Outsider / Outcast - Based on the Novel or Play Written by Franz Kafka’s 1904 Version of “the Metamorphosis”

Outsider / Outcast

Jinxed

South University

Outsider / Outcast

Outsider / Outcast is based on the novel or play written by Franz Kafka’s 1904 version of “The Metamorphosis”. There are notable situations and transformations which makes the story strange, sad, and even with a bittersweet ending. Gregor Samsa, who is the main character of the story, who wakes up transformed into a beetle physically, but in reality, he still hopes and feels the responsibility in which he is supporting his family. He is locked in his room while he sleeps, which appears as though he is protecting himself from his own family. The fact that Kafka used a disease carrying, dirty, and ugly insect such as a beetle proves that there is some type of strain within his family. This form of physical transformation only adds that Gregor’s family refuses to accept him, which causes Gregor to feel more trapped and guilty. There is no bond or communication within the Samsa family, and the symbol of the beetle gives permission of stress and mental breakdown to take its full toll, proving that Gregor is the outsider and outcast of the Samsa family (Gorman, R.F. ‘The Metamorphosis” (2008) Section 1).

Gregor Samsa is a young traveling salesman who works hard to support his family. Even though he hates his job, he knows that he has to pay off his father’s debt (Gorman, R.F. “The Metamorphosis” (2008) Section 1). He is the only member of the family that works, so it’s up to Gregor to make sure that his family is well supported. This type of physical and mental strain, breaks down Gregor, slowly but surely, as his manhood is slowly dwindling. Gregor wakes up this particular morning from a horrible dream, and realizes that he is not his usual self. Instead, he notices that his belly has stiffened and he has additional legs. After noticing that he has overslept, and he has missed his five o’clock am train, his family notices as well, and starts to knock at his doors demanding that he opens them. Grete, who is Gregor’s younger sister, shows some form of emotion by crying while knocking at her brother’s door. Grete is a lot younger than her older brother Gregor, and their bond seems to be a little closer than the bond between their parents. It seems as though Grete knew that something was “terribly wrong”, because Gregor’s tardiness is completely out of character (Gorman, R.F. “Great Lives From History” (2008) Section 1). When Gregor finally gets the strength to maneuver out of his bed, and crawl to one of his three doors, and struggles to manipulate the door knob, he reveals himself, and observes his family shocking reaction of disbelief, Gregor realizes that his family doesn’t ask questions as to why or how his transformation occurred. Gregor’s parents are now more disgusted by Gregor than ever, as they hear a knock at the door, which turns out to be one of Gregor’s supervisor who has showed up to see why Gregor was running so late (Gorman, R.F. “Great Lives From History” (2008). When Gregor’s supervisor sees Gregor in his physical, hideous transformation, he scurries out of the Samsa’s apartment in complete shock (Gorman, R.F. “Great Lives From History” (2008) Section 1). The sibling bond between Gregor and Grete is explained even further as Gregor is following his district manager out the door, and he stops to think about Grete as the only source of saving him from his current situation. Gregor thought of Grete so she could use her smile, charm and wit, as to persuade his district manager by explaining the probable cause of Gregor’s misfortunes (Gorman, R.F.” Great Lives From History” (2008) Section 1). When Grete fails to catch up with Gregor’s supervisor, as his ran way in fear, it is confirmed in Gregor’s heart that he is definitely an outsider / outcast as his family, and his supervisor run away in fear and disbelief without questioning how or why this transformation happened (Gorman, R.F. “Great Lives From History” (2008) Section 1).

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