In his psychological novella, “Metamorphosis,” Franz Kafka writes about Gregor Samsa’s transformation into a “horrible vermin” overnight, and the direct results of alienation that come from his family and job. Samsa’s life is completely dedicated to his dependent family who turn against him in his new condition. Through the process of alienation, the power of man is taken away, leaving him a pit of estrangement and hopelessness.
Gregor Samsa thinks of nothing but his family. For the past 16 years he has worked a strenuous career as a traveling salesman, in order to help his family live a happy carefree life. His father’s previous business failed, leaving his family in large debt which Gregor strives to one day relieve them of. At first, the hard work he put into his family was greatly appreciated by his parents and his sister. They understood how much he devoted himself to them. Nonetheless, after six years of Gregor’s work, his family began to appreciate it less and less. They took it for granted. Gregor also wants to send his sister to the conservatory to study violin. Her music is one thing that he enjoys in life. Everything changes however, at the precise moment Gregor wakes up and finds himself a vermin with hundreds of little uncontrollable legs. Gregor does not realize the vast limitations that are placed on him at that moment.
This is the beginning of his alienation from work, society, and most importantly, his family. Gregor was standing upright on several of his many legs, ready to go to work. This was an arduous sight for his family to handle. His mother fainted. “His father looked hostile, and clenched his fists as if wanting to knock Gregor back into his room.”(pg. 8). The chief clerk turned away as soon as Gregor started to speak. This instant inhospitality shown towards Gregor shocked him. At one time, Gregor was a lieutenant in the army, a man full of ambition and success; now to see their son cast down and turned into this gruesome creature was just horrifying. After all, he still loved his family and his job and was prepared to provide for them for as long as he lived. To Gregor, the harsh and unjust punishment that is beset upon him seems to come from nowhere and without good reason. “Gregor’s appeals to his father were of no help, his appeals were simply not understood… his father merely stamped his foot all the harder.” (p. 10). He is no longer able to speak words, walk upright, or let others know his intentions. These setbacks self-alienate Gregor from being able to communicate and be part of the family. In addition to this, his family shuts him out of their life, incarcerating him to his own room.
“For some reason, the tall empty room where he was forced to remain made him feel uneasy as he lay there flat on the floor.” (p. 12). Gregor is confined to his room where nobody will have to either see him, or deal with him. Without being able to interact with his family and have human contact, Gregor’s life slowly drains out of him. The family’s happy and carefree life was snatched away when Gregor went through his metamorphosis. His hopes of paying back his father’s debt and sending his sister to the conservatory are banished by his vermin-like state, and he is ashamed of his condition, trying to hide from everyone. He wants to help his family, but he is unable to. Unfortunately, his family loses hope in Gregor “getting better,” for they cannot remember how much he has done for them. The blame is directed towards Gregor, further drilling him into that pit of estrangement and hopelessness. His new body has separated him from his family and society, and has put an economical strain on his family.
Gregor’s situation is very likely related to when an individual has the knowledge to save the world, yet is unable to do anything, therefore diminishing his confidence and power. As the alienation process wears on, Gregor falls down the classes of society and nearly obtains the untouchables status in India. He no longer has the power to work, to speak, or have the strength to have a meaningful life. Throughout his journey in his new body, Gregor has come to face the truth that he has been alienated from society, his power and position swiped away from him, all resulting from one metamorphosis.
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