From one society to another, t... free essay sample

From one society to another, the value placed on individualism varies significantly. While some countries consider individualism very valuable for the advancement of society, others however, discourage this idea. In the American culture and modern society, we are often encouraged to be independent individuals. Such characteristics appear in Franz Kafka The Metamorphosis. Kafka begins the novel by recalling Gregors mysterious transformation into an insect. As the novel progresses, we notice that Gregor has not simply been transformed physically but also mentally. He falls into a state of isolation in his room from the outside world. Furthermore, the mental impact that Gregor suffers after this odd transformation causes him to often feel dehumanized. In The Metamorphosis Kafka introduces the central character, Gregor Famsa, in a very abnormal way, as he is waking up from troubled dreams and consequently realizing that he has been transformed into a monstrous insect (Kafka 3). Although Gregor acknowledges this odd transformation, he fails to accept the fact that something is wrong with him. We will write a custom essay sample on From one society to another, t or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Surprisingly, he does not question what has just happened to him, perhaps because he wanted to believe that it was simply part of a terrible dream. Gregors metamorphosis takes on a supernatural significance and even though the story never explains the reasons for his transformation. However, the fact that Gregor transforms into an insect tells us a lot about his character and reflects how he feels about himself. By all evidence, Gregor has always tried to support his family in every possible way. But we notice that he is not very pleased with his job as a traveling salesman. In the beginning of the story Gregor states that he has chosen an exhausting profession (Kafka 4). However Gregor accepts his role as the money-earner in the family and sacrifices himself at his job in order to financially support his family. Gregor gives priority to his job, even after he has been transformed. Later on in the story, we learn that Gregor is the only person in his family that contributes to the household . This illustrates that he has almost no decision over his life and the only reason why he does not leave his job is for his parents sake and because he was afraid of provoking his fathers fury (Kafka 4) (Kafka 16). Clearly, Gregor is not very committed to his personal life and was significantly influenced by the expectations of others. In the novel, Gregor feels like his familys existence depends on him. They expect him to provide financial support, so he feels the responsibility of looking after them even after he has transformed into an insect. It seems like his family does not see Gregor as a human but rather as an idea of financial stability. When they finally become more independent and see that Gregor can no longer give them the financial support they need they plan to get rid of him. (Kafka 41)The responses of various of the characters in The Metamorphosis add to Gregors state of isolation and individualism. They are usually unquestioning about Gregors transformation and most do not act particularly surprised. (The only exception to the characters responses is the Samsas maid whom begs the family to fire after the event). When Gregors father decides to rent part of his house to three lodgers, Gregor states that he has to be more considerate about others. In one occasion his family and the three lodgers are gather in the living room enjoying Gregors sister play the violin. Gregor tries to join them and as he is making himself closer to his family and the lodgers he ventures a bit further than usual (Kafka 38). Gregors life changed when he became an insect. In the beginning he was very considerate about others because he did not want to incomodate with his presence, especially his family. As a result of their rejection towards Gregor, he eventually becomes alienated from humanity. Furthermore, Gregor believed he had sufficient reasons to keep himself hidden away (Kafka 38). His family had abandoned him in his room and even though Gregor was still a member of their family, they did not consider him a human being anymore. Therefore, in order to avoid any conflicts the best thing to do was to be as isolated as possible from everything and everyone. Additionally, Gregor does not only find himself trapped inside his own body but also in the small apartment were the story takes place. The apartment underlies the themes of isolation and confinement on a number of levels. Not even as human was Gregor able to establish relationships with other people. Now that he had become an insect he felt like he did not belong with anyone. Gregors metamorphosis marked him as an individual and created a sense of isolation and disconnection within himself and the outside world as well. But even inside the apartment Gregor could not be completely free.Kafkas writing style is very unique and interesting to study and in this particular story it helps to emphasize the themes that are portrayed through the life of Gregor. The author describes the dark reality of Gregors complex world through a common term called kafkaesque. Franz Kafka uses this term in various of his literary works, which are mainly based on a person being tormented usually by work matters; this is the case of Gregor Famsa. In The Metamorphosis the novel opens by describing Gregors odd transformation into an insect and how he finds himself trapped by unknown forces and fears in his own body. As the story progresses, we see how he becomes alienated from humanity. At this point, there is not any type of communication with anyone and his family starts excluding him. Eventually. all of these events cause Gregor to become weaker and die. Throughout his work, Kafka dramatizices Gregors world as depicted by kafkaesque alienation. We see that Gregors sense of individualism and isolation appear even before his transformation. Several factors contribute to a state of loneliness which Gregor develops throughout the story. This causes him to isolate from his family and the rest of humanity even before the mysterious transformation into an insect. Even after he has transformed into a giant insect he is not able to find a state of happiness. This probably causes Gregor to suffer even more than when he was actually a human. Despite the physical transformation, Gregor changes very little as a character over the course of The Metamorphosis. Both as men and insect Gregor accepts the hardships he faces without complaint. Although Gregors transformation could be seen as a form of escape to reveal his own personality he still struggles to be a part of the world around him. Because Gregor feels dehumanized even before the transformation from human to bug, he is never able to fully join the society around him.