Death In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

Death is ubiquitous, taking numerous manifestations and meanings. Whether it being the conclusion of a cycle or the genesis of another, there are many interpretations. In Franz Kafka’s 1915 novella The Metamorphosis, death is a paramount theme. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa is a traveling salesman who awakens one day as a giant insect. He then endures a series of abuse propagated mainly by his father, but which does not exclude his mother and sister, until his death one morning. The death of Gregor is a crucially symbolic theme in The Metamorphosis. Gregor’s death in The Metamorphosis symbolizes the termination of a period as well as the origination of a new chapter. In addition to that connotation, death in The Metamorphosis also symbolizes …show more content…
In spite of the fact that death is frequently negatively stigmatized, there is more than meets the eye. In the story, Gregor’s death, is in actuality, a light-hearted event rather than a dark and gloomy one. Having undergone a period of torturous events, his demise liberates him from his torment. Though his family has ostracized him and betrayed him, he feels nothing but warm love and understanding towards them in his final moments. Not only does Gregor’s death close a cycle for him but also for Gregor’s family. Gregor’s condition caused him to be a burden on his family. After Gregor’s passing, Gregor’s family, too, closed the cycle and acquired the opportunity to start anew. In The Metamorphosis, death is portrayed as liberation. Liberation from the burden of Gregor’s condition. For an extended period of time, the family had taken care of Gregor hesitantly and unwillingly, but took of him nonetheless. Not only was Gregor’s condition a hardship for himself but also put a strain on the family. Gregor’s condition had caused a division in the family dynamic and put the members under tremendous tension. Those who cared for Gregor, such as Grete and the [mother, and those who delivered the most