Perception in the metamorphosis
The role of perception in Gregor Samsa's identity crisis (Question 2)
"Tabula Rasa"- the theory that individuals are born without essence and are shaped by knowledge and perception- is quite dubious. To what extent does the fact that multiple perceptions of a human being exist affect their identity? German-language writer Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphosis" and one of it's themes of the struggle to define one's identity answers some of these questions. Published in 1915, this story is a fictitious account of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa's transformation into a gigantic bug and the series of events which occur as he and those around him attempt to adjust to this outrageous transmutation. Throughout the novella, we see Samsa dealing with the crisis between his "animal" and "human" self, and struggling to understand which one dominates his exterior impression. This dilemma is further aggravated by his family's perception of him, and his conflicting perceptions of himself. Also continuously at play is how the readers perceive the story. The novella explores the question of whether we are purely existential beings, or not, through various underlying events. Metamorphosis symbolizes the change that occurs in the way we are perceived by the people around us. Self perception is an important idea dealt with in the novella. How Samsa views himself plays a huge role in his metamorphosis into a "monstrous vermin’ (Kafka 1). In fact, it is emphasized throughout the first chapter how little Samsa is bothered by his new self, and that he is determined to continue with his, almost mechanical, daily life. Trivial matters such as the weather seemed to affect him more than his failed attempt to leave his own bed. From this we can draw an important idea: Samsa's mental decline began prior to his metamorphosis, due to him continuously striving to serve his family and pay back their debts. His need to provide for them led to his mechanical life, thus alienating
"Tabula Rasa"- the theory that individuals are born without essence and are shaped by knowledge and perception- is quite dubious. To what extent does the fact that multiple perceptions of a human being exist affect their identity? German-language writer Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphosis" and one of it's themes of the struggle to define one's identity answers some of these questions. Published in 1915, this story is a fictitious account of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa's transformation into a gigantic bug and the series of events which occur as he and those around him attempt to adjust to this outrageous transmutation. Throughout the novella, we see Samsa dealing with the crisis between his "animal" and "human" self, and struggling to understand which one dominates his exterior impression. This dilemma is further aggravated by his family's perception of him, and his conflicting perceptions of himself. Also continuously at play is how the readers perceive the story. The novella explores the question of whether we are purely existential beings, or not, through various underlying events. Metamorphosis symbolizes the change that occurs in the way we are perceived by the people around us. Self perception is an important idea dealt with in the novella. How Samsa views himself plays a huge role in his metamorphosis into a "monstrous vermin’ (Kafka 1). In fact, it is emphasized throughout the first chapter how little Samsa is bothered by his new self, and that he is determined to continue with his, almost mechanical, daily life. Trivial matters such as the weather seemed to affect him more than his failed attempt to leave his own bed. From this we can draw an important idea: Samsa's mental decline began prior to his metamorphosis, due to him continuously striving to serve his family and pay back their debts. His need to provide for them led to his mechanical life, thus alienating