Change In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

In the novel The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka employs the significance of change as well as the dehumanization of Gregor Samsa, in order to emphasize the theme of isolation and alienation. Here we uncover a man, who was once respected and cared for, turn into a despicable creature, an outcast of society. Upon having just changed into this “monstrous vermin”, Gregor already seems to feel alone in his predicament, and anticipates the effect that his transformation will have on everyone (p.3). In fact, when both his family and manager finally catch a glimpse of him, they react with absolute repulsion and disgust. Consequently, Gregor loses his job and is now forced to spent the majority of his time locked away in his room, so as to relieve “the inconvenience he was bound to cause [his family due to] his …show more content…
As a result, his isolation is rendered complete; Gregor’s presence is no longer acknowledged nor desired, and he becomes an exile in his own home. Moreover, over the course of the story it becomes apparent that Gregor’s detachment had, in fact, preceded his transformation, since he was already living a lonely and secluded life while working as a travelling salesman. He mentions that he “[had] felt hardly any surprise at [the] growing lack of consideration [from] others”, especially because he had become well-versed with fleeting and transitory relationships. Therefore, the alienation caused by Gregor’s metamorphosis can be viewed as an extension of the alienation he already felt as a person. His transformation into a bug serves a metaphor for his life-- one that was already rooted in isolation and