The Metamorphosis
Question # 1: What leads to Gregor’s alienation in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”?
Title: Causes of Gregor’s alienation in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
In the novel by Franz Kafka, “The Metamorphosis” one could say that there are many causes which leads to Gregor Samsa’s alienation. In examining Gregor’s alienation one has to review causes both before and after his metamorphosis. One has to note that Gregor could only be alienated by his family because he had no friends or significant other. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis the primary reason for his alienation was his job as a traveling salesman and the unfulfilling work schedule he had to maintain. After his metamorphosis Gregor’s physical appearance ultimately leads him to be isolated and alienated from his family. Although there are many reasons for Gregor’s alienation, his lifestyle and dedication to his family leads to his alienation and tragic demise. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis he worked constantly as a traveling salesman to pay off his parents debts. Gregor mentions that he receives no satisfaction from work. In the novel he talks about how he hates traveling so much and always dealing with new people and never being able to form attachments. Gregor also talks about his employer and their lack of appreciation for him and what he does for their company. This job caused Gregor’s family to alienate him, as he was the outcast. Never being home and always working put him as a social outcast within his own home. The irony in this alienation is that Gregor did exactly what his family wanted him to do and was still alienated from them. After his metamorphosis, Gregor’s physical appearance was so unbearable that he went into total isolation. His metamorphosis into some sort of insect caused his family to alienate him even more than they did originally. Gregor is described as having insect legs as well as many other insect like features, losing his ability to speak, being unable to move at first and then
Title: Causes of Gregor’s alienation in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
In the novel by Franz Kafka, “The Metamorphosis” one could say that there are many causes which leads to Gregor Samsa’s alienation. In examining Gregor’s alienation one has to review causes both before and after his metamorphosis. One has to note that Gregor could only be alienated by his family because he had no friends or significant other. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis the primary reason for his alienation was his job as a traveling salesman and the unfulfilling work schedule he had to maintain. After his metamorphosis Gregor’s physical appearance ultimately leads him to be isolated and alienated from his family. Although there are many reasons for Gregor’s alienation, his lifestyle and dedication to his family leads to his alienation and tragic demise. Before Gregor’s metamorphosis he worked constantly as a traveling salesman to pay off his parents debts. Gregor mentions that he receives no satisfaction from work. In the novel he talks about how he hates traveling so much and always dealing with new people and never being able to form attachments. Gregor also talks about his employer and their lack of appreciation for him and what he does for their company. This job caused Gregor’s family to alienate him, as he was the outcast. Never being home and always working put him as a social outcast within his own home. The irony in this alienation is that Gregor did exactly what his family wanted him to do and was still alienated from them. After his metamorphosis, Gregor’s physical appearance was so unbearable that he went into total isolation. His metamorphosis into some sort of insect caused his family to alienate him even more than they did originally. Gregor is described as having insect legs as well as many other insect like features, losing his ability to speak, being unable to move at first and then