The common theme in both Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky is isolationism. Both of these literary works contain different examples of isolationism in order to convey the same concept. Seclusion exists in both novels, resulting in the direct flaw of each of the main characters. The difference that Kafka and Dostoyevsky present in their use of isolationism in Metamorphosis and Notes from Underground is how each character is secluded. Kafka writes about the progressive solitude of one character being forced into isolation by others. On the other hand, Dostoyevsky's entire novel is about the Underground Man, who lives all by his lonesome and is forced to look back on his youthful experiences. These frequent occurrences have lead to the Underground Man's solitude. However, in both novels, the end results of the main characters in Metamorphosis and Notes from Underground are similar because both individuals' actions lead to their own demise.
At the beginning of novel, Metamorphosis, Kafka introduces the main character, Gregor Samsa. After waking up to find "himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect", Gregor can only think of the repercussions he will suffer for…show more content… In these two novels, the solitary state of both characters leads to their downfall. In both of these examples, isolation leads to the demise of the main characters, Gregor Samsa and the Underground Man, even though the motives and basis's were different. Gregor crawls his own life away because of the pain of being secluded by his own family members. On the contrary, the Underground Man never truly lives his life because of the distain he has for himself and society. The Underground Man hides his personality and beliefs because he fears society's judgment and ridicule. The isolation that both characters endure leads to their own
