Karl Marx is perhaps one of the most important philosophers of recent history. Though perhaps most famous for inspiring Communism with his Communist Manifesto co-authored with Karl Marx, his entire theory of class struggle and the role of the proletariat and the bourgeois is very influential to this day. Writing in eastern Europe in the mid to late 1800’s, Marx inspired many of the writers of the day, which had a large role in thought, leading up to the eventual Communist Revolution in Russia in 1918. One significant text written in this time period is Kafka’s Metamorphosis, the story of Gregor Samasa turning into a bug, published in Prague in 1915. While Kafka in not a known communist, by growing up in the climate of the time, his seminal
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Gregor’s job as a traveling salesman is obviously stressful, as he says that if he was “fired on the spot…that might be good for me. If it weren’t for my parents, I would have given notice long ago” (946). This quote shows just how unfulfilling Gregor’s life was given his current job, and position in society. This frustration is somewhat explained a little later later in the Novella when Gregor is unable to go to work and a representative from the company shows up. He wonders why, at his company, “the least infraction immediately attracted the greatest suspicion” (949). This led Gregor to the conclusion because of this mistrust that the company believed that “all employees [were] then without exception scoundrels” and that there were no “loyal, devoted individuals, who, when they had merely missed a few morning hours of service, would be so tormented by their pangs of consciousness that they would be frankly unable to leave their beds” (949). This pondering of the main character might also show the beliefs of the author, Kafka. The quotes show how workers have a deck set against them, in relation to succeeding in their current, capitalist countries. In addition, they express the common Marxist theme of a hard working proletariat, that is loyal and will do their jobs well, if only they are given the chance. However, this …show more content…
The first hint of this theme in the novel is Gregor’s sister, Grete’s reaction when he does not open his door to the deputy director. She starts to cry, and Gregor supposes that it is because she fears that “he was losing his position and because the director would then persecute his parents with the old demands” (950). Even though this assumption is not necessarily true, it still shows a general truth that working is what Gregor thinks is the most valued part of his existence, a common theme in Marxism. In addition, later in the novella, when Gregor has already been a bug for a couple of months his family all takes up jobs, with his father working at a bank, his mother “sew[ing] fine lingerie for a boutique” and his sister working as a “salesclerk” (967). These new jobs are somewhat hard on the family, especially the father, as they become “overworked and overtired” (967). However, over time these jobs have a great effect on the family. One effect was the turning of the sister, who had previously supported Gregor, turning on him, saying that “we have to try to get rid of it” (973). At this point Gregor has become a burden on the family, and does not conform to the working class, rather he
Gregor’s job as a traveling salesman is obviously stressful, as he says that if he was “fired on the spot…that might be good for me. If it weren’t for my parents, I would have given notice long ago” (946). This quote shows just how unfulfilling Gregor’s life was given his current job, and position in society. This frustration is somewhat explained a little later later in the Novella when Gregor is unable to go to work and a representative from the company shows up. He wonders why, at his company, “the least infraction immediately attracted the greatest suspicion” (949). This led Gregor to the conclusion because of this mistrust that the company believed that “all employees [were] then without exception scoundrels” and that there were no “loyal, devoted individuals, who, when they had merely missed a few morning hours of service, would be so tormented by their pangs of consciousness that they would be frankly unable to leave their beds” (949). This pondering of the main character might also show the beliefs of the author, Kafka. The quotes show how workers have a deck set against them, in relation to succeeding in their current, capitalist countries. In addition, they express the common Marxist theme of a hard working proletariat, that is loyal and will do their jobs well, if only they are given the chance. However, this …show more content…
The first hint of this theme in the novel is Gregor’s sister, Grete’s reaction when he does not open his door to the deputy director. She starts to cry, and Gregor supposes that it is because she fears that “he was losing his position and because the director would then persecute his parents with the old demands” (950). Even though this assumption is not necessarily true, it still shows a general truth that working is what Gregor thinks is the most valued part of his existence, a common theme in Marxism. In addition, later in the novella, when Gregor has already been a bug for a couple of months his family all takes up jobs, with his father working at a bank, his mother “sew[ing] fine lingerie for a boutique” and his sister working as a “salesclerk” (967). These new jobs are somewhat hard on the family, especially the father, as they become “overworked and overtired” (967). However, over time these jobs have a great effect on the family. One effect was the turning of the sister, who had previously supported Gregor, turning on him, saying that “we have to try to get rid of it” (973). At this point Gregor has become a burden on the family, and does not conform to the working class, rather he