The Weight of Waking: Existence Without Identity as a Slow Death in Kafka's The Metamorphosis

Abstract

The present paper concentrates on the novel The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. It reveals the identity detriments incorporated in the plot and explains how the dehumanization process is gradually presented. To put it another way, the paper demonstrates that Gregor’s transformation is only a reflection of his degrading life values, which have gradually eroded over a period of time. The paper sheds light on the allegorical aspect of Kafka’s writing and underlines the main ideas and messages. The protagonist of the paper, a young man named Gregor, has been transformed into a bug due to his own family and work environment. In the paper, Gregor is an example of a human who has regressed into a lower insect life form because of putting family and work before self. He is just a tool for his family to fulfil their dreams and desires, and he is obligated to sacrifice himself in order to achieve their happiness. He cannot say no, even though they are ruining his life. After his transformation, Gregor’s alienation from his family is further enhanced due to his lack of voice, autonomy, status, and space. The paper examines the relationship between work and workers’ identity, examines the loss of voice in the context of social interactions, evaluates the value of Gregor’s room and furniture, and interprets the shift in the family’s attitude towards their father. The paper concludes that Gregor’s family comes to view their son as a burden and that his death is a relief for them. The current research is dedicated to the themes of identity and alienation in The Metamorphosis and provides a new look at the novel.