The Universality of Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Essay Example

Introduction

Isolation and alienation are central in the Metamorphosis as it highlights the importance of social relations. Human beings are social beings who by being part of the society need the physical, emotional and economic dependency (Kafka, 41). Moreover the actual, implied or imagined the presence of others dramatically affects an individual thoughts action and behavior. As a result, there is a need for positive reinforcement by members of the society as it affects an individual's well being. Gregor, the main protagonist in the Metamorphosis, lacks the positive support from his family members who are tired of him after his transformation into an ugly creature, the vermin. Before Gregor performed his obligation to his family through his sales job and after he got freed of the responsibility his family was no longer interested in him, in fact, they were willing to sacrifice him to allow them to continue with life.

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Besides the issue of isolation and alienation, the universality of the Metamorphosis by Fraz Kafka gets highlighted by its focus on ethics and Euthanasia. To begin with matters ethics, Kantian moral laws judge the morality of an action based on its universal applicability; an effort is rendered right only if one would wish it to be the universal law. In the case of Gregor and his transformation, his relatives are tired of him yet throughout his life and career he supported them. In so doing, their actions stir debate on ethical issues something that is of great interest to communities around the world. On matters Euthanasia, Gregor's reliance on family supports leads him to feel like a burden thus he contemplates his death as a sacrifice that will allow them to move on with their lives. Physician-assisted suicide has been part of medical history dating from medieval times when the Romans used corneum a species of the carrots genus to modern times where euthanasia occurs through the withdrawal of essential medicine. The legality, social acceptability, ethics and religious views on ending a person's life to end his suffering and that of others is greatly contested.

Insight on the social relations

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka reinforces the importance of social ties and provides a reader with insight on the theme through the acceptability of euthanasia. To start with, deteriorating relations between Gregor and his family result to his isolation as the transformation to the Vermin strips him of his humanity. Moreover, he was unable to communicate leading to further isolation. The severed relations and differences in treatment reinforce the implications of social ties on suicidal thoughts and depression; according to Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis, repressed thoughts is a predisposing factor to depression, a state of poor quality life that arises from thought suppression. Communication is vital in making unconscious thoughts conscious, but Gregor's transformation denied him an opportunity.

Art and elements of fiction

There are plenty of literary devices and components of the invention in the novella. Symbolism is evident as Gregor Samsa's transformation to an insect reinforces the idea that a cockroach can survive a nuclear apocalypse; the cockroach is a symbol of survival. Another example of symbolism is evident in Fathers uniform which shows pity, dignity, and respect for the old man. The violin studies promised to Grete symbolizes the love between them as well as Gregory sympathetic character; Only the sister had remained still close to Gregor, and it was his secret plan to send her to learn how to play the violin" (Kafka, 35). Allegory is evident in the text, and the transformation typifies social isolation when an individual has deemed a burden.

Work Cited

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Moscow: Aegitas, 2016. Print.