Strained Relationships between Father and Son
Have you ever questioned your own identity to the point where you ask yourself a multitude of questions? “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka raises countless questions in the wake of transformation and the perception of belonging and non-belonging. Nonetheless, the tale of the unfortunate Gregor Samsa makes us think more deeply about his identity, and how it parallels to the author Franz Kafka. The novella “The Metamorphosis” written by Franz Kafka is about a young man named Gregor Samsa who turned into an insect and the troubling life he lead due to this transformation. Gregor Samsa, who is the main character, is modified physically, emotionally and mentally and he changes his outlook toward himself.
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When looking at Franz Kafka and Gregor Samsa in “The Metamorphosis” many will see some very close ties between the two, such as issues with their family, particularly their father. It can be said that “The Metamorphosis” is a reflection of the author Franz Kafka’s real life issues with his father. Kafka, an astonishing author, reflects his reality into “The Metamorphosis” and also shows a peak of his identity who he really was and what he had to deal with through his work. The many encounters Gregor has with his father, while as an insect were never pleasant. For example, his father tries to kill him by throwing apples at him and his mother has to beg for his life to be spared, “From the fruit bowl on the sideboard his father had filled his pockets, and now, without for the moment taking accurate aim, was throwing apple after apple.” (Kafka, 64) The apple is symbolizing the object to lead Gregor to his death. One of the apples lodges into his back injuring him quite seriously. From this point on, physically he is less able to function and can no longer do a lot for himself, marking the start of his long demise which results in his inevitable death. His father was always pushing or poking him to get back in the lonely room when he is trying to help his family to understand him. His father does not understand him and they isolate him in his room, becoming