Alienation from Society

Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is a story of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a beetle.  His family is disgusted by him and treats him as an outcast.  For most of the story Gregor is confined to his room to listen to his family go on with their daily activities through a key hole.



I read “The Metamorphosis” in high school, and even though this story was disturbing, I enjoyed the vivid detail and did not even question how he becamstrange storyline.  I was entranced in the idea that Gregor Samsa e an insect!  After discovering his transformation, his main concern was getting to work, for which he was already late.  The lack of questioning by Gregor makes me wonder if his transformation to an insect is purely symbolic.

In my opinion, this story represents alienation between Gregor Samsa and his family (or possibly even society).  Day after day, Gregor goes through his usual routine of working as a salesman, and he doesn’t make time for a social life.  He causes himself to be alienated by humanity and even his family.  Kafka may be using Gregor’s metamorphosis as a symbol for the alienation of society in the twentieth century.  Kafka also emphasizes Gregor’s monotonous job as essential for his family, and his family is forced to work after he turns into a beetle.  His relationship with his family deteriorates into nothing after Gregor is unable to work and provide for his family.  His family views him as worthless.  I personally think this represents the importance of a career and business life in the twentieth century.  People were so concerned with earning money and their jobs that they became alienated from one another. 

I think many people have this same feeling today.  Like someone mentioned in class, a person can be walking down the busiest street in a major city and still feel completely alone.  Maybe this is what Gregor Samsa was experiencing? 




Although the street is filled with people, everyone is a blur.