Oppression In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

In “Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka, the writer uses Gregor Samsa to exploit the male and female norms created by a patriarchal society. The origination of Gregor's exploitation begins when his father, Mr. Samsa loses his business and acquires a great amount of debt. Gregor transforms from human to an insect and is incapable of fulfilling his main patriarchal responsibility: to pay off his family's debt. His sister, Grete assumes the position as Gregor’s caretaker to demonstrate her importance and intelligence. However, in attempts to rebel against patriarchy, Grete fails to demonstrate feminine worth and Gregor's death dispels his worth.

“Metamorphosis” has an extensive amount of interpretations which try to analyze the explanation behind …show more content…
Her rebellion indicates a desire for progression and ultimately, Gregor represents Grete's oppressor. He has responsibilities and is more important to society. His transformation creates an opportunity for Grete to assume full control over him. Grete decides when Gregor eats and what he eats. However, Grete’s power becomes too great, she pushes the idea of ridding Gregor. “ ‘It must be gotten rid of,’ cried the sister; ‘That is the only way, father. You must try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we have believed for so long, that is truly our real misfortune” (Kafka 69). Grete believes Gregor’s disappearance will ultimately result in a gain of power. By taking care of Gregor, she asserts her feminine independence and importance. Nonetheless, the story’s focus is more than just Gregor’s transformation, but Grete’s. From the beginning of the story, Grete is quiet, kind, and unimportant. Thus, Gregor’s metamorphosis reveals a new Grete with importance and dominance. In “Transforming Franz Kafka's ‘Metamorphosis’”, Nina Straus states, “Yet it is mainly Grete, woman, daughter, sister, on whom the social and psychoanalytic resonances of the text depend. It is she who will ironically 'bloom' as her brother deteriorates; it is she whose mirror reflects women’s present situation... to critique patriarchal dominance” (Straus 652). As Gregor becomes dependent, Grete becomes independent. Nina Straus …show more content…
Gregor is the patriarchal force that destroys Grete’s power. Ironically, Gregor assigns himself to the female role while Grete takes some of the responsibilities of a male. Without any recognition to Grete’s new independence, “it struck Mr. and Mrs. Samsa almost at the same moment how their daughter, who was getting more animated all the time, had blossomed recently...into a beautiful and voluptuous young woman...they thought that the time was now at hand to seek out a good honest man for her” (Kafka 77). Instead of being recognized by Grete’s newfound assertiveness and independence, her parents pay attention to her curves and beauty. Significantly, Grete's objectification mirrors the gender roles society and the patriarchy create. The identification that Grete is now ready for marriage fully demonstrates her futile attempts to gain feminine worth. In a patriarchy, marriage is a symbol of containment, sexual objectification, and the continuation of a society led by men. However, Grete was born into an object and her objectification will always remain. Furthermore, the transformation of Gregor and Grete symbolize that anything can be replaced in a patriarchal society. The death of Gregor rises a spotlight on Grete and quickly replaces Gregor. Nina Straus states, “Kafka transfers power and responsibility from the traditional patriarchal inheritor...to Grete. The exchange is