William Faulkner and Franz Kafka

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how "A Rose for Emily" (1930) by William Faulkner and "The Metamorphosis" (1916) by Franz Kafka demonstrate the development and effect of individualism in Western society. The paper further discusses the theme of individualism through the tone of each work's narrators.

From the Paper:

""Metamorphosis," meanwhile, presented the depiction of the individual who wanted to assert himself/herself in a society governed by fixed norms and rules throughout many centuries. Gregor Samsa, who had shown exhaustion from working and supporting his family, was able to assert himself by transforming himself into an insect. As an insect, he was unable to communicate with his family--and worse, he was unable to go to work and earn money to maintain the lifestyle that his family has. This incident is an ironic occurrence in the story: Gregor was only able to assert himself by rendering himself 'incommunicado' or incapable of communicating, with his family. Speaking the language not of people but of insects, he got what he wanted, only at the cost of being misunderstood and eventually, isolated and neglected, by his own family."

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