Symbols and Abstractions in Kafka’s “the Metamorphosis”

Symbols and Abstractions in Kafkas The Metamorphosis The Metamorphosis is a unique and intricate novella by Franz Kafka. It is peculiar in all work for the main character to wake up as an bird lo employ in the first line of the story. Kafkas symbolism is unlike most authors who use symbolism to relate to the theme of the story Kafka tends to focus the readers attention on a single character which symbolizes his carriage. His uses of bizarre symbols make the reader question, What does Kafka recall through this symbol? The interpretations of these symbols differ between readers yet all be to represent how life is destroyed when people focus is on cosmos alone. To fully appreciate the symbols and abstractions in his works, it is important for the reader to have fellowship of the authors history to scan the reasoning behind the story. As observed in The Metamorphosis, there atomic number 18 some similarities between Frank Kafka and his protagonist, Gregor Samsa. Kafka was born into a middle-class, German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, the capital of Bohemia.His father, Hermann Kafka, was described by Kafka himself as a true Kafka in strength, health, appetite, loudness of voice, eloquence, self-satisfaction, worldly dominance, endurance, presence of mind, and experience of gentlemans gentleman nature . (Nervi) Admitted to the Charles University of Prague, Kafka first studied chemistry, only switched after two weeks to law. This offered a range of occupational group possibilities, which pleased his father, and required a weeklong course of study that gave Kafka time to take classes in German studies and machination history.He later was hired at an Italian insurance company, where he worked for well-nigh a year. His correspondence, during that period, witnesses that he was unhappy with his late shift running(a) schedule as it made it extremely difficult for him to concentrate on his writing. Later, he resigned, and two weeks later found more cong enial date with the Workers Accident Insurance Institute for the Kingdom of Bohemia. However, he did not memorialise any signs of indifference towards his job, as the several promotions that he received during his career prove that he was a hard working employee.In parallel, Kafka was in addition committed to his literary work. (Nervi) Gregor Samsa, the insect, and Kafka destiny many similarities. It is known that Kafka and the insect share professions as a traveling salesman, with Gregor working to pay off his fathers debt to the company. Gregor is prevent by his physical attributes, while Kafka is likewise impeded by his career, ineffective to pursue his testament to be a fulltime writer. Kafka took his profession to the satisfaction of his father, and he remained employed there for several years against his will. bidwise, Gregor hates his work as a salesman however his motivation to return following his transformation can be attributed to the fact that he is his familys on ly source of income, and he is proud to be able to provide for his mother, father, and sister, Grete. He aspires to one day send his sister to the conservatory to study violin. Gregor is put under heavy weight by his family, especially by his father. He feels the burden he places on the family and tries to meld by hiding under the sofa.As the story continues, Gregor is confined to his style under his family command to prevent the family from embarrassment. He is hidden and devoid of human contact. The relation between Kafkas isolation from his family can be related to Gregor, who leads his life under his fathers will, leading to the emotional rift between Kafka and his father. This becomes obvious during a passage in the story where Gregor emerges from the confinement of his room, only to be chased around the kitchen and pelted with apples by his father, leaving Gregor wounded and eventually infected.This pain and worrying experienced by Gregor can be abstracted as the regret K afka underwent in dealing with his father and his father cannot recognize or understand Gregor his son in this state. Though remorse follows the incident, the damage has been done and it will only be a matter of time until his death. For the remainder of his life, Gregor realizes he no longer has worth or serves purpose. In death, the burden of Gregor on the family has been lifted, and in a strange, twisted way, his family is relieved and moves forward happily and comfortably.Like his character, Kafka dies at a young age, alone. Even the title, The Metamorphosis can be abstracted metaphorically, not only through the main characters physical changes, but between different characters. For Gregor, it is conveyed in the first sentence that Gregor has been transformed from a human to a roach-like insect, yet the internal metamorphosis Gregor experiences is a increase from the beginning to the end of the story. The metamorphosis is gradual.As Gregors condition worsens, he is ineffective to support his family, is unable to communicate with them, and his speech becomes completely unintelligible. The theme, similar to Kafkas life, is of the paltry protagonist. Grete, too, changes. Early in the novella she seeks guidance and support from Gregor. However, by the purpose of the story she has blossomed into a beautiful and voluptuous young woman, completing her metamorphosis. end-to-end this writing, the theme of oneness between the main character and Kafka is obvious.Kafka uses symbolic metaphors and abstractions in The Metamorphosis to represent himself and his life. Similarities between the family, occupation, alienation, and death are shared nearly identically between Kafka and Gregor. In conclusion, there are too many parallelisms in Kafkas The Metamorphosis to dismiss as coincidence, and the character and life of Gregor Samsa are surely a representation of the author, Kafka, and his life. Works Cited Nervi, Mauro Kafkas Life (1883-1921). 12 marching music 2006. The Kafka Project. 18 May 2009. .