Franz Kafkas Novella, The Metamorphosis Essay - 1199 Words

One of the saddest aspects of Franz Kafkas novella, The Metamorphosis, concerns the fact that young Gregor Samsa genuinely cares about this family, working hard to support them, even though they do little for themselves. On the surface, Kafkas 1916 novella, seems to be just a tale of Gregor morphing into a cockroach, but, a closer reading with Marx and Engels economic theories in mind, reveals an imposing metaphor that gives the improbable story a great deal of relevance to the structure of Marxist society. Samsa, the protagonist, signifies the proletariat, or the working class, and his unnamed manager represents the bourgeoisie. The conflict that arises between the two after Gregors metamorphosis renders him unable to work†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"If I didnt hold back from my parents sake, I would have quit long ago†(Kafka 4). It is only economic necessity that keeps him going to work everyday. Conflicts exists in Gregors life between his human desire to work f or his own direct benefit and the economic demands that alienate him from his labor by forcing him to work for someone else. The imagery of Gregor transforming into giant insect signifies his familys view of Gregor as a lowly, despicable thing. This has the effect of better helping the audience understand why the family treats Gregor so poorly. Gregor was merely a tool the family uses to survive. From the opening of The Metamorphosis, Gregors character depicts him as somewhat pathetic. Gregors enslavement by his family, portrays him, but as a family member, but as a source of income. The first to abandon Gregor was the manager, the bourgeoisie. According to Marx and Engels, the bourgeoisie has resolved personal worth into exchange value. Alone in his room, Gregor tries to rebuild the self-identity that he has lost by living entirely for others and ignoring his own needs. However, he can not escape what he sees as his family duty, and continues to act only to serve his family by do ing his best not to inconvenience them. Gregors metamorphosis from man to cockroach represents his â€Å"judgment on himself by his defeatedShow MoreRelatedThe Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka1147 Words   |  5 PagesPaul Kim Professor Teresa McCarty AP Language 27 October 2015 The Metamorphosis Franz Kafka led a life filled with struggles, particularly evident in his relationship with his father. His experiences and feelings in life are manifested throughout his writings, as the themes in his life dominate the themes of his works, especially so in his novella, The Metamorphosis. Through his extended metaphor of Samsa as a vermin, Kafka illustrates the family dynamic present throughout his life, that of his familyRead MoreThe Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka1380 Words   |  6 PagesEssay: â€Å"I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. 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