Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is about the classic theme of parent versus child. This conflict is narrowed further to father versus son, demonstrated through Gregor and his father, Mr. Samsa.
Background
Before the story begins, it can be assumed that Mr. Samsa, Gregor’s father, was the dominant figure and breadwinner of the family while the children were growing up. Gregor grows up, joins the military, and is promoted to lieutenant, symbolizing how he no longer wants to be secondary to his father and strives for leadership. While Gregor was in the service, Mr. Samsa was a part of a successful business that ended in a “catastrophe that had plunged [the Samsa family] into bitter despair.” Because of this tragedy, Gregor came back home, marking a transition in the family’s life.
Gregor’s Dominance
When Gregor returns, he puts his family’s comfort before his and “throws himself into a job…work[s] himself up…from minor clerk to traveling salesman.” Gregor was also working in an attempt to pay off his father’s debt, which he predicted would take “another five or six years.” Gregor worked so much that he eventually was able to “cover all the expenditures of the family”. His mother, sister, and even his father all depended on him to be the breadwinner for the family. Despite his family’s dependency on him, it seems he was not appreciated because although his family “accepted the money gratefully… no great warmth came of it.” His actions created conflict between the two men of the household, and his father retreated to a more submissive role, becoming more of a child than a father.
Conflict With Gregor in Control
When Gregor mutates to an insect, tension is once again created between father and son. Mr. Samsa, forced to take action, discusses with his family about their financial situation. Contrary to Gregor’s beliefs, Mr. Samsa reveals that he did not lose everything, but had “some assets.” He had also managed to save money from the surplus of Gregor’s wealth and “it had accumulated into a small principal.” Mr. Samsa had been lying to Gregor through omission, and was in effect using his son for his own profit. Gregor, although happy with his father’s “thrift and prudence,” realizes that he could have used that extra money to get out of his awful job.
Mr. Samsa’s Return to Dominance
Financial Dominance: Mr. Samsa acquires a job as “a bank attendant” symbolizing his process to taking back control of his family. Regaining his stability in the workplace, Mr. Samsa forces Gregor and the rest of the household to become financially reliant (again) on him.
Physical Dominance: As financial tensions increase, the severity of the physical confrontations also increases. In the first confrontation between father and son, Mr. Samsa forces Gregor’s bulk through the narrow space between the bedroom doors, causing Gregor to “[bleed] heavily.”
The second time Gregor makes an appearance, his father gives him a permanent injury (an apple lodged into his back). For a father to throw apples at his own son proves that Gregor is no longer being treated or thought of as their son, but more as a wild beast. Resulting from this incident, his family begins neglecting Gregor by not cleaning up the room or even feeding him.
The last and final time Gregor makes an appearance, his family is disgusted and loathes his presence. They slam the door behind him, not realizing his condition, and he takes his last breath shortly thereafter.
The father versus son theme is taken to the extreme in this short story resulting in the unfortunate death of the son, Gregor.
For full text visit: http://records.viu.ca/~johnstoi/stories/kafka-E.htm
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