How Does The Metamorphosis Existentialism

Existentialism In The Stranger and The Metamorphosis

Have you ever contemplated whether or not your life, or even life in general, has meaning or purpose? Have you ever wondered why we are here or why we have responsibilities or even why we think of things as we do? This series of questions that an individual might ask in his or her own mind all point to a philosophy known as existentialism. Existentialism explores the uselessness of the human’s responsibility to make choices, perform actions, and accept the consequences of both their choices and actions. In other words, it explores the uselessness of reality. Existentialism is present in The Stranger by Albert Camus and The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. It is present in these books
This theme is more relevant in The Metamorphosis than in The Stranger. In The Metamorphosis, the Samsas’ treatment of Gregor differs from before and after his transformation. Hints of Gregor’s life before his transformation are scattered through the story, but it can be said that Gregor used to be respected by his family since he was the main provider. After his transformation, however, the Samsas treat Gregor like a dangerous animal, regardless of the fact that he is only a harmless beetle and not a more dangerous insect like a mosquito or wasp. This is best illustrated in the opening scene where the Samsas and the office manager first see the newly transformed Gregor. The manager flees the apartment because he is simply too terrified, while Mr. Samsa forces Gregor back into his bedroom with his cane and rolled up newspaper. The Samsas and the office manager react in the way they do because they see Gregor’s new form as foreign. From this part of the story onward to the end, the Samsas do everything they can to isolate Gregor from society because of his terrifying appearance. As for The Stranger, Meursault’s isolation from society is not as obvious, but he is isolated in some way. The theme of alienation in The Stranger does not come into play until the scene where Meursault is tried for the murder of the Arab. The prosecutor addresses the entire courtroom, saying what he believes they can conclude from examining Meursault. He says, “But here in this court the wholly negative virtue of tolerance must give way to the sterner but loftier virtue of justice. Especially when the emptiness of a man’s heart becomes,...an abyss threatening to swallow up society.” So, while it is not that obvious, it can be concluded that society alienates Meursault because they see his indifference as a threat, being that it might have triggered him to murder the Arab. Before closing this argument, I would like to