In Franz Kafka’s story The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s character initially parallels his sister, Grete’s, and eventually, as Grete has her own internal metamorphosis, highlights the deep shame she has by the end of the novel. Pre-Insect-Gregor, in the opening passage, awakes to find himself transformed into a monstrous insect. However, throughout the story, the recurrent theme of “self-shame” is prominently steeped within the two characters. Insect-Gregor withdraws into a self-loathing recluse who is ashamed of being alive and a burden to his family. Grete, likewise, undergoes her own transformation from an almost angelic, saint-like caregiver to violent active shamer by the end of the novel. Kafka’s comparison between the two siblings, who were
…show more content…
And, as if in confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions, as soon as they reached their destination, Grete was the first to get up and stretch out her young body” (127). The shock of a happy ending after the horrific death of Insect-Gregor shifts the focus of the narrative from his demise to Grete’s future. Grete finds after Insect-Gregor’s death that she has value again, and that she does not have anything to be ashamed about (Helen Block Lewis). She is young, beautiful, and promising- everything Gregor (before and after metamorphosis) was not; however, the same systematic oppression that caused her brother to have so much shame is still in place and is just as likely to affect Grete in similar ways. The parents remain weak; they neglect their children and force them to carry burdens that traditionally, they should have supported. Grete is likely destined to spend the rest of her life taking care of her parents which as she showed with her outburst, she may not be fully-equipped to handle. Her parents’ thoughts of marriage for her take into no consideration her feelings; does she really want to get married? Readers must ask, she has shown no romantic inclinations toward anyone in the novel and although young, seems more interested in music than in marriage. Kafka shows that although Insect-Gregor was an extreme case of shame-victimization, the oppressive system that brought him to this state is still in place and the feelings that Gregor internalizes are very
And, as if in confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions, as soon as they reached their destination, Grete was the first to get up and stretch out her young body” (127). The shock of a happy ending after the horrific death of Insect-Gregor shifts the focus of the narrative from his demise to Grete’s future. Grete finds after Insect-Gregor’s death that she has value again, and that she does not have anything to be ashamed about (Helen Block Lewis). She is young, beautiful, and promising- everything Gregor (before and after metamorphosis) was not; however, the same systematic oppression that caused her brother to have so much shame is still in place and is just as likely to affect Grete in similar ways. The parents remain weak; they neglect their children and force them to carry burdens that traditionally, they should have supported. Grete is likely destined to spend the rest of her life taking care of her parents which as she showed with her outburst, she may not be fully-equipped to handle. Her parents’ thoughts of marriage for her take into no consideration her feelings; does she really want to get married? Readers must ask, she has shown no romantic inclinations toward anyone in the novel and although young, seems more interested in music than in marriage. Kafka shows that although Insect-Gregor was an extreme case of shame-victimization, the oppressive system that brought him to this state is still in place and the feelings that Gregor internalizes are very