Franz Kafka’s story The Metamorphosis is unique in such a way that reality reflects the events that happen in the story which can be applied and assimilated within modern society. When Gregor Samsa wakes up from his illusive nightmare, he comes to realize he identifies himself with other downtrodden vermin of society. The metaphor of a human becoming a bug is extremely symbolic of isolation. As Kafka illustrates dehumanization through literary techniques in his short story The Metamorphosis, he not only demonstrates dehumanization in the 20th century but also asserts the meaning of humanity into the theme. Beginning the story with Gregor Samsa finding himself transformed into a monstrous cockroach, it seems dreamlike. The narrator quickly
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Inhumane events that occur before and after Gregor’s transformation, all represent dehumanization in the 20th century. When Gregor turns into a despised species, the lack of communication he perceived as a man becomes an actuality. Although Gregor did transform, there is a more disturbing transformation happening within his family. The expected love and support turns into shamed acceptance and resentment now that Gregor has let the family down (i.e. not being able to pay off his parent’s debt). There is a scene in the story where Gregor questions his humanity. When his mother and sister are moving out the furniture in his room, Gregor "saw the picture of the fur-clad woman all the more prominent now...he crawled hurriedly up to it and pressed himself against the glass, which stuck to him and imparted a pleasant coolness to his hot belly" (Kafka 1222). This line is almost sensual because it does highlight how he wants to hold onto some form of his humanity; this picture represents his desires. In a twist of fate, his mother proposed the idea of not taking away his furniture in case he does return from this intervening period. Although they do take away the furniture, Kafka illustrates the desire of Gregor wanting to hold on to his humanity when he "erupted forth... and four times changed his direction for he really didn't know what he should rescue first" (Kafka 1222). Grete and his mother take
Inhumane events that occur before and after Gregor’s transformation, all represent dehumanization in the 20th century. When Gregor turns into a despised species, the lack of communication he perceived as a man becomes an actuality. Although Gregor did transform, there is a more disturbing transformation happening within his family. The expected love and support turns into shamed acceptance and resentment now that Gregor has let the family down (i.e. not being able to pay off his parent’s debt). There is a scene in the story where Gregor questions his humanity. When his mother and sister are moving out the furniture in his room, Gregor "saw the picture of the fur-clad woman all the more prominent now...he crawled hurriedly up to it and pressed himself against the glass, which stuck to him and imparted a pleasant coolness to his hot belly" (Kafka 1222). This line is almost sensual because it does highlight how he wants to hold onto some form of his humanity; this picture represents his desires. In a twist of fate, his mother proposed the idea of not taking away his furniture in case he does return from this intervening period. Although they do take away the furniture, Kafka illustrates the desire of Gregor wanting to hold on to his humanity when he "erupted forth... and four times changed his direction for he really didn't know what he should rescue first" (Kafka 1222). Grete and his mother take