The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka - Essay Example

The Metamorphosis Discuss Kafka’s view of society in relationship to the protagonist The Metamorphosis is a novella by Franz Kafka that illustrates the transformation of Gregor Samsa. In the Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka brings out many issues that people face in the society, for example, seclusion, work, change, happiness and the role of family members. The story begins by describing the transformation of Gregor from a normal human being into a monstrous insect. Gregor wakes up one morning from unsettling dreams only to realize that he has turned into a gigantic vermin (Whitlark, 2012). Franz may have chosen to start the story by illustrating a major change in Gregor life to emphasize how an individual’s role in the society can change abruptly. It is through these changes that individuals discover their actual roles in the society and they realize how other people view them. Gregor discovered that his family only needed him because he used to provide for them. He realized that his family members did not harbor any true affection towards him for other reasons except the fact that he was the sole provider. The transformation of Gregor from a human being into a monstrous vermin must have happened overnight and it forms the base for the entire story. To the reader’s surprise, Gregor is not frightened when he discovers that he has turned into a monstrous vermin (Kafka 3). It seems that Gregor has retained his mental capacity as a human being even though his body has transformed. However, he does not panic over his new state, which is abnormal considering that a normal human being would be panic-stricken by such a transformation. Gregor’s voice has also changed and his family members cannot understand him. The fact that Gregor has transformed pushes his family away as they cannot communicate with him or find meaning in his existence. His transformation alienates him from his family (Kafka & Wyllie, 2007). Kafka introduced the theme of alienation to show how the society reacts towards an individual when a negative occurrence happens. This can be seen in the modern world as close people depart from an individual when negative change occurs. Seclusion by his family and the society is one of the problems that Gregor faces after his transformation. It is apparent that his family secludes him for they no longer see him as a human being. His father has to look for a job in order to fill the void that Gregor leaves after he transforms into a vermin. Mr Samsa, Gregor’s father, dislikes Gregor and he even tries to kill him by throwing an apple at him. This shows the extent of hatred that his father has towards him and how easy it is for Gregor’s father to display the feelings, since Gregor became an insect. It shows that his father only found use for Gregor when he was working, as it allowed him to sit in the house all day doing nothing. Now that the roles have changed and Gregor’s father has to provide for his family, he feels hatred and disgust towards Gregor. This can be interpreted to demonstrate how the society treats individuals (Kafka, Freed & Baker, 2003). When one is playing a crucial role in others’ lives, he or she is loved and respected. When things change and the individual requires help, people turn away and forget the sacrifices that one has made for their wellbeing. The family will also treat family members well because of their positions or roles played. However, the family can also turn away when one is unable to play his or her roles. Some family members will even reveal their true nature of disgust towards an individual, once his or her role in their lives becomes obsolete. Gregor is confined within his room and does not interact with other people except for her sister Grete, who at first shows support for Gregor but eventually realizes that he cannot change back into his normal self. At first, Grete is supportive of Gregor and pleads with her family to show affection and support him. Grete plays a violin, which provides some happiness for Gregor. Grete even brings Gregor his favorite drink, which happens to be milk. However, Gregor has transformed and the food he used to like has become distasteful (Kafka & Wyllie, 2007). This shows that the transformation affected every aspect of Gregor personality including his preferences. This demonstrates that individuals may undergo complete transformation, therefore, changing old habits and picking new ones. However, the society does not take Gregor’s change positively as he is not conforming to the norms and traditions (Whitlark, 2012). His preferences have shifted from milk to rotten food, therefore, showing a major deviation from the normal behavior. This further leads to alienation as Gregor realizes that he does not fit in the normal society. The society will also treat people in the same manner. Once an individual changes and stops conforming to the accepted norms, people will alienate him or her instead of showing support and trying to figure the problem’s root. Although Grete was supportive at first, she also sees that Gregor cannot change, therefore, abandoning him and even getting married. This shows that Gregor’s transformation served as a positive influence to some of the people around him. His father was forced to work, therefore, leaving his old habits of staying in the house and lazing around. His sister is set to get married after she gives up on Gregor and realizes that he will never be normal again. Gregor’s mother is able to control her family and coordinate events that happening in their life. This shows that Gregor’s transformation has also transformed the other family members and they have realized that they do not have to rely on Gregor. Since his transformation, his mother, his father and Grete have been forced to work for themselves, hence being able to make positive transformations in their lives (Whitlark, 2012). This tends to show how a negative occurrence can foster positive change in the society by forcing people to come out of their comfort zones and work hard to accomplish their goals. Gregor seems to have made great sacrifices for his family by enduring a grueling job that he could not stand. He worked as a traveling salesman even though he hated traveling and eating the miserable food that was offered (Beveridge, 2009). Gregor expresses his dissatisfaction with his job but realizes that he cannot quit because the family depends on his job to enable them put a meal on the table. It seems that no one else is willing to work in the family, therefore, prompting Gregor to continue with his job as he does not want to let his family down. Gregor is also paying his family’s debts and paying rent in their stay in a nice apartment (Kafka Freed & Baker, 2003). Unfortunately, Gregor’s devotion to his family seems unappreciated as he is neglected after transforming into a vermin. This also happens in the contemporary world, where an individual gets a job that he or she hates, just to support people who are unappreciative. A lot of people across the world engage in jobs that they do not like so that they can keep friends or acquaintances that are only pretending to like them (Shmoop Editorial Team, 2008). The Metamorphosis shows that an individual’s change can help him or her learn a few things about the society, his friends and his family. Through the use of imagery and numerous metaphors, Kafka tries to describe a situation that many individuals experience once things take a turn for the worst. Kafka helps people to realize that the society and the family are institutions that are subject to change depending on an individual’s role. References Beveridge, A. (2009). Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 15(6), 459-461. Kafka, F., Freed, D., & Baker, J. (2003). The metamorphosis and other stories. New York: Barnes & noble. Kafka, F., & Wyllie, D. (2007). Metamorphosis. Middlesex, U.K.: Echo Library. ShmoopEditorialTeam. (2008, November 11). The Metamorphosis Summary. Shmoop.com. Retrieved March 6, 2014, from http://www.shmoop.com/metamorphosis/summary.html Whitlark, J. (2012). The metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press. Read More