Gregor's Realization of His Alienation in Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis'

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Gregor’s Realization of His Alienation in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis In Franz Kafka's novel The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning as a transformed into a giant beetle, and “he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.” (Kafka 3) From the beginning of the novel, Gregor is already alienated. His family was cruel to him, they would only make him work to help pay off their debt. His father would chase him into his room. When they finally had enough money to pay off their debt they still continued to still his money, and he had no clue. He does not see his alienation because he is so used to it. Gregors guilt kills him knowing he is now no of use. As the novel progresses, Gregor tries to rebuild himself that he had lost by living for others and ignoring his desires. He cannot, however, escape what he sees as his family duty, and continues to serve his family by doing his best not to trouble them Gregor manages to escape his sense of duty only in the last chapter, when he realizes that his family has been neglecting him. Gregor's search for his identity seems hopeless, but, because he never had an identity to start with. He finds his humanity only at the end, when his sister's playing of her violin reminds him of his love for his family. What we don’t realize is in that someway everyone is alienated. Gregor does not truly see reality exposed after his metamorphosis, he gradually dies from his family’s neglect and from his own depression; life would go on but, not for him. When Gregor wakes up from his Metamorphosis, he acted as if nothing had happened. The first thing he thought of was about his family: how was he going to get to work because he missed the train. How he is going to work, and help support his family: “I’d have to try to with my boss; I’d be fired on the spot.” (4) He thought that his family would still love and support

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