Is Gregor Samsa's Lack Of Alienation In The Metamorphosis
In Franz Kafka’s short story, “The Metamorphosis”, the main character, Gregor Samsa, is alienated by his family because he has turned into a monstrous verminous bug. Because of this, he is looked at differently by his family and considered not “one of their own.” Thus making this evident to the reader that Gregor’s alienation is caused by the family’s lack of empathy towards his situation.
When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning, he dreamed that he had turned into a verminous bug. Later as that dream became a reality, he was at first trying to hide his metamorphosis, but then later as his family found out about his new changes, his family disowned him for being different. One reason for this disownment from the family is the lack of empathy
provided by the family. An example of this can be found on pg. 167 when the author states, “In this overworked and exhausted family, who had time to worry any longer about Gregor?” This passage demonstrates that the family cares more about themselves and their possessions rather than the quality of their own son’s health. Because of this, Gregor feels alienated because of how he is treated as a whole person just because of a difference. This difference is evident when the author states on pg. 169, “Turning to his right, the father heaped reproaches on the mother that she was not to take over the cleaning of Gregor’s room from the sister and, turning to his left, he shouted at the sister that she would no longer be allowed to clean Gregor’s room ever again.” Here, the father does not want to have Gregor’s room cleaned by anyone in the house just because of the way he behaves. This evidence clearly demonstrates that Gregor’s alienation is caused by the lack of empathy from the family.
Others may suggest that Gregor’s alienation is caused by his appearance. Despite opposition, it is evident that it is not because of his appearance. The author states on pg. 169, “But even when the sister, exhausted from her daily work, had grown tired of caring for Gregor as she had before, even then the mother did not have to come at all on her behalf. And Gregor did not have to be neglected. For now the cleaning woman was there. This old widow, who in her long life must have managed to survive the worst with the help of her bony frame, had no real horror of Gregor.” This passage clearly illustrates that Gregor’s appearance is not quintessential to the reason that he is alienated. Even though the family do comment on his looks, they mainly don’t give him a chance for him to be his new self, and have a lack of empathy for who he is.
In conclusion, Gregor is alienated because his family disowns who he is and provides a lack of empathy for him. At the end of the text, Gregor dies and his family is at a lack of empathy. The author states, “They all returned, as if relieved, back into their apartment. They decided to pass that day resting and going for a stroll.” (pg. 178). Here, the family believes that they deserve a break, after all Gregor did for them financially and emotionally. Which ultimately proves that Gregor’s alienation was caused by a lack of empathy from others.
When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning, he dreamed that he had turned into a verminous bug. Later as that dream became a reality, he was at first trying to hide his metamorphosis, but then later as his family found out about his new changes, his family disowned him for being different. One reason for this disownment from the family is the lack of empathy
provided by the family. An example of this can be found on pg. 167 when the author states, “In this overworked and exhausted family, who had time to worry any longer about Gregor?” This passage demonstrates that the family cares more about themselves and their possessions rather than the quality of their own son’s health. Because of this, Gregor feels alienated because of how he is treated as a whole person just because of a difference. This difference is evident when the author states on pg. 169, “Turning to his right, the father heaped reproaches on the mother that she was not to take over the cleaning of Gregor’s room from the sister and, turning to his left, he shouted at the sister that she would no longer be allowed to clean Gregor’s room ever again.” Here, the father does not want to have Gregor’s room cleaned by anyone in the house just because of the way he behaves. This evidence clearly demonstrates that Gregor’s alienation is caused by the lack of empathy from the family.
Others may suggest that Gregor’s alienation is caused by his appearance. Despite opposition, it is evident that it is not because of his appearance. The author states on pg. 169, “But even when the sister, exhausted from her daily work, had grown tired of caring for Gregor as she had before, even then the mother did not have to come at all on her behalf. And Gregor did not have to be neglected. For now the cleaning woman was there. This old widow, who in her long life must have managed to survive the worst with the help of her bony frame, had no real horror of Gregor.” This passage clearly illustrates that Gregor’s appearance is not quintessential to the reason that he is alienated. Even though the family do comment on his looks, they mainly don’t give him a chance for him to be his new self, and have a lack of empathy for who he is.
In conclusion, Gregor is alienated because his family disowns who he is and provides a lack of empathy for him. At the end of the text, Gregor dies and his family is at a lack of empathy. The author states, “They all returned, as if relieved, back into their apartment. They decided to pass that day resting and going for a stroll.” (pg. 178). Here, the family believes that they deserve a break, after all Gregor did for them financially and emotionally. Which ultimately proves that Gregor’s alienation was caused by a lack of empathy from others.