Gregor Samsa Character Analysis in The Metamorphosis Essay Example

📌Category: Books, The Metamorphosis
📌Words: 987
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 16 April 2022

In Britney Spears’ debut song “Baby One More Time”, the singer sings of sentiments relating to Gregor Samsa’s isolating position through a verse which states, “I must confess that my loneliness is killing me now”. The main character of Franz Kafka’s literary classic “The Metamorphosis” undergoes many changes in his life that lead to him feeling isolated and, eventually, is the catalyst for Gregor’s death. The circumstances that come with being an outsider include feeling unwanted due to the lack of human interaction and being ostracized by those closest to one’s heart.

As naturally social creatures, humans crave the act of interacting with others. However, when there is an absence of interaction in one’s life, it can lead to unwanted conditions. After Gregor’s transformation, he finds himself in a situation where his mere presence is seen as a disgrace through a narration that says, “In order to spare her even this sight, one day he dragged the sheet on his back onto the couch and arranged it in such a way that he was now completely concealed and his sister, even if she bent down, could not see him” (Kafka 158-159). Gregor realizes that his appearance alone is enough to stimulate a reaction of disgust from his family. This realization urges Gregor to, even as a bug, care for his family by making an effort to conceal himself out of the love he has for his sister. In an attempt to prevent his family from viewing his new form, Gregor, by his own volition, only isolates himself even further from his family by choosing to hide his true self from them. Readers may find it ironic that the word “gregarious” is an adjective typically describing sociable conditions, and the main character’s name, Gregor, can be interpreted as a paradox seeing as though Gregor only becomes more and more alone throughout the story. In contrast to Gregor’s family thinking differently of their once golden child, one can infer that Gregor’s affection and mindfulness for his family hasn’t vanished because “He remembered his family with deep feeling and love. In this business, in his own thought that he had to disappear was, if possible, even more decisive than his sister’s.” (Kafka 176). Despite the mistreatment Gregor received from his family, he would rather have himself gone if it means his family were to live peacefully. Having felt like nothing but a big burden to those closest to him, Gregor decides that if he were to simply disappear, things would be easier for everyone in this predicament. This insight into Gregor’s thoughts portrays that regardless of the lack of care and love he received from his parents and sister; Gregor would still choose his family’s happiness over his own. Gregor is aware of his family's true colors coming to light; they no longer have any respect for him because he can no longer provide for them, thus having no true value to the family. Yet, despite this fallen angel-like descent, the once-breadwinner of the Samsa family puts their feelings over his and chooses what will be, in Gregor’s mind, what's best for both parties.  Not only is the lack of human interaction with society affecting Gregor but feeling like a burden to his family also contributes to his deteriorating state.

In addition to lack of human interaction, Gregor had been shunned by his own family– the people whom he is closest to. Gregor’s father, the person in the family who is arguably the most disgusted by Gregor’s metamorphosis, clearly expresses his true feelings about his son by way of a narration that says, “Gregor’s serious wound, from which he suffered for over a month (since no one ventured to remove the apple [...]) seemed by itself to have reminded the father, that in spite of his present unhappy and unpleasant appearance, Gregor was a member of the family [...] and that it was a requirement of family duty to suppress one’s aversion and to endure– nothing else, just endure” (Kafka 166).  After Gregor’s father nearly kills him, Gregor’s gradual immobility serves as an indication that the bug which is Gregor is still his son. Gregor’s physical state provokes a sort of sympathy (or pity) from his family, that otherwise wasn’t there until he was seriously injured. The family’s wavering love for their son and brother is in utter contrast to Gregor’s undying devotion to his family’s well-being prior to his transformation and after. Anything and everything that differs from a cookie-cutter expectation is, for the most part, looked down upon. Gregor’s family’s indifference and ability to not accept Gregor fully mirrors how unusual people are often ostracized simply for not “fitting in”. Gregor’s metamorphosis resulted in his alienation from his family and everything that once linked him to his normal, social life. A direct quote from Gregor’s sister displays how repulsed both she and her parents are by Gregor; “I will not utter my brother’s name in front of this monster, and thus I say that we must try to get rid of it” (Kafka 174). After several months of their lackluster job of taking care of Gregor, Grete suggests to finally dispose of Gregor once and for all. By referring to their own flesh and blood as an “it” rather than a “him” displays how Gregor’s family no longer views him as a human, and rather as an object that is not entitled to life or value. This change in pronouns indicates that Gregor’s family no longer think of him as one of their own. Despite having possessed the same thoughts and personality, Gregor’s outward physical form– the difference in appearance– causes him to be neglected by his family. Gregor’s family not hiding their hostility towards him is the driving force that led Gregor to his untimely demise. Outcasts often feel as if they do not belong simply because they are different from everyone else. This idea of not belonging causes those estranged to believe they are better off by themselves, getting further isolated from society as a whole. When being faced with a lack of reciprocal activities from the world and disregarded by your family, one tends to feel unwanted and alienated. However, readers should take Gregor’s unfortunate downfall as a reminder that being different does not automatically result in being a socially unacceptable person. By being different, one shows unique individuality and character that not everyone possesses.

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