The Metamorphosis

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The Metamorphosis

In "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kalka, there are many themes that speak louder then words. Gregor Samsa is whom the story is based on. He has been transformed into a giant insect. It is generally agreed, however, that the story portrays a world that is unfriendly and perhaps absurd and that major themes in the story include rejection, alienation and burden of responsibility (economic).
Rejection is felt in many parts of the story; in the opening lines Franz Kafkas’ short story “The Metamorphosis”, the main character Gregor Samsa a traveling salesman who lives with and supports his parents and little sister, awakens from a night of horrible dream to find that he has been metamorphosed into a cockroach he calls a “monstrous vermin” (short stories, page 156). . The rejection and fear of his family not being sympathetic to him, not wanting him apart of the family. George’s mother faints. His father beings to weep and the chef clerk only startled Aoh!@ AThat made his mother scream again, she fled from the fable and fell into the arms of his father, who hastened to catch her.@ (168). Moreover, he not only looks like a cockroach but his voice which sounds normal to him translates to others in the sound of a cockroach. Upon hearing this insect like sound and seeing Gregor as he now is the chief clerk leaves the Samsa’s house never to return taking not only Gregor’s job with him but all hopes of Gregor ever repaying the family debt. Once again rejection at play. “During the time that Gregor was forced to live out the remainder of his life in his now prison like room, many family matters occurs.”(Glatzer 54) “George’s father springs into action, grabbing a stick and a newspaper and herding Gregor back into his bedroom with prods and fierce hisses.”(Hughes) This was the man that he had once looked up to and worked thro out his life to help him. Nevertheless, he is rejecting him.

Before his m...