The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Assignment Example

 The MetamorphosisThe Metamorphosis is an allegory, which means that the events symbolize a more general human condition in modern society. In the story, “The Metamorphosis”, Gregor’s transformation is not without meaning and it is representative of human condition in modern society. Human in modern society is isolated and lonely and this isolation in modern society is depicted through the portrayal of Gregor Samsa’s character. Gregor as the protagonist of the story shows the condition of human beings in their daily lives.

He shows how a person passes his life and dies at the end. According to Kafka’s portrayal of Gregor, his character’s transformation into ‘monstrous verminous bug’ indicates towards his alienation in the world in which, he is alienated in the presence of his family, friends and colleagues. Gregor’s room in which, he was locked was his alienated self. He was unable to allow anyone to get it when he noticed his transformed physical appearance. Gregor’s physical appearance of a bug is indicative of his unacceptability for his family and other members of society who feel distasteful to see him.

Gregor was alone and no one was there to help him. After being transformed into an insect, Gregor has nothing to do but to stay in his room. He was aware of his gruesome appearance and at his sister’s arrival, he tries to conceal his appearance although this task was not pleasant for him as the writer tells, “Gregor could not derive any pleasure from isolating himself away so completely”. (II)His family empties his room regarding the things useless for Gregor. The emptiness of the room also refers to the emptiness that is present in Gregor’s personality because of his transformed appearance.

His room is empty like his own isolated personality. After being transformed into a bug, he had no human contact due to which, changes can be seen in his daily life. It is said,“Gregor realized that the lack of all immediate human contact, together with the monotonous life surrounded by the family over the course of these two months must have confused his understanding, because otherwise he couldn’t explain to himself that he in all seriousness could’ve been so keen to have his room emptied.” (II).He is living a monotonous life with lack of human contact and changing human attitudes.

Not only his physical appearance gets transformed but also his persona as a whole gets transformed. He starts concealing himself, he is much more isolated, his companions and family try to stay away from him and wait for the end of disturbance caused by his transformed appearance. His job of being a travelling salesman allows him to contact with a number of people but he lacks true sympathy and friendship from his contacts.Before his transformation, his figure was a human figure who was facing crises and hard working conditions with no real life in himself.

However, after transformation, his figure was gruesome for people and people tried to stay away from him. His gruesome appearance indicates towards lack of interest and attention from people around him and the isolation, which has surrounded him. In modern world, people are living in alienation and isolation and the character of Gregor is indicative of the issue.ReferencesKafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. USA: Kessinger Publishing, 2004.