Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

528 Words3 Pages
Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is centered around the notion of essence versus appearance. Gregor Samsa’s transformation into an enormous bug is an example of the uncanny, combined with his family’s alienation towards his grotesque appearance, provides the framework for Kafka’s perception of an absurd lifestyle. Gregor and Grete’s transfer of responsibility in the story has a unique essence versus appearance relationship, this ultimately contributes to the transformation of the Samsa family. For example, at work Gregor is constantly dehumanized. The morning of the transformation the chief clerk makes a trip to the Samsa household and shouts, “Now, however, I see your incomprehensible stubbornness here and I am losing all willingness to say