Alienation in Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes the plot of Franz Kafka's, "Metamorphasis" and examines the protagonist's transformation as a form of alienation. The paper goes on to explain that the transformation represents the protagonist's transformation as a way of pursuing his own personal desires, which personally had went unfulfilled.

From the Paper:

"Accordingly, Kafka paints the scene with such endearment and potency. The reader must be touched with such empathy as they visualize Gregor crawling up to Grete and pulling at her skirt while he deeply believes that she might spend the night with him, that he might kiss her on the neck and pay homage to her for taking over the duties of the household. At the same time, the violin is playing and filling the room with so much passion that one can hardly stop themselves from thinking of what sensual events could have taken place if the entire circumstances would have been different. When knowing of Kafka's own rejections, the reader can appreciate how Kafka has painted the ultimate scene of futility. The more the fantasy is heightening in Gregor's mind, the more the reader realizes how the metamorphosis condition will render the cruel reality of alienation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bridgwater, Patrick. Kafka, Gothic and Fairytale. The City: Rodopi, 2003.
• Deleuze, Gilles, and Felix Guattari. Kafka: Toward a Minor Literature. St. Paul: U of Minnesota P, 1986.
• Hibberd, John. "The Metamorphosis: Overview." Reference Guide to World Literature.
• Ed. Lesley Henderson. 2nd ed. New York: St. James Press, 1995.
• "Kafka's 'Bucket Rider': What's it Like to Be Reject." ???

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• Comparison Essay # 116705 : "Rhinoceros" and "The Metamorphosis"

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