Analysis Of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis '

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Franz Kafka was always on the fence. His indecisiveness regarding his nationality, religion, and stance on war, culminated in a protracted yet futile identity struggle. World War I found him surrounded by civilians who fell neatly into the categories of pacifism and militarism. Kafka was neither, but the decision was made for him when he developed tuberculosis. Consequently, he could neither enjoy the long, happy life he desired nor sacrifice it for his nation. Likewise, Gregor Samsa is in a state of Purgatory in The Metamorphosis. He is neither ambitious, independent human nor lowly, slaving bug, because he never fully dedicated himself to being either. Gregor missed more than his train; he missed his chance to decide the direction of his life. His troubled dreams allude to his internal struggle with indecision, the consequences of which will be explored in this essay. They include: loss of control regarding his own fate, the unattainability his goals, watching others torn between the same goals learn from his indecision, dying without realizing which option he should have pursued, and replacement by a more decisive individual.

Gregor’s new life is now controlled by others. His room serves as a microcosm for his life, which he could once control but missed his chance to do. He cannot not decide between an empty room, which would …show more content…

The Metamorphosis was for him an extrapolation of his life ‘on the fence,’ to explore the consequences of his failure to decide. Was he Jewish or gentile? German or Czech? Militarist or pacifist? His enemy was neither the Axis, not the Allies; it was himself. He could not figure out which label to adopt, which belief to subscribe to, who to be. Kafka’s development of tuberculosis 2 years later was his fulfillment of his own prophecy. He incurred the same fate he bestowed upon Gregor for failing to decide. Kafka became a

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