Metamorphosis Vs. Johnny Got His Gun

Gregor vs. Joe

The short story, "The Metamorphosis," discusses how Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning transformed into a giant beetle like insect. As a result of Gregor's appearance, he faces many obstacles such as losing

his job, communicating with his family, and learning to survive as a bizarre creature. Gregor shows a similar trait to the character; Joe in "Johnny Got His Gun". These traits entail the solitudes and loneliness of being locked up in your own little world with no communication.

Both Gregor and Joe end up in a situation that neither of them can change. Joe has no limbs and is covered up to his head in bandages. He also has no ways of communication other than the movements of his head to make telegraph signals. Up to Gregor's transformation, he was an essential part of his family by providing stable income and support. But due to his gruesome appearance, his family and coworkers immediately shunned him. However different from Joe, Gregor was in more of a conscious state, he could almost do everything a normal human could do. His father and mother kept Gregor locked in his room and continued to ignore his existence while his sister, Grete, attempted to keep Gregor fed. As time passed by, Grete's efforts to keep Gregor alive diminished. His family neglected him and hastened his death.

I think the author's thoughts on how society reacts towards Gregor's appearance are very accurate. Everywhere in today's society, people are judged and treated based upon their outward form. For example, while walking through the halls of Coral Springs High, I overheard a group of kids criticizing a fellow student because of the way he dressed. Due to the fact that the students were too engulfed in his appearance, they failed to realize that he might actually be a respectable person. This supports Kafka's notions that society is the most judgmental