The Metamorphosis: Kafka's Connection with Gregor

In Franz Kafkas, “The Metamorphosis”, character, Gregor, represents, Kafka himself by symbolizing, how he was raised, his family, and his spiritual death. Just as Gregor did, Kafka had a rough relationship with his father. In 1911 Kafkas father pressured him to open asbestos factory, even through Kafka’s hated and believed he was wasting his time on this endeavor, he tried to please his father. This is represented in the book as Gregor’s attempt to provide for his family and father by taking the grueling traveling sales job he hates, in order to pay for his families previous debts he wasn’t even a part of. In the book Gregor stayed at his dreadful job, in an effort to prove his loyalty and worth to his family. Just as Gregor Kafka tried to prove himself, by educated himself more and more, by getting multiple jobs, and hiding from his true passion, writing, hoping that his worth may be measured. Another similarity shown was Kafka closeness to his sister, as was Gregor in the book. Grete was the only one of the family that would bear to see his hideous form; in order to make sure Gregor was eating. In the end Kafka died a slow death from tubercrulosis, still failing to fully please everyone. This is represented in Gregors death by, Gregor’s realization he was incapable of helping and becoming a burden on his family, he choose to die rather than live with the guilt and frustration. Kafka’s noticeable similarities give the piece a more realistic tone rather than just a made up story about a big bug.