The Relationship Between Gregor and Samsa Essay - 1670 Words

The meaning of life and existence is a question that has been thoroughly explored in literature. As time, people, and philosophies have evolved, interpretations of life and existence have evolved along with them. Among the literary pioneers who have explored the meaning and purpose of existence, Franz Kafka is one to be noted and studied. A follower of the existentialism movement, he made it a point explore existential philosophy in his literary works. In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, the main character Gregor Samsa is the parallel to Franz Kafka which is evident through the portrayal of their similar paternal relationships, ties to existentialism, and their inability to exist without the interference of others. The main character,†¦show more content†¦Gregor’s family more thoroughly embodied the title of vermin than Gregor does. For years they were useless and parasitic towards Gregor. The life of Gregor Samsa and Franz Kafka is extremely similar and it is illustrated with the literary work The Metamorphosis. It is through this novella that Kafka illustrates his beliefs in the existential philosophy. Throughout The Metamorphosis, Kafka illustrates the relationship between Gregor and Mr. Samsa fully, to the extent that their almost identical relationships become overt through Kafka’s illustrations in his novella. Both Gregor and Franz despise their vocational bondage but are imprisoned by their sense of familial loyalty and devotion. Gregor despises his occupation as a traveling salesmen. When he reflects on his occupation he thinks â€Å"what a strenuous occupation† (Kafka 14). After his moment of reflection Gregor comes to a realization and saying â€Å"to the devil with it all† (Kafka 14). Franz Kafka knew all too well the struggles of working an unfulfilling job to satisfy a father. Kafka attended a German school and then studied law at German University in Prague. Although he strove for academic excellence it was not for his own satisfaction. For, â€Å"His studies and professional life seemed an effort to win his father’s elusive approval, and Kafka spent most of his life frustrated at the lack of time he could devote to writing†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Show MoreRelatedThe Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka1052 Words   |  4 Pagespredominant ideal that is seen through Gregor Samsa and his father in The Metamorphosis is that choice is the opportune of the individual. One’s ultimate goal in life is to successfully find a balance between work and leisure. It is through the juxtaposition of Gregor Samsa and his father, the conceding tone of the author, and the choice of diction that we see the acquisition of the homeostasis between work and leisure and in turn this exemplifies the father of Gregor as an existential ideal. Franz KafkaRead MoreMetamorphosis Kafka Relationship Analysis1022 Words   |  5 Pageswork. He is left alone in his room, neglected by those whom he has supported for years. Mr. Samsa is disgusted with Gregor and repeatedly mistreats him. Parallels can be drawn between Gregor’s exchanges with his father to the author’s own experiences. Similar to Kafka’s own kinship with his father, the uneasy relationship between Gregor and Mr. Samsa is due to work and feelings of inadequacy. For years, Gregor has worked hard to accommodate for the needs of his family. Although he is an adult, he livesRead MorePersonal Experiences Reflected in Metamorphosis by Gregor Samsa1061 Words   |  5 PagesMetamorphosis. The Metamorphosis presents many connections between the life of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, and Kafka himself. Some literary analysts claim it serves as an outlet for his distraught life. Based on the events of Gregor Samsa’s life, it can be deduced that Franz Kafka used his personal experiences as an inspiration for The Metamorphosis. Kafka portrays the relationship he had with his father through the relationship of Gregor and Mr. Samsa. Kafka’s father, Hermann Kafka played a large roleRead MoreAnalysis Of Franz Kafka s The Metamorphosis 1711 Words   |  7 Pagesconnections can be seen between the main character, Gregor Samsa, and the author himself, Franz Kafka. A major comparison that can be made is the fact that both Samsa and Kafka died slow, lonesome deaths after being in a dysfunctional relationship with their families and especially their father figures. Franz Kafka was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1917, which he was forced to live with until he died in 1924 at the age of forty-one. Kafka’s terminal disease can be compared to Gregor Samsa’s terminal metamorphosisRead MoreThe Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka1380 Words   |  6 Pagesinside me. I cannot even explain it to myself†: A Psychoanalysis reading of â€Å"The Metamorphosis† by Kafka The Metamorphosis is known to be one of Franz Kafka’s best works of literature. It demonstrates the interconnection between his personal life and the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, of â€Å"The Metamorphosis.† Franz Kafka was born in 1883 and grew up in a financially stable Jewish family in Prague. He was the only son left after the death of his younger brothers, Georg and Heinrich, during his infancy.Read MoreThe Metamorphosis By Gregor Samsa1058 Words   |  5 Pagesbreadwinner, Gregor Samsa. Gregor s position profoundly changes his self-feelings as well as his relationship with his family. This change of events drastically alters the family s lifestyle and metamorphoses each member. Gregor s sister, Grete, starts with utmost admiration which stagnates into resentment. His father starts off headstrong and grows weary. His mother s cheer turns into doubt. The Metamorphosis not only illustrates the profound changes in Gregor, but those of Grete, Mrs. Samsa and MrRead MoreT he Metemorphosis Essay1402 Words   |  6 Pagestravelling sales man by the name Samsa Gregor who wakes up to find himself transformed into an insect. The main characters include Gregor Samsa, Grete Samsa, Mr. Samsa, Mrs. Samsa and Samsa. The theme of change is conspicuous on the novel when Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into an insect. The theme of economic effects on human relationships is also evident when we find that Gregor Samsa is a slave to his family because he is the breadwinner. Gregor also characterizes the theme ofRead MoreGregor Samsa Essay1280 Words   |  6 PagesFranz Kafka writes Gregor Samsa in his novel The Metamorphosis to portray specific details of his childhood life. In the early 1900’s the Great Depression occurred which changed the romantic time period into the modernism that focused on grotesque imagery. The Great Depression caused people to appreciate their beautiful world, before it turned into the dark and gloomy atmosphere i t was for ten years. Kafka and Gregor’s lives share the similarity that both of their fathers were aggressive, alienatingRead MoreAlienation In The Metamorphosis, By Franz Kafka922 Words   |  4 Pagesthe man, Gregor Samsa, came to be a bug. Only the aftermath of his transformation. But the deterioration of man, and insect, and relationships is prevalent in the story. The relationship between Gregor and his family is an interesting one. The story questions the idea of unconditional love. The Samsa family had a lack of understanding and sympathy towards Gregor after his transformation providing evidence that they do not have unconditional love for Gregor. At the beginning, the Samsa family worriedRead MoreMr Samsa Existential Ideal: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka1071 Words   |  5 PagesHis novella stresses many existential ideals. The most predominant ideal that is seen through Gregor Samsa and his father in The Metamorphosis is that choice is the opportune of the individual. One’s ultimate goal in life is to successfully find a homeostasis between work and leisure. It is through the character development of the father of Gregor Samsa that we see the acquisition of the homeostasis between work and leisure and in turn this exemplifies that the father is an existential ideal. Franza