Keywords: the metamorphosis franz kafka, franz kafka symbolism
The opening line of the storyline is shocking and bizarre. "One day, upon awakening from agitated dreams, Gregor Samsa found himself, in his foundation, transformed into a monstrous vermin. " Quite simply, Gregor is altered immediately from a individual into a insect. Although it is unclear whether this "metamorphosis" is literal or figurative, this change is undoubtedly the concentration of the complete story. Gregor's lack of anxiety or panic upon knowing his dreadful predicament is noteworthy. His finish that taking a later coach to work will solve his problem is amusing. Considered virtually, becoming an insect is reason to worry. His reaction suggests that the metamorphosis was unconscious; he did not literally change into a bug but rather gradually recognized his status and felt just like a bug.
Eventually, however, Gregor realizes that he is just being employed by his family. Following this actuality sinks in, symbolized by his "agitated dreams, " Gregory actually feels as though a bug. He identifies his isolation and alienation from modern culture. The grand metamorphosis occurs, and eventually Gregor experiences an entire role reversal. He attempts to catch the next coach to work and continue as he previously before his realization. However, Gregor is so distraught that he cannot bring himself to get out of bed. Subconsciously he can no longer tolerate his family's treatment of him.
However, it is merely after his oversleeping that Gregor can commence to acknowledge his wasteful life. Gregor's oversleeping through "agitated dreams" signifies his resentment of his pathetic situation. Before his transformation he'd quickly leap out of bed to continue his miserable life without considering an alternative solution lifestyle. In his sleep however he is afforded the possibility to momentarily get away from life to contemplate his internal turmoil. The "agitated dreams" symbolize his pitiable living; the oversleeping serves as the original stage of Gregor realizing this living.
Gregor is not the sole figure in this account that activities a change. His parents and his sister are obligated to change as well to be able to adjust to their new circumstances. Upon recognizing Gregor's metamorphosis, his family leaves him in his room and isolates him, equally they had done before. His mother dislike the vision of him, and they distinguish further. Gregor's father is forced to return to work and therefore assumes the role of aiding the family. So long as Gregor was working, his dad was unwilling to follow a career; rather, he was content to let Gregor support the family all by himself. Thus, Gregor's working allows Mr. Samsa to sit home all day doing nothing at all. It is merely through Gregor's inability to work that his daddy is forced to suppose the role of aiding the family. As a result, Gregor's sickness and fatality helps his father's job development.
In his sickness, even his dad cannot stand the eyesight of him and in disgust fatally wounds Gregor by tossing an apple at him. Kafka uses the apple to make a biblical allusion to symbolize the apple from the tree of knowledge. The apple symbolizes Gregor's awareness of his pitiful presence. His dad throws the apple at him showing that Gregor is being declined by his family. This new truth of alienation and isolation drives him to his finally fatal mental state. His father's unhealthy reliance on his kid leads Gregor to feel estranged. This alienation triggers Gregor to manifest his emotions of worthlessness and isolation in a manner that would have an impact on his body. This mental break down eventually drives Gregor mad resulting in his untimely fatality.
Unlike Mr. Samsa, Gregory's sister cares for him and attempts to nurse him back to health by giving him with food and encouragement. However, even she actually is unable to endure him after a while. She comments that the "bug" cannot possibly be Gregor as though it were "he would have realized way back when that humans cannot possibly live with this animal and he would have left of his own accord. " At that point, being completely stripped of his humanity and being, completely turned down by his family, Gregor's transformation to a insect is complete. Ironically, Gregor's unpleasant life of portion his family is better than the alternative. Once he can no longer give his family, life was not worthy of living.
After Gregor is inactive, the Samsas are relieved, plus they make plans because of their girl to get committed. As long as Gregor was alive, his family is unable to proceed through life and move on. Rather, they depended on Gregor for everything and made no effort to be profitable. Their troubled marriage with Gregor was thereby harmful to the entire family.
The numerous transformations within the Metamorphosis emphasize the importance of preserving healthy associations. The dysfunctional Samsa household depends on their kid Gregory to aid the entire family. This absurd role reversal not only triggers Gregor to truly have a mental malfunction, but also avoids the rest of his family from seeking their own professions. Only after Gregory's loss of life is his family able to go forward with life. Kafka uses the transformations inside the Metamorphosis to reinforce the importance of keeping healthy associations. When people get trapped in abusive interactions, their entire families fall apart. The important lessons that Kafka teaches within the Metamorphosis continue to have relevance today.
