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What, Is Gregor Samsa's Transformation Literal, Figurative, Or Both?

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1. What circumstances in Gregor’s life have caused him to feel dehumanized even before The Metamorphosis took place? Because of his monotonous job as a traveling salesman, which kept him away from home for extended periods of time, Gregor Samsa felt alienated. He didn't have a social life, no friends, and no interesting and fun hobbies, so he felt like a cog in a machine. 2. According to the literary coordinates of the piece, is Gregor Samsa’s transformation literal, figurative, or both? Explain. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa's transformation can be interpreted both literally and figuratively. While the transformation is a physical transformation that turns him into an insect, it also represents his alienation from society, his family, …show more content…

Isolation The theme of isolation is central to The Metamorphosis. After his transformation, the main character, Gregor, feels completely cut off from the rest of the world. This is still a relevant experience today, as many people feel isolated and lonely. The narrator writes, "Gregor settled himself under the couch with a sigh, assuming that he would be able to stay hidden there" (Kafka 15). This quote symbolizes Gregor's retreat from the world and his pursuit of solitude. This is similar to how many people today seek solace in social media or other virtual spaces. Identity Another major theme in The Metamorphosis is identity. Gregor's transformation fundamentally alters who he is and calls his sense of self into question. "He was a boss's tool, lacking brains and backbone," the narrator says (Kafka 3). This quote emphasizes the connection between Gregor's identity and how his employer perceives him. This is still true today, as many people struggle to define themselves outside of their jobs or societal roles. Societal

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Gregor's Transformation Rhetorical Analysis

233 Words | 1 Pages

Gregor’s initial reaction to his transformation shows his preoccupation with work. His confusion over his radical transformation does not last long, quickly becoming concerned with work and disregarding that he woke up physically transformed into a monstrous vermin. Immediately after realizing he had transformed, Gregor explains, “Well, I haven’t given up hope completely; once I’ve gotten the money together to pay off my parents’ debt to [the boss] that will probably take another five to six years… But for the time being I’d better get up, since my train leaves at five” (4). The quick transition of Gregor’s thoughts from the initial shock to his economic duties reveals his ironic nonchalant attitude towards his nonsensical transformation and

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Mr. Samsa In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

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1. Almost from the very beginning of Gregor’s metamorphosis, Mr. Samsa has been unwilling to accept Gregor as his son. Furthermore, Gregor’s transformation into an offensive form of an insect, constantly reminds Mr. Samsa of the grotesque, feeble, and pathetic aberration that he has fathered. Consequently, now that Gregor has genuinely revealed himself in all his audacious behavior, his cruel father is driven to destroy him. In his eyes, Gregor has become everything loathsome to him—scrawny, parasitic, and futile—not the kind of son this once successful and ambitious storekeeper could be proud of.

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How Did Gregor Samsa Change Throughout The Metamorphosis

484 Words | 2 Pages

This change has long since happened but is in full affect more than ever since the transmutation. Overall Gregor has changed both physically and emotionally. He was mutated into a giant bug at the beginning of the novella. His emotional connection changed between his parents for the worst. The spark between them has faded as the money Gregor made grew.

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In the "Metamorphosis" Kafka uses metaphors to show several ways that public shaming can lead to the harm of one’s self-esteem; eventually leading to complete isolation. Throughout the story Gregor was isolated from his social life, his family life, and his professional life. The amount of shame that Gregor encountered also led to the lack of communication between him and the members of his family. Although Gregor experienced extreme isolation and self-hate due to public shame, he is one of many people who deal with the pressure of society on a daily basis. The amount of shame and doubt is experienced by people in our society every day and has become somewhat of a norm.

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1047 Words | 5 Pages

Gregor Samsa’s transition from human to vermin was not the only shift that happened through the duration of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. The novel is centered around Gregor who wakes up as a vermin, presumably a cockroach, which catalyses a series of emotionally traumatic experiences for him and his family, culminating in Gregor’s death. Yet the most significant change is, in fact, the gender role reversal seen both with Gregor and Grete, his sister, as Gregor becomes more effeminate and Grete becomes more emasculate, directly correlating with their societal and emotional transformation due to Gregor's physical change. From the moment, Gregor wakes up he has transformed. But not just as a vermin.

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Initially, this is a story about the metamorphosis of Gregor - a transformation from a human to a beetle. However, what we really see is a metamorphosis of the family unit. In the beginning, we see a family who is strained under debt and apathetic towards this problem. And at the end, each member of the family begins to take initiatives to work and to change.

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1936 Words | 8 Pages

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