The Metamorphosis Symbolism

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Recommended: Critical analysis of metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is an amazing story for people who enjoy reading about realistic life challenges. Gregor Samsa is a self-sacrificing young man, who is mysteriously transformed into a giant insect. He supports his entire family by working as a traveling salesman. He really dislikes this job, but as many people, he ended up doing things that he did not want to do. Gregor Samsa devoted his entire life to the benefit of others. Since Gregor was a young man one would think he had an amazing social life, but unfortunately he did not. Gregor did not have any close friends, all he had was his family. It is evident that he would have high levels of repressed resentment towards his family. He sacrificed everything for his sister Grete, and his parents, but they never properly appreciated him. Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis highlights the theme of individual versus society through symbolism and literary devices. Firstly, beginning with the first sentence, The Metamorphosis deals with a preposterously irrational idea. The event of Gregor waking up to discover that he has transformed into a giant insect crosses …show more content…

Kafka described Gregor as a “monstrous cockroach.” Cockroaches are symbolic of filth. Most people view cock roaches as extremely disgusting pest. Out of all the things to compare Gregor’s transformation to, Kafka use of a cock roach was simply incredible. The use of a cockroach was perfect because Gregor’s family eventually viewed him as annoying pest. There is a lot of symbolism and imagery in The Metamorphosis. Religion does not play a huge part in the story, but honestly there are a few religious elements mentioned. Life is all about choices. If a person chooses society over himself or herself, the person loses their individuality. On the other hand, if it was the other way around and the person chooses their self over the society, the support of their society will be

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