as very original although there might be tension at times. The Novel, The Metamorphosis was published in 1915. This story

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a novel that centers on the theme of alienation. When Gregor turns into a bug, he is estranged from almost everyone he comes into contact with, except for his sister. As the novel progresses, Gregor’s family, even his sister, begin to see Gregor as someone completely different and feel burdened by him. When he dies in his room, they seem oddly excited and begin to move on with their lives. The physical and mental death of Gregor in The Metamorphosis reinforces the theme of alienation.

Before we start, let me ask a question. What comes to your mind when you hear of the word Medea? There are no right or wrong answer, but hold on to your answer. The author, Euripides portray Medea as an egalitarianism. Euripides is known for breaking the Greek sex gender system and he was intrigued by women's position in society.

His initial lack of acceptation to the metamorphosis eventually leads to him giving up when he realizes that he is stuck in the insect body. Gregor also still feels responsible for his family, even though he cannot help that he was turned into a bug. They should be attempting to help him, but they are not, and yet he still feels bad for not being able to provide for them. He sees himself as solely responsible in taking care of them and blames himself for their struggles after his transformation. When Gregor overhears his

In this ever changing world, it's important to have a theory of knowledge, when at times others action seem to be without regards but yet will attest that they have a belief in God as the creator. But then their foundation becomes unsure when other comes with a theory not base on Knowledge, but on an accident that came about as the result of the fall of man which cause the cosmic. Furthermore, in considering the event that's occurring in the world today it would not be wrong to state the many people believe that there is a God who is the controller of the universe, and at the same time are swayed to entertained naturalism. This entertainment has cause some to combine their views, as a way to stay nature. In the book "The Advancement,"

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.

Kafka certainly starts the novella off strong by explaining the situation Gregor is randomly put into. The ridiculousness of the circumstance is enough to hook the reader into the story. Gregor is transformed into a giant insect, but dismisses it as him being tired. The first part is quite enjoyable as the reader has the suspense of his family and boss seeing Gregor’s new appearance and the humor of Gregor saying that he will be leaving for work soon while getting accustomed to his new body. The amount of work Gregor put into explaining that he will be leaving for work soon is ironic as well since the reader later finds out that his speech is incomprehensible to humans. However, one must wonder how Gregor planned to go to work as a giant insect to begin with. Even when he fully realized he actually transformed into a giant insect,