In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa is
alienated at work
and at home, but when he suddenly becomes an insect, his family decides the situation is too much to bear. Gregor's metamorphosis causes him to be physically separated from his family, but he has actually been alienated from his family all along.
What are the causes of Gregor Samsa's alienation and isolation in the metamorphosis?
Gregor is never recognized by his family for his efforts, but is instead taken for granted. The moment he becomes a bug, his family begins to realize that they could no longer rely on him for support. Due
to Gregor's loss of usefulness and his hideous outer appearance
, it leads to isolation and alienation.
What does Gregor do for his family?
Before his metamorphosis, Gregor is the only working family member. His job as
a salesman supports the family financially
, and Gregor takes his role seriously. He often sacrifices so his family can be comfortable, although he does sometimes feel slighted (meaning he doesn't think his family appreciates him enough).
Does Gregor hate his family?
Gregor Samsa's relationship with
his family changes drastically after his transformation
. The formerly dutiful, obedient young man still loves his father, mother, and sister, but they are horrified by him. Whereas he had once been the sole family breadwinner, now he can no longer work.
Why does Gregor hide under the sofa?
When Gregor climbs under the couch, he does so in order to spare his family the pain of having to see him. His hiding, however, is
an escapist move
. It was escapism that seems to have brought on his metamorphosis, allowing him to find freedom from work.
Why did Gregor turn into a bug?
The Metamorphosis implies that Gregor Samsa was transformed into an insect
because he felt as worthless as an insect, since his life as a worker dehumanized him
. He does die. A good thesis could examine whether Gregor could have escaped his fate by being less passive about his life.
How does Gregor's family members handle Gregor's death?
After Gregor dies in pain and completely isolated,
his family does not mourn his passing
. In fact, they do the opposite: they experience immense relief, as though a burden has been lifted from their collective shoulders. Mr. Samsa even thanks God that his son is dead.
Is Gregor Samsa in love with his sister?
Once a
close and loving
relationship between Gregor and his sister, their bond slowly erodes over time as she grows older and the family matters continually worsen on account of Gregor's metamorphosed appearance. … She becomes less sensitive in her actions when attending to Gregor's “den” as it is now referred to.
How does Gregor's father react to not seeing Gregor?
When Gregor's father first sees him,
he has a “hostile expression” on his face
. He “clenched his fist, as if to drive Gregor back into the room, then looked uncertainly around the living room, shielded his eyes with his hands, and sobbed with heaves of his powerful chest.” The scene, of course, is utterly tumultuous.
How does Gregor's father usually has breakfast?
Describe how Gregor's father usually has breakfast.
He sits at the table for hours because it is his most important meal
. He would sit and read newspapers. … He shoves him because he is violent with his son (“father's fists”) and he is trying to corner Gregor back into his room.
Who begs to spare Gregor's life at the end of chapter 2?
Samsa
begs her husband to spare Gregor's life. How has the balance of power in the Samsa household changed by the end of Part 2? Now that Mr.
Why does Gregor not quit his job if he hates it?
Gregor worked as a traveling salesman and he never had really liked his job. The only reason he kept it
was to pay off his father's debts
.
Who was not scared of Gregor?
The cleaning woman
becomes the only character that isn't afraid of Gregor's transformation and even attempts to play with him. The text states that “This old widow, whose strong bony frame had enable her to survive the worst a long life can offer, had no real horror of Gregory” (57).
Did Gregor really turn into a bug?
Despite his complete physical transformation into an insect at the beginning of the story,
Gregor changes very little as a character over
the course of The Metamorphosis. Most notably, both as a man and as an insect Gregor patiently accepts the hardships he faces without complaint.
Who turned Gregor into a bug?
Kafka
choose the form of a bug for “The Metamorphosis” because of the perception that a bug is perceived as a mindless systematic creature, a metaphor for the way Gregor lives his life, and acts in society. This is brought to light through Gregor's transformation into a bug.
Does Gregor turn back to human?
Since Gregor no longer looks human, his father resists contact with his son and prevents him from interacting with anyone else.
Gregor has transformed from a human
, no matter how ill respected, into a worthless insect, isolated and kept away from reality and the outside world.
