Allusions In Metamorphosis

Within Franz Kafka’s novel The Metamorphosis, a subsequent meaning for the unusual predicament of Gregor Samsa is considerably enhanced throughout the frequent use of allusions and symbolism. Throughout Kafka’s work, he seems to attribute each realistic physicality with some unrealistic spiritual relevance; thus, “Gregor’s physical transformation, then, stands for a spiritual transformation” (Holland). Kafka illuminates this idea as Samsa first remains rational in his thoughts and his desires despite his physical appearance, but later turns much more aggressive in his thoughts and actions, revealing more of that of an animal rather than a human. In some way, Samsa’s spiritual transformation is even more horrific than his physical transformation

Essentially, he was paying off his parents’ debts – a symbol of original sin or guilt. Once the Samsa family realized Gregor was no longer present to provide for their needs, they became angry with Gregor; thus, the significance of Gregor’s work shifted from being a complementary “self-sacrifice” action to some form of an expectation. Holland further supports this fact by reiterating it was “only after he has expiated the sin-debt can he ‘take the big step’ toward freedom.” Kafka additionally intensifies spirituality in the novel by composing Gregor’s transformation from man into an atrocious cockroach to directly correspond with the passion of Christ. Moreover, proof of this biblical allusion is supported throughout a great number of similar circumstances occurring in each figure’s lives. For instance, Gregor’s transformation is an example of the conversion of man to animal, which ultimately supports God’s conversion as he left his divine nature to accomplish his task of salvation in human

But the very next one that came flying after it literally [pierced his flesh]; Gregor tried to drag himself away, as if the startling, unbelievable pain might disappear with a change of place; but he felt nailed to the spot and stretched out his body in a complete confusion of all his senses” (Kafka 39).

Thus, the apple thrown at Gregor is symbolic of the specific apple in the Garden of Eden that exposed all mankind to the dismay of original sin. In a similar manner, Jesus’ death included the fact that he was nailed to a cross, and unable to move as one pierced his flesh with a knife. Furthermore, it was original sin, too, that was to blame for Christ’s death, as his mission was to gain salvation for the rest of humanity. Ultimately, Gregor’s entire life “strongly resembles that prophesied by Isaiah [of Christ]” (Holland), as the Bible states,
"His visage was so marred more than any man … and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken … But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities" (Is.