Literary Analysis: “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is known by most first-time readers as simply a classic, existentialist work of fiction that follows the life of a man named Gregor Samsa, whom wakes up one morning to find that he has suddenly metamorphosed into a roach. Despite this seemingly simple plot summarization of man-turned-bug, the Metamorphosis offers much more room for interpretation when one analyzes the text. Further analysis shows that the text within Metamorphosis lends itself most successfully to three literary theories: Marxist, Feminist/Gender, and Psychoanalytic theory. The application of Marxist, Feminist/Gender, and Psychoanalytic theory to Metamorphosis provides readers an in-depth
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In the story, Kafka admits early on that “[Gregor] felt great pride in the fact that he had been able to provide such a life for his parents and sister in such a fine flat. But what if all the quiet, the comfort, the contentment were now to end in horror?” (Kafka 18) This quote is demonstration of patriarchy. By this line, Kafka demonstrates how gender plays a stereotypical role in Metamorphosis as Gregor assumes that without a male working in the household (since it is stated later how his father couldn’t be expected to do much because of growing fat and sluggish) the family will be ruined financially. Consequently, women are not taken into consideration as possible providers. Gregor even dismisses the idea of his younger sister Grete working simply because her life should consist of “…dressing herself nicely, sleeping long, [and] helping in housekeeping…” as well as dismissing the mother as incapable because of her asthma. (Kafka 22) These character traits are conventionally “feminine” in nature, which reveals Kafka’s stereotypical portrayal of women as merely being a caretaker for the male head of the household whom are “fragile” and shouldn’t have to deal with heavy labor. As the story progresses into parts 2 and 3, a strong power shift occurs in which Grete begins to take charge and overcome
In the story, Kafka admits early on that “[Gregor] felt great pride in the fact that he had been able to provide such a life for his parents and sister in such a fine flat. But what if all the quiet, the comfort, the contentment were now to end in horror?” (Kafka 18) This quote is demonstration of patriarchy. By this line, Kafka demonstrates how gender plays a stereotypical role in Metamorphosis as Gregor assumes that without a male working in the household (since it is stated later how his father couldn’t be expected to do much because of growing fat and sluggish) the family will be ruined financially. Consequently, women are not taken into consideration as possible providers. Gregor even dismisses the idea of his younger sister Grete working simply because her life should consist of “…dressing herself nicely, sleeping long, [and] helping in housekeeping…” as well as dismissing the mother as incapable because of her asthma. (Kafka 22) These character traits are conventionally “feminine” in nature, which reveals Kafka’s stereotypical portrayal of women as merely being a caretaker for the male head of the household whom are “fragile” and shouldn’t have to deal with heavy labor. As the story progresses into parts 2 and 3, a strong power shift occurs in which Grete begins to take charge and overcome