The Role Of Family In Frank Kafka's Metamorphosis

Words: 870
Pages: 4
Open Document
In Frank Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Gregor, the main character wakes up one morning as a gigantic insect. Gregor is the one who provides for the family and he is paying off their debts. However, it is ironic how such a hard worker turns into a hideous insect. Gregor is the one sacrificing his freedom and time to provide for his family but his family neglects and isolates him after his transformation into an insect. Regardless of how this is interpreted, it has a deep philosophical meaning. In writing this, Kafka is emphasizing how family ties are not always strong because the change of one person’s identity could result in the metamorphosis of the entire family and in Gregor’s case it could result in separation from family.
The metamorphosis of …show more content…
In the story, it says, “But another following immediately landed right on his back and sank in … incredible pain could be left behind...” The apple thrown by Gregor’s father sinks into Gregor’s back and it stays there. Then days later the apple starts to rot. Here, the apple represents the relationship between Gregor and his father. Similarly, Gregor’s relationship with his father is breaking apart. This shows how the relationship was only bonded by the money that Gregor was providing to the family meaning that it wasn’t based on their similarities and friendship. In addition, when Gregor says that the apple hurt his body, it shows how the relationship is really bad now because it shows the pain from the neglect and disrespect towards him. Gregor says, “‘How these lodgers are stuffing themselves, and here I am dying of starvation!’” They don’t even care about Gregor, and the lodgers, who are strangers, seem to be more important. The relationship with his father illustrates that before he turned into an insect, Gregor was only a servant, but now he is neglected just because he has a different body and can’t provide for the family
Show More

Related Documents: The Role Of Family In Frank Kafka's Metamorphosis

Meta: The Metamorphosis and Gregor Essay

In the metamorphosis by Frank Kafka, there are significants actions and transformations which make the story sad, and strange with a happy ending. Explanations that are dramatic events that intensify the excitement of all these actions. Reality and refection play and important role in this story because the events that happened could be applied and assimilated with modern society. The story is very sad and realistic, some of the things that are related in Kafka's story can be found in modern families…

Words 843 - Pages 4