Metamorphosis Figurative Language Essay

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In this essay the text “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka will be analyzed. This text was written by Franz Kafka and was originally published in 1915. Kafka (1883-1924) was born in Prague, the capital of Bohemia, a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Kafka spoke German and was raised in a middle-class Jewish family. He was the oldest of six children and also the only boy. Kafka was abused by his father, Herman. His father was driven to beat Kafka after his passion for wanting Kafka to become a businessman instead of a writer. The main character in the text, Gregor Samsa, his father also showed a violent nature. Both Herman and Gregor’s father experienced the same disappointment in their sons.
A genre identified in this story is absurdist fiction. Absurdist fiction is focused on the experiences of characters in a situation where they cannot find any inherent purpose in life, most often represented by meaning less
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Extended metaphor is shown during the process of Gregor going from a primary caretaker for his family to becoming a dependent. “He thought back on his family with deep emotion and love.” (Kafka pg.51), this shows Gregor’s shame and dissatisfied feelings. Irony is shown when Gregor’s room is locked, and everybody wants to come in, but when his form is revealed he is then separated from his family. “Of course these were no longer the animated conversations of the old days…” (Kafka pg.38), this quote is describing the relationship before and after the transformation. Symbolism is used to point out one of the themes in the text. The picture of the woman on the wall is an example of symbolism. Gregor cut the picture out of a magazine, thus giving the readers a sense that he is lonely and isolated. This is quoted in the text as, “- hung the picture of which he had recently cut out of a glossy magazine and lodged in a pretty gilt frame.” (Kafka