The Metamorphosis is probably the best-known novella written by German-Jewish author Franz Kafka. There is a large focus placed on the metamorphosis of Kafka’s central character, Gregory Samsa, into a monstrous vermin. However, Gregory’s reality is insignificantly changed in spite of his drastic physical change. Thus, Gregory’s new insect state is not the main transformation of the novella. Kafka utilizes Gregory’s transformation as a means for the more significant metamorphosis of the Samsa family. While Gregory remains largely unchanged, at least in his way of thinking, the rest of his family undergoes radical changes, from dependent and sympathetic to independent and hostile and eventually to dependent and hopeful. By focusing on the family,
…show more content…
Each section climaxes with a description of Gregory coming out of his bedroom into the dining room and then retreating back into his bedroom. Although the same basic scenario happens in each section, the family’s reaction changes significantly, where as Gregory’s reaction remains, more or less, the same. Therefore, each section provides unique evidence that the more significant metamorphosis is occurring in the rest of Gregory’s …show more content…
Following the apple incident, the family becomes more dutiful towards Gregory. For a short time, they allow him to share in their evening gatherings, at which he observes the family’s exhaustion, misery, and expressed concern regarding their financial issues. The Samsas conclude that Gregory is the hindrance to their moving forward literally and emotionally. It is this complete detachment from Gregory that completes the Samsas metamorphosis. This detachment is most evident in Meg. Meg has undergone a metamorphosis from a compliant and sympathetic teenager to a hardworking practical-minded young woman. Meg no longer continues to clean Gregory’s room, and the little food she provides him is given without any feeling of love. Meg insists that they must get rid of Gregory. Her denial is shown when she calls Gregory an “it” and locks him in his room.
My dear parents...we can’t go on like this... I refuse to utter my brother’s name in front of this creature, so all I say is: we must try to get rid of it… It has to go...It’s the only way, Father. You must just try to get out of the habit of thinking it’s Gregory... But how can it be Gregory? If it were, he would long ago have seen the impossibility of people living in the same house as such an animal and would have gone away of his own accord. (Kafka
Each section climaxes with a description of Gregory coming out of his bedroom into the dining room and then retreating back into his bedroom. Although the same basic scenario happens in each section, the family’s reaction changes significantly, where as Gregory’s reaction remains, more or less, the same. Therefore, each section provides unique evidence that the more significant metamorphosis is occurring in the rest of Gregory’s …show more content…
Following the apple incident, the family becomes more dutiful towards Gregory. For a short time, they allow him to share in their evening gatherings, at which he observes the family’s exhaustion, misery, and expressed concern regarding their financial issues. The Samsas conclude that Gregory is the hindrance to their moving forward literally and emotionally. It is this complete detachment from Gregory that completes the Samsas metamorphosis. This detachment is most evident in Meg. Meg has undergone a metamorphosis from a compliant and sympathetic teenager to a hardworking practical-minded young woman. Meg no longer continues to clean Gregory’s room, and the little food she provides him is given without any feeling of love. Meg insists that they must get rid of Gregory. Her denial is shown when she calls Gregory an “it” and locks him in his room.
My dear parents...we can’t go on like this... I refuse to utter my brother’s name in front of this creature, so all I say is: we must try to get rid of it… It has to go...It’s the only way, Father. You must just try to get out of the habit of thinking it’s Gregory... But how can it be Gregory? If it were, he would long ago have seen the impossibility of people living in the same house as such an animal and would have gone away of his own accord. (Kafka