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  • Essay / Symbolic Examples of Absurdism in Metamorphosis by F. Kafka

    The first chapter of Metamorphosis is full of significant symbols that contribute to the rest of the book. The tone of the text is set from the beginning and is recurring in the first chapter. The narrator's lonely human life is also explained in this section of the text. The idea of ​​absurdism is scattered throughout the work as the theme of the book begins to take hold. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The tone of Metamorphosis is set early in the book. In the first sentence, Gregor discovers that he has become a giant insect. Kafka says: “One morning, when Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin” (Kafka 1). The line describes the unnatural event of Gregor transforming into an insect in a solemn and painless manner. The narrator describes the situation as ordinary rather than an astonishing problem. This gave the impression that the narrator anticipates that the world will be absurd and messy, rather than judicious and astute. Gregor absorbs this absurd tone from the start. When he first notices his transformation, he is not completely alarmed by it, Gregor treated it as a normal sleep disorder, as if it were not unusual. He continues with his absurd state of mind as the story continues. Also in this chapter, Gregor's human life is explained, as well as the alienation towards him compared to the other characters. Gregor begins to think about his job as a traveling salesman as he lies in bed, unable to walk. He only continues this work because of his parents' debt. Additionally, because he always has to travel, Gregor's friendships that he forms during his work are only occasional and never close. Kafka says: “…he's been in town for a week now but he stays home every night. He sits with us in the kitchen and just reads the newspaper or studies the train timetable” (Kafka 9). This quote from Gregor's mother suggests that Gregor already lives his life primarily in isolation. Now Gregor is no longer a physical human. In this new skin, he is unable to get out of bed and his voice is different, so he can't even communicate with the people around him. Furthermore, when the door is opened and the manager and his family members see him, they are terrified. These details suggest that Gregor's absence in the lives of others will continue to grow. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In summary, the first chapter of Metamorphosis is full of symbolic examples. absurdism. The tone of the work is set at the beginning and is set for the rest of the book. The narrator's human life is also explained, telling readers about his loneliness throughout the story..