Metamorphosis of the Family in Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis Essay

The Metamorphosis of the Family Before the caterpillar can transform into a butterfly, it must(prenominal) go through a metamorphosis. The cocoon in which the caterpillar hibernates is in fact just a conveyance towards another life form. Gregor, in Franz Kafkas novella The Metamorphosis, is similarly a vehicle for such an important transformation, in this case the reformation of his family. The metamorphosis of Gregor facilitates the drowsy change of his entire family, demonstrating that an outdoor(a) source is sometimes needed in order to push concourse out of stagnation and into life. Before the family members begin to make their transformations, they rely severely on Gregor. The dutiful son sets out to provide for his family after the trouble of his fathers business. He secures a decent job and the family gladly accepts this new sort of life, with a steady income and means of support. Over time, they had simply got used to it, twain the family and Gregor the money was gra tefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling (95). Each member of the family becomes accustomed to an prosperous life in which needs and wants are provided for. This routine causes the individuals in the family to slug and live unproductively. The family begins to follow a path of existentialism because of what their lives have become. existential philosophy entails taking responsibility for ones own actions and poseing substance in life. with the course of the novel, the family proceeds from a state of senselessness to a gradual form of existentialism. In the beginning, the lives of the family members mean nothing and have no purpose. They are not individuals, but rather mindless drones who take advantage of a convenient situation... ...ther, and daughter emerging arm in arm (11). Gregors end is a necessary capitulate, for it is through his loss of humanity that his family is able to find humanity of their own. He forces them to unders tand their environment and their role in society, creating meaning in their lives. The transformation of Gregor is a catalyst for the gradual metamorphosis of for each one member of his family, illustrating the importance of discovering purpose in ones life. In order to sincerely experience life, people must find meaning in it. However, sometimes it is only through the changes of another, in this case Gregor, that people themselves begin to transform. The sacrifice of Gregor allows his family to leave its protective cove and journey out into the world, discovering what life has to offer. Works CitedKafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Mattituck head Press, 1946.