Who Is Gregor Exposed In Kafka's Metamorphosis

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Gregor is under the pressure of Mr.Samsa's rank in the patriarchal society and the oppression he faces by the social construct. Since Gregor is the only one that generates income for the family while paying his father's debt, he is seen as the head of the house, giving him more control over his family. It can be proven that Gregor is exploited and underestimated when the father reacts to his transformation with such an aggressive attitude. Kafka states that, "With his left hand, his father picked up a large newspaper from the table and, stamping his feet on the floor he set out to drive Gregor back into his room by waving the cane and the newspaper" (Kafka 14). The way Mr.Samsa stamps his feet on the floor exemplifies his desire to destroy Gregor. …show more content…

However, "the cane" and "the newspaper" also represents that the father is older than Gregor, pointing out that he has more knowledge of his rebellion than Gregor thinks. By doing so, he brings back Gregor to his room, to a place where he is isolated and hopeless. In "Kafka's ‘Metamorphosis': Rebellion and Punishment" by Walter H. Sokel, Gregor is seen as an obedient son who has to deal with his father's maltreatment. Walter H. Sokel claims that, "Under the threat of his furious father he now has to turn back to his room, henceforth the prison in which he will pine away his life in solitary confinement"( Sokel 214). Gregor’s room does not only symbolize prison, but also his life, in general, is like a prison because he has to keep what he thinks and wants to himself. Gregor has to return to his room, specifically to the door, which represents the psychological isolation by not being accepted by society nor his father. He has to follow the image of a good man who provides as much as he can for his family without having any other

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