The Significance of the Contrast between closeness and alienation in Metamorphosis The closeness in space and the alienation of relationship between Gregor and his family are shown at the same time in the story. Gregor’s room is set between his parents’ and his sister’s. In addition, except for the main door, his room has two more doors that each connects to one of their rooms. The doors provide all the family members with accessibility to Gregor's room, which is depicted directly when Gregor's father, mother, and sister knock on different doors to ask why he is late for work. According to the house’s structure and the doors, Gregor seems to be the centre of his family. However, while the doors are used to signify communication and closeness, they are also used to refer to prohibition or separation. Gregor has the habit of “lock[ing] all doors at nights, even in his home”; and …show more content…
Even though the house structure and multiple doors are meant to make people feel close to each other, all of the people have the same attempt to keep a distance. This contrast is ironic. The closeness in space does not necessarily mean that people within are close to each other; they may take actions to maintain their comfort zone, just like what Gregor and his family members do. More importantly, the contrast shows a false communication between Gregor and his family. Although Gregor seems to keep a close relationship with his family because he works so hard to support his family, sacrificing and compromising a lot in his job, he doesn't receive understanding from his family. This is proved when Gregor dies, his family prefer to find another house because they think that the house is too big for them. Their leaving from the house, which is