Analyzing the Dynamics of Change in Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis'

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Western Literature April 20th, 2012 With Time Comes Change The Metamorphosis is a short story by that of Franz Kafka, following a man’s life who takes a dramatic change one morning when he awakens. We start the story after the transformation has already been completed; Gregor wakes up as a bug. Somewhat resembling a roach of sorts. Gregor undergoes minimal to no changes as a character throughout the story, but the transformation into bug is by far the most notable and clearest cut of them all. From the beginning of the story we get the quote “he found that he had been transformed in his bed into an enormous bug.” (11) setting the tone for the rest of the story as well as the changes that Gregor would undergo. The account of Gregor changing is given in a non-chalet sober way, as if this chaotic, extraordinary event is nothing out of the ordinary. Just as the way Gregor went about things as man accepting hardships without the slightest grimace he also does when he turns into a bug. The brief glimpse we get into Gregor’s human life during part 1 we find out that he was essentially a hermit, having no friends outside the office and dreading his boss. He focused on his work and only his work, in order to gather money “together to pay off my parents’ debt to him” (12), him being Gregor’s boss. When the office manager comes in to check on Gregor, his mother tries to explain how good an employee he his hinting at the fact he is a hermit quoting “The boy has no head for anything but the business.” (16) and that he had been home for 8 days “but has stayed at home every night” (16). After his sudden change into a bug Gregor’s mind frame doesn’t alter the slightest bit. Instead of contemplating the reason behind such a drastic change Gregor focuses on work and the consequences he will face as a result of the change. After quickly accepting the fact that he is a bug

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