Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Metamorphosis

How does the perception of truth affect love?

In this novel by Franz Kafka, the main character and narrator Gregor Samsa transforms into a giant insect and the novel follows the result this has on both him and his family. Gregor's sister, Grete, at first is the one individual who cares for Gregor and provides him with a connection to the world outside of his room transformed prison. As the novel progresses, the perception of truth and its relationship to love become a vital theme and component. Grete and the rest of Gregor's family begin to see him as only an insect, rather than their son or brother. This percieved truth that Gregor is no longer Gregor causes them all to treat him with disdain bitterness. Grete verbalizes all this when she exclaims, " things can't go on like this. Maybe you don't realize it, but I do. I won't pronounce the name of my brother in front of this monster, and so all I say is: we have to try to get rid of it" (Kafka 48). It is clear that she hates the transformed Gregor because her truth is that he is a vermin, ruining her life and thus cannot expect to receive any love from her. This view is shared by Gregor's parents, more reluctantly and not as blatantly but their lack of love is there all the same. This change of love because of a new perception of truth marks the transformation of Gregor's family, which unlike Gregor's physical metamorphosis is one of character and emotion.

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