The theme of metamorphosis is prevalent in Franz Kafka’s novella, The Metamorphosis. Although Mr. Samsa, the protagonist's father, remains human exteriorly, throughout the novella as a result of Gregor’s, the protagonist, transformation, his personality metamorphosizes into that of an animal. Comparably, Greta, Gregor’s sister, shifts from a her caring persona to an insensitive and selfish sister. In contrast, Gregor who literally transform in exterior, manages to maintain his natural tendency to provide for his family, ultimately remaining the most humane in his family. Although Gregor undergoes a physical metamorphosis to a lowly bug, his personality remains humane throughout the novella juxtaposed to Mr. Samsa and Grete whose personalities
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Samsa is never depicted as a kind hearted man, prior to his discovery of Gregor’s physical transition to a bug he does exhibit more humane qualities until he metamorphosizes into an inhumane being through and through. Before discovering Gregor’s new appearance Mr. Samsa reacts naturally; "Gregor, Gregor", he called, "what's wrong?" And after a short while he called again with a warning deepness in his voice: "Gregor! Gregor!"(). Although Mr. Samsa does not appear as an exceptionally kind man, he is still having a reasonable response to his son refusal to depart from his room. At this point Mr. Samsa is not aware of the transformation his son undergone so he is treating him like a parent treats a son who is being unresponsive. Mr. Samsa refrains from barging into the room allowing Gregor his privacy and additionally asks Gregor what’s wrong which shows that Mr. Samsa does have caring tendencies. However, once Mr. Samsa is exposed to the new Gregor he loses the sense of civility and he forgoes treating his son as a person by using words. Instead Mr. Samsa continuously results to “making hissing noises at him like a wild man.”(). Once Mr. Samsa believes his son is an animal, he himself metamorphosizes by resulting to animal behavior. When Mr. Samsa hisses he is minimizing the value of words and conversation and is instead resulting to animal behavior. Furthermore, as Mr. Samsa continuously views Gregor his human traits dwindle more and more. Kafka …show more content…
Another one however, immediately following it, hit squarely and lodged in his back; Gregor wanted to drag himself away, as if he could remove the surprising, the incredible pain by changing his position; but he felt as if nailed to the spot and spread himself out, all his senses in confusion.
As time progressed Mr. Samsa’s civil tendencies completely obliterated causing him to throw apples at his own son. By throwing apples, Mr Samsa is completely embodying an animal that has little regard for life and makes sport of inflicting pain. Once he throws the apple at his son, the apples that ultimately leads Gregor to his death, Mr. Samsa is clearly relieving himself of his previous personality, the personality that still cared what was wrong with Gregor. Unfortunately, Mr. Samsa becomes so focused on what Gregor becomes that he fails to notice the dire effects his reaction has on his own self.
Similarly, Grete Samsa also metamorphosizes however Grete’s change is more startling due to the stark contrast between her initial compassion and her ultimate abhorrence. Despite Greta’s natural inclination to fear Gregor once she sees him, she originally suppresses these feelings to help him. Kafka
Samsa is never depicted as a kind hearted man, prior to his discovery of Gregor’s physical transition to a bug he does exhibit more humane qualities until he metamorphosizes into an inhumane being through and through. Before discovering Gregor’s new appearance Mr. Samsa reacts naturally; "Gregor, Gregor", he called, "what's wrong?" And after a short while he called again with a warning deepness in his voice: "Gregor! Gregor!"(). Although Mr. Samsa does not appear as an exceptionally kind man, he is still having a reasonable response to his son refusal to depart from his room. At this point Mr. Samsa is not aware of the transformation his son undergone so he is treating him like a parent treats a son who is being unresponsive. Mr. Samsa refrains from barging into the room allowing Gregor his privacy and additionally asks Gregor what’s wrong which shows that Mr. Samsa does have caring tendencies. However, once Mr. Samsa is exposed to the new Gregor he loses the sense of civility and he forgoes treating his son as a person by using words. Instead Mr. Samsa continuously results to “making hissing noises at him like a wild man.”(). Once Mr. Samsa believes his son is an animal, he himself metamorphosizes by resulting to animal behavior. When Mr. Samsa hisses he is minimizing the value of words and conversation and is instead resulting to animal behavior. Furthermore, as Mr. Samsa continuously views Gregor his human traits dwindle more and more. Kafka …show more content…
Another one however, immediately following it, hit squarely and lodged in his back; Gregor wanted to drag himself away, as if he could remove the surprising, the incredible pain by changing his position; but he felt as if nailed to the spot and spread himself out, all his senses in confusion.
As time progressed Mr. Samsa’s civil tendencies completely obliterated causing him to throw apples at his own son. By throwing apples, Mr Samsa is completely embodying an animal that has little regard for life and makes sport of inflicting pain. Once he throws the apple at his son, the apples that ultimately leads Gregor to his death, Mr. Samsa is clearly relieving himself of his previous personality, the personality that still cared what was wrong with Gregor. Unfortunately, Mr. Samsa becomes so focused on what Gregor becomes that he fails to notice the dire effects his reaction has on his own self.
Similarly, Grete Samsa also metamorphosizes however Grete’s change is more startling due to the stark contrast between her initial compassion and her ultimate abhorrence. Despite Greta’s natural inclination to fear Gregor once she sees him, she originally suppresses these feelings to help him. Kafka