Gregor vs. Joe The short story, “The Metamorphosis,” discusses how Gregor Sams a wakes up one morning transformed into a giant beetle like insect. As a result of Gregor’s appearance, he faces many obstacles such as loosing his job, communicating with his family, and learning to survive as a bizarre creature. Gregor shows a similar trait to the character; Joe in “Johnny Got His Gun.” These traits entail the solitudes and loneliness of being locked up in your own little world with no communication.
Both Gregor and Joe end up in a situation that neither of them can change. Joe has no limbs and is covered up to his head in bandages. He also has no ways of communication other than the movements of his head to make telegraph signals. Up to Gregor’s transformation, he was an essential part of his family by providing stable income and support. But due to his gruesome appearance, his family and coworkers immediately shunned him. However different from Joe, Gregor was in more of a conscious state, he could almost do everything a normal human could do.
His father and mother kept Gregor locked in his room and continued to ignore his existence while his sister, Grete, attempted to keep Gregor fed. As time passed by, Grete’s efforts to keep Gregor alive diminished. His family neglected him and hastened his death. I think the author’s thoughts on how society reacts towards Gregor’s appearance are very accurate. Everywhere in today’s society, people are judged and treated based upon their outward form. For example, while walking through the halls of Coral Springs High, I overheard a group of kids criticizing a fellow student because of the way he dressed.
The Essay on Kafka’s Metamorphosis: Transformations in Gregor’s Family
While it is evident that the term metamorphosis mainly pertains to the unexplainable changes that Gregor Samsa faced, it may also be said that the other characters experienced a metamorphosis of their own. Specifically, despite Gregor’s misfortune and eventual demise, considerable changes have manifested for the benefit of Gregor’s family such as his father regaining enthusiasm in work ...
Due to the fact that the students were too engulfed in his appearance, they failed to realize that he might actually be a respectable person. This supports Kafka’s notions that society is the most judgmental thing out in the world today. “The Metamorphosis” is a direct example of how society reacts towards those that are different. Though Gregor was the backbone of his family, they failed to continue to acknowledge his inner beauty once his appearance was altered.
