Setting And Isolation In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

The setting is usually a major part of the meaning of stories since it usually represents a certain idea or strengthens one presented by a character. In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, the setting is an integral part of the novel because it helps strengthen and represent certain ideas, such as isolation, family life, and capitalism. A major portion of the book occurs in Gregor’s room. It is therefore only natural that the room represents a theme that is present in the novel. Gregor’s room represents the theme of isolation in the novel because it is where he spends his life after his transformation. Isolation is to be kept secluded from something, which is what Gregor experiences as a bug when his family lock him in his room. When Gregor mentions that the door had been locked and the keys were now inserted from the outside, he reveals that his family is trying to keep him in his room. The father’s actions of chasing Gregor into his room, first by brandishing a cane and hissing and the second time by throwing apples at him, further demonstrate the family’s desire to keep Gregor in his room. This evidence reveals that the family no longer feels that Gregor is one of them and thus isolate him in his room to keep him away from them. The room is therefore a …show more content…
Gregor’s room is a symbol of isolation since he spends his life after the metamorphosis in the room and away from his family. The living room represents the idea of family unity because only those who are able to be in the room are seen as members of the family. The world outside of the Samsa’s home is a manifestation of the ideas of capitalism since it is there that people are dehumanised into robotic workers and it is also where money is seen as important. The setting therefore has a major impact on the novel as it serves as a means to reveal concepts essential to the understanding of the