The Metamorphosis Essay :: essays research papers

The Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaFrom this story, I inferred that suffering is a necessary component of a healthy mind. Every member of the Samsa family experiences this suffering and their spirit and depart are awakened by it. They all undergo a painful metamorphosis, Gregors being the most dramatic. The complacent relationship between Gregor and his family is shattered one morn and their roles are basically reversed. To feel an obligation to an unpleasant task and to have others depend on you is to have a sense of purpose. It is a basic benignant need that makes one feel venerable and deserving. The most glaring evidence for this theory is the tradition of serving ones country in the military, which Gregor has done. Self-sacrifice and hard clip are what enable us to look people in the eye.It is this need which was Gregors motivation for trudging on through a job which he despises. He is corresponding a bottom-feeder for other peoples love and respect. He maintains a spark of r eal intimacy for his sister, which later surfaces when he hears her playing the violin to the guests. At that moment he realizes what he has been starving for as he plays out in his mind the fantasy of keeping her in his room, having her play to him, kissing her, and telling her his plans of sending her to a music school. This gaining of Gretes love and appreciation is the reward Gregor feels he has earned through his suffering. When he hears his familys decision that he is in no way a humane being and must be gotten rid of, he realises that his hope will never be realised. He dies alone shortly after this, as if he is giving up.It is this way of life which each member of Gregors family fights to attain. His father, after becoming basically an invalid through five years of inactivity, quickly becomes strong and sufficient through his new job. He clings to this new responsibility, wearing his uniform constantly. He even sleeps in it in extreme discomfort, and yet quite peacefully. Gregors mother did most of the theater work and great piles of sewing. Grete became the one to take care of Gregor. Even though she soon started to despise this job, it was still very important to her. She becomes very upset at her mother for trying to clean Gregors room, taking that responsibility away from Grete.