Analysis Of The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

Often times, a son may be forced or obligated to do something for their family that doesn’t benefit them. The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, explores Gregor’s role as a provider in the Samsa family, and how this role inhibits his progress and freedom. This novella demonstrates how people are unknowingly trapped in situations that they have no control over. In Gregor’s case, he remains trapped as a traveling salesman, a job which he dislikes, due to his lack of agency regarding family obligations and movement. Only after his metamorphosis does Gregor realize that his freedom and quality of life have been impeded by his family obligations and lack of movement.
Gregor’s obligations to his family result in his inextricable role as a provider for

In the context of The Metamorphosis, movement is synonymous with freedom. As mentioned, Gregor’s family obligations trap him. Combined with these obligations, his job severely limits Gregor’s potential for social advancement. His lack of agency over his role in the family explains Gregor is trapped in this job. Although he travels for a living, his movement is very limited. Gregor’s has no control over his work schedule, which is dictated “the trouble of constant traveling, [and] of worrying about train connections” (54). As a result of this strict schedule, he suffers from “irregular meals, [and] casual acquaintances that are always new and never become intimate friends” (54). This job restricts Gregor to a life of minimal figurative movement (social and economic). However, he fails to acknowledge the correlation between his job and family obligations, which work together to limit his

Because we, and Gregor, have no control of the means that confine us, there is no escape. Furthermore, when we become aware of the perpetual circumstances that confine us, it’s almost always too late. After his metamorphosis, once Gregor becomes aware of the physical boundaries and limitations, it becomes evident that the only escape is death. For this reason, Gregor starves himself. Gregor is caught in the same trap as before; however, now the obstacles that confine Gregor after his metamorphosis are physical manifestations of the figurative obstacles that once trapped him. What was once a lack of social mobility and opportunity pre-metamorphosis is now represented as a lack of physical movement for Gregor. Moreover, Gregor is still subject to family obligations. As a giant bug, he is expected to stay out of sight to spare the family, just as he was expected to pay back the debt to spare the family. However, as mentioned, now the family obligation also has some physical aspect to it. If Gregor doesn’t abide by his new obligations, he is met with violence or physical threats. When his father sees Gregor outside of his room, he “fill[s] his pockets with fruit” (90) and begins to “bombard” (90) him with apples. Eventually, one of the apples becomes stuck in Gregor’s back, which “disable[s] him for more than a month” (91). This apple can be