Analysis Of the Metamorphosis

Introduction

Die Verwandlung or the Metamorphosis/Transformation is a literary piece written by Franz Kafka, in the year 1915. It is renowned and studied in universities and colleges even in the 20th century. It is a story about Gregor Samsa, a travelling salesman, living a normal life, goes to bed one day, wakes up the next and finds himself transformed in an insect-like monster.

Discussion

The novella is filled with analogies and symbols, like Alienations, limited tolerance, meanings of life etc. Similarly, if one is willing to look properly, one can see the author as also touched the feminist perspective in her publication (Galens, Pp. 90-95).

It is a fact, that both the sexes male and female, love superiority over the other. Yet it is also a fact that the balanced has already tipped in the favor of one. This battle between yin and yang is been present for centuries, yet the people, like horses with eye covers are unable to the effects of it in society. In the majority of the societies, it is the duty of the male to be the bread winner, while it is the duty of the woman to look after the house. Strict or rather fanatic adherence to these traditional roles creates restrictions for both the sexes thereby, creating problems for them.

Kafka, in her story Metamorphosis employs the reactions of Grete (Gregor's sister) after his transformation to highlight the limitations in society that restrict the female growth because of the presence of gender-specific role mind frame. By the dint of the feminist perspective, the symbolism and point of view of Grete after and before her brother's discovery, there is a balance in the gender roles promoting self fulfillment, worth and growth.

The author employs Grete to show the cost of having biased gender roles, by the speech of the characters. In the start of the story, Gregor paints a picture of Grete with the help of subordinate or inferior terminologies that is shows that her feminine gender makes her below him masculinity. For instance the words

"…..his sister, …… was still a child, …… dressing herself neatly, sleeping late... taking part in a few modest pleasures, and above all playing the violin…." (Kafka, pp. 46).

The use of terminologies like, pleasures, playing child and modest in the description of Grete shows the Gregor's role as the bread winner of the family stops Grete from maturing.

Further on after Gregor's unfortunate transformation, the parents' praises of Grete further show the results of gender subordination.

"….He often heard them praise his sister's current industry….. complained ….. about her, as she” (Kafka, pp. 81.)

Industry and praise show the post-transformation, in the eyes of the parents who used to view her as idle once upon a time. Gregor's incapacitation acts as a catalyst of Grete strive to fulfill the void left by her brother, thereby releasing of her gender constraint roles. Grete strong leadership serves to highlight her value in the family, suggesting that by equalizing gender roles, the hindrances can ...