Standards in Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis Essay

In Franz Kafka’s story The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa falls victim, to some strange affliction which somehow turns him into a colossal insect of some sort. His bizarre and tragic story takes place in a European apartment in the early twentieth century; a time in which much stock was placed in both etiquette and the appearance of propriety. These standards found throughout the society in which he is placed leads to his ultimate downfall. When Gregor wakes up in his bed to find he has become an insect Gregor is only slightly concerned at his predicament. His first reaction is not what the reader might expect, anyone else probably would have panicked and worried about how this happened, but Gregor seems only to care about two things;†¦show more content†¦As the three tenants the Samsa’s house demonstrate fairly clearly, order was a key part of life where Gregor lived. When they found out that they had been sharing a house with Gregor, they were appalled, even though nothing was different now than it was when they moved in, Gregor was still being kept in his room to keep him away from the public. What really ended up killing Gregor, however, were the standards his own family held him to. All of Gregor’s working life, he was forced to work in a job he really had no interest in, working to support his family even though, as shown later in the novella, they are quite capable of supporting themselves. He is little more to them than a way to obtain money. This is the case with Gregor’s Boss as well, as he comes across in the story as being cold and uncaring. This apparent lack of humanity that the Samsa household treats Gregor with is magnified when he does in truth lose his humanity. The family Gregor had taken care of, both for appearance’s sake and their own peace of mind locks Gregor inside his room and ignores him. Granted, they still try to keep him alive, but their motions are wasted, because they both give G regor a prisoner’s life inside his own room, and they end up killing him in the end. One character in particular that demonstrates society’s affects on the people in The Metamorphosis is Gregor Samsa’s sister, Grete. AfterShow MoreRelatedThe Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka1052 Words   |  4 PagesFranz Kafka wrote one of his most popular books, The Metamorphosis, during the literary period and movement of existentialism. His 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 balance between work and leisure. 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