Family Relations It The Metamorphisis Essay, Research Paper
In The Metamorphosis Gregors new state both scares and
angers his father eventually resulting in Gregors death.
Gregors father has been long free from working to support
the family and this burden has now been restored by
Gregors metamorphosis.
Mr. Samsa?s dependency on Gregor is shown in his
first appearance in the book were he immediately seems
furious that gregor has so little as missed a train. In an
incredible display of hypocrisy he says ? He?s not well,
sir, believe me, what else would make him miss a train!?
This shows the beginning of the end for Gregor. Gregor is
late for only one day of work and his father reacts as if he
has done something terribly wrong.
As Gregor first reveals his new state we see more
anger and a hint at the violent out burst that would come.
?His father knotted his fist with a fierce expression on his
face as if he meant to knock Gregor back into his room,
then looked uncertainly round the living room, covered
his eyes with his hands and wept till his great chest
heaved.? I interpret his fathers uncertain look and heaving
weep as the sudden realization that Gregor could no
longer work given his new position.
Robert M. Goldenson PH.D.. state that ? Ordinarily
situations that arouse anger pass over quickly, but if they
do not, and the responses persist for a long period, they
may produce psychosomatic symptoms.? This is likely
what occurred in Mr. Samsa?s case. The more time he had
to think about Gregor not bringing in any money but only
taking up a room caused him to see Gregor as a pest or
infestation.
John T. Wood says that ?Anger and fear are two of
the most powerful forces that drive men and other
animals.? This is shown when the unreasonable Mr.
Samsa attacked Gregor with a barrage of apples which
later caused Gregors death. It?s apparent that Gregors
father was waiting for any excuse to be violent with him
by his haste in looking for Gregor when he enters the
house. ?It was clear to Gregor that his father had taken
the worst interpretation of Grete?s all too brief statement
and was assuming that Gregor had been guilty of some
violent act.?
This was the final piece of evidence of Mr. Samsa?s
building anger and fear of his son. Even worse was his
lack of sorrow when Gregor was found dead. ?Now thanks
be to God.? was his comment upon his arrival in Gregors
room showing that his death was both anticipated and
welcome by his father.
Kaempfert, Wade. ?kafka? Major 20th century
writers. Ed. Bryan Ryan. Detroit: Gale Research Inc, 1991
Ellis, John. ? Franz Kafka? European writers Ed.
George Stade. New York: Chartes Scribner?s sons, 1989
Weinstein, Grace People Study People Published
U.S. by E.P. Dutton
Wood, John What Are You Afraid Of? Spectrum, 1976
Roy, Gregor. ?Franz Kafka?s The Metamorphosis?
internet. University of Glaskow