Examples Of Isolation In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka’s, The Metamorphosis, reflects the difficulties Kafka endures throughout his life that lead to his isolation as a result of being insecure about his repulsive appearance, having a poor relationship with his father, and being socially awkward to the point in which he isolates himself. Kafka’s insecurities about his appearance ends up creating a burden on his life which lead to his alienation from society. The author creates Gregor Samsa in order to not only reflect how Kafka views himself, but how his parents view him. Kafka creates Gregor as a beetle to reflect the hideous features that he despises in himself. Both of their fathers abhor them because neither of them are a reflection of his perfect child. Kafka’s father hoped he

Both are viewed as antisocial and awkward because of the events they endure throughout their lives. They are isolated from those around them because nobody wants to accept them for who they are. Kafka uses Gregor to reflect the “difficulties of living in a modern society and the struggle for acceptance” (http://www.kafka.org/index.php?aid=218). Neither Gregor nor Kafka can relate to those around them. Nobody in Gregor’s family is a beetle, and nobody in Kafka’s family is despised by their father as much as Franz is. They are not accepted by society so they become isolated because nobody relates to them. In the novel, Samsa watches his family eat without him because they do not accept him for the way that he looks. Gregor looks through his door and “he can see the whole family sitting at the table under the lamp and could listen to their conversation” (Kafka 38). Nobody in the family realizes that he is watching them because he is not their main priority, and nobody cares to shut Gregor’s door so they can avoid his appearance because of this. Gregor is constantly isolated in his room, but to cope with this, he enjoys looking out the window. Kafka, too, has a method to deal with his isolation, and this is by writing. Franz uses writing as a get-away from society, while looking out the window has the same affect for Gregor. They both learn how to deal with their alienation, and discover new ways on how to cope with it. Gregor starts to get used to his body and “his metamorphosis enables him to experience new modes of pleasure as well” (Kafka 80). Gregor’s pleasures include; eating rotten foods and climbing up walls. This makes his family despise him even more. He becomes even more secluded in his room, but he entertains himself by doing pointless activities. Kafka’s works bring him little fame, but it is how he copes with being awkward. Being socially accepted is