The Metamorphosis

Many views of existentialism are exposed in Kafka's Metamorphosis. One of these main views is alienation or estrangement which is demonstrated by Gregor's relationship with his family, his social life, and the way he lives his life after the metamorphosis. Namely, it suggests that man is reduced to an insect by the modern world and his family; human nature is completely self absorbed. Kafka reflects a belief that the more generous and selfless one is, the worse one is treated. This view is in direct conflict with the way things should be; man, specifically Gregor should be treated in accordance to his actions. Gregor should be greatly beloved by his family regardless of his state. This idea is displayed in three separate themes. First, Gregor's family is only concerned with the effect Gregor's change will have on them, specifically the effect it will have on their finances and reputation. They are more than willing to take completely gratuitous advantage of Gregor; he works to pay their debt and they are happy to indulge themselves with luxury. Gregor is the soul employed member of his family and this is their primary interest when Gregor is transformed. Secondly, Gregor is penalized for his efforts to be a good son, and a good worker; his toils are completely taken for granted by his family. The Samsa family is not interested in Gregor beyond their own needs, outsiders are reverentially treated. Thirdly, it is displayed by the positive changes that occur in the Samsa family as Gregor descends into tragedy and insignificance. As Gregor's life becomes more painful, isolated, and worthless the Samsa family becomes more functional and self-reliant.

In The Metamorphosis Gregor Samsa seems to almost be a human form of currency. The Samsa's are mostly concerned with him in regards to money and are more than willing to take advantage of his sense of obligation. When Gregor inexplicably becomes an insect his family is primarily worried about how this will affect them, and their financial security. The morning Gregor awakes as a 'monstrous vermin' is the first day he has missed work in five years; his family's immediate concern is for Gregor's job. His father begins to admonish him before he can even drag himself out of bed. When Gregor hears his sister crying at his door he thinks, "Why was she crying?? Because he was in danger of losing his job and then his boss would dun their parents for his old claims?" This is very significant to their relationship; he considers himself close to his sister, but feels her emotion spent on him is related to money. Gregor has been the sole breadwinner for years; working at a job he abhors only to pay his fathers debts. The family leads an extremely comfortable life of leisure; the father sits at the kitchen table and reads all day, the sister wears the best clothes and amuses herself by playing the violin, and all even take a mid-day nap. Gregor is extremely pleased and proud to provide them with this lifestyle; however, his generosity is met with resentment by his father and indifference by his sister and mother. Once the family grew accustomed to this lifestyle they no longer felt the need to be grateful, "they had grown used to it, they accepted the money, but no particularly warm feelings were generated any longer." At one point Gregor is deeply distressed that the times of, "peace, prosperity, and contentment" are ending because of this change. Kafka represents Gregor as worthless to the family outside his ability to make money. Gregor feels worthless, and the family feels he is worthless when he is unable to financially support them.

Not only is Gregor alienating himself from his family, but he is also alienating himself from society. Gregor is penalized for his efforts to be a good son, and a good worker; his toils are completely taken for granted by both family and employer. Gregor is completely isolated by his job; he has no friends, and no chance to make friends. He hates his job, and fantasizes about quitting as soon as he has paid off his father's debt. Gregor is virtually a slave to his job; he is an insect scampering about trying to please others; he has lost his humanity in his pursuit of material possessions. His dedication is not appreciated by his family or his employer, in fact, his dedication is so taken for granted it has not earned him praise or reward of any type, but has made any slightly selfish act on his part unacceptable to those around him. His boss shows up at the house before Gregor is even an hour late and tells Gregor his job is in jeopardy. He accuses Gregor of costing the company money by his absence, and directly accuses him of stealing from the company. Gregor's Family does not defend Gregor, nor are they angered at the clerk for coming to their house, insulting, and upsetting their possibly very ill son. The Samsa's only thoughts are of placating and appeasing the clerk. Gregor makes equal efforts at pacification and includes his family in his attempts to calm the situation. Gregor begs the clerk to give a good word for him to the owner of the company, and is desperate for the chief clerk to validate him. Gregor's change into an insect, is ironically, his first