Kafka franz metamorphosis12/5/2023 ![]() ![]() Kafka was said to have been suffering from clinical depression and social anxiety for a majority of his life (Nervi, 2007). The symbolism used in the literature depicts the declining mental health of Gregor. Although this reference may have had no significance to the reader, to Kafka this was a connection to his home life. Kafka had become so accustomed to this noise that he had unknowingly included it within his writing (Nervi, 2007). Similar to the reference he makes of the slamming doors in the literature. In the biography, Kafka also was said to have been secluded to his room to escape the torment of his parents screaming and slamming of doors (Nervi, 2007). In his later years when Kafka decided to pursue a career as a writer, his father looked down on him for not becoming a successful lawyer and pursuing a hobby. Becoming an esteemed lawyer was an occupation that his father would approve of. Since Kafka yearned to receive approval in the eyes of his father, he proceeded to study and have a brief career in law (Nervi, 2007). Kafka has felt like a victim in his household because of the harsh treatment he received from his father. This relates to the relationship that Kafka had with his own father. In the beginning of the story, Kafka describes how essential Gregor is to his family unit and how he made providing for his family his priority rather than living an individual life only to receive approval from his father. The first direct correlation is seen between Gregor Samsa and Franz Kafka. There are significant correlations between the fictional literary characters in The Metamorphosis and Kafka’s life. This demonstrates the fears and a sense of guilt that are seen once Gregor turns into the insect and shows an insight into his subconscious psyche. The superego serves as a censor on the functions of the values of family and society being the source of the guilty feelings and fear of punishment that Gregor has towards his father (Karl, pg. The act of departing from his family’s side to live a life of his own was merely an illusion that only occurred in his thoughts. His own thoughts about reaching self-actualization seemed to be a betrayal on his family that would overfill him with guilt (Azizmohammadi, 2013). In the story, Gregor reflects upon the independent life he could have lived, if he were not tied down by his family. Gregor’s father represents the id, restraining Gregor from having a life and a family of his own. Having this story written in the subconscious state, the reader can explore Gregor’s repressed feelings about his self-image. When Gregor awakes from his slumber as an insect, this signifies the shift from his conscious state into the subconscious. This metamorphosis that Gregor undergoes represents his psychological journey. Gregor’s metamorphosis represents the results of a drastic change in a routine life that greatly affected self-image and mental health. He was shunned to his room where he lived out his days until he passed away. Gregor has lost his purpose in his family unit and no longer knows what to do with himself. Now that Gregor cannot provide for his family, he feels a sense of dissociation not only from society but from his family. With concern about his job, Gregor stresses over the fact that his boss and father will be angry with him and about what will happen to his family. The grim beginning, followed by a struggle to perform daily duties, and a change in appetite shown later on in the story, insinuates that Gregor had depression due to this drastic change he went through. Both of these quotes give insight into Gregor’s mental health described by Kafka. ![]() “He tried at least a hundred times, shutting his eyes to keep from seeing his struggling legs, and only desisted when he began to feel in his side a faint dull ache he had never experienced before.” (Kafka,1914) this quote, describes Gregor’s struggle in his new physical state. The phraseology utilized by Kafka in this line implies that tragic events are foreshadowed within the story. In the beginning of this story, Kafka introduces the setting of the story by painting a grim picture, “Gregor’s eyes turned next to the window, and the overcast sky-one could hear rain drops beating on the window gutter-made him quite melancholy.” (Kafka, 1914). Through his use of symbolism, Kafka paints a very vivid depiction of Gregor’s mental health. ![]()
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