Verified Document

The Metamorphisis Research Analogy Essay

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka A Discussion about the Methods the Narrator uses to Control the Audience's Perceptions and Attitudes about the Characters and Events

The Metamorphosis is a story that makes an interesting use of the third person narrative by narrating the story from a rather unique perspective, but also evolving as the story progresses. In the beginning of the story the narrator is a witness to all events and is described as being limitedly "omniscient," or being knowledgeable about everything that is going on in relation to the story from one perspective. For example, the narrator is able to illustrate to the reader all of the thought and emotions that are held by the protagonist Gregor Samsa, and after his death this perspective is broadened to including the inner most thoughts of other members of the Samsa family as well. The level of understanding that the narrator can share from an omniscient perspective is not unparalleled in a more traditional form of narration and has numerous interpretations and applications. One of the most interesting metaphors that identified in the research in regards to the dynamics that is fully relevant in modern society, is how reciprocal exchange relationships guide capitalistic economic systems in a similar way to reciprocity found in Gregor's relationships.

Effectiveness of the Narrator's Role

Given the novella's popularity and uniqueness, the story has been subjected to numerous analysis over the course of roughly a century. The initial analyses are based on a focus of one of three basic concepts: the "extended metaphor"; the "inverted fairy tale"; the "parable of human irrationality" and it has been said that Kafka's literary uniqueness lies in the fact that he dramatizes conventional figures of speech and endows them with full and consistent detail; his tales act out the implications of metaphors buried in the German idiom (Sokel, 1956). The primary metaphor that illustrated would be that of...

The image of the cockroach expresses two elements of the metamorphosis that the author is trying to make clear; the first is a frightening exterior and the latter is sheer helplessness that is found in the interior of the character that is illustrated in great detail by the uniqueness of the narration.
There are several instances in the story in which Kafka's ethical and epistemological rigor are can be detected and the author himself has illustrated his position through interviews on topics in which his responses illustrated a search for truth and meaning that serve as a central theme in Kafka's life (Beicken, 2012). Obviously, in the story, the author is using the transformation of the character as something of an exercise in the pursuit of self-knowledge and what it means to be human. One occasion he states (Beicken, 2012):

"One should permit a self-knowledge to be finalized in writing only when it can be executed with the greatest completeness, with all the incidental consequences, as well as with entire truthfulness."

This statement was given when Kafka was discussing his own inability to keep a journal and was driven by an intense pursuit of self-knowledge.

Thus the limited omniscient narrative is undoubtedly representative of Kafka's understanding of the subconscious and consciousness spectrum, the "dreamlike inner life," that focuses on the perception of the experience of the characters. This dreamlike state is projected upon the main character's inner conflict which is argued to consist of rebellion against authority or the status quo, and the resulting loyalty to his parents which requires some form of response.

"Gregor's conflicting needs, the need to rebel, and the need to suffer punishment for this rebellion. Above all, by being an unconscious process, the metamorphosis protects him from…

Sources used in this document:
References

Beicken, P. (2012). Kafka's Narrative Rhetoric. Journal of Modern Literature, 398-409.

Kafka, F. (2002). Metamorphosis. Gutenberg Project.

Rhodes, C., & Westwood, R. (2016). The Limits of Generosity: Lessons on Ethics, Economy, and Reciprocity in Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Journal of Business Ethics, 235-248.

Sokel, W. (1956). Kafka's "Metamorphoisis": Rellion and Punishment. Monatshefte, 203-214.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Analogy Just As the Speaker in the
Words: 695 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Analogy Just as the speaker in the song knows that she is a hero to her daughter, so too does the narrator of the essay. The narrator in the essay states her desire "to be her hero, to have no fear, to watch her grow and eventually watch her raise her own children." Similarly, the speaker in the song states, "An' though she'll grow an', some day, leave: Maybe raise a family."

Analogy of Racial Segregation the Consequences of
Words: 1313 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

Analogy of Racial Segregation The consequences of past events can teach us lessons, shaping the way we think today. For instance, racial segregation, which was established by the Jim Crow laws of the Civil War period and ended in the 1960s with the Civil Rights Act, saw the public separation of blacks and whites. Lessons were learned in that the unethical condition of segregation was recognized, but nearly a century

Analogy 1: "You Wouldn't Steal
Words: 2186 Length: 8 Document Type: Term Paper

This discussion of value, however, does not take into account religious viewpoints on the relative value of each human soul. If each embryo is theoretically imbued with a soul and each soul has limitless value, then the balance shifts. Argument from Statistics #1 (total): "In 1976, Washington, D.C., enacted one of the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation. Since then, the city's murder rate has risen 134% while

Analogy Imposing a Law Restricting
Words: 1259 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

This will allow for any criminal acts to be noticed and even prevented. With the same justification, can state propose to install cameras in the individuals' homes and monitor the activity there? Obviously not, and the main argumentation that refutes this is the fact that the individual's home is a private place and, additionally, a place where the individual likes to enjoy his privacy. Continuing with analogies in this area,

OSI Model Analogy -- Indiana
Words: 580 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Next, Dr. Jones takes the map, scans it into an image format and posts it to a secured area of his website. He sends the link to his closest advisors globally and asks them for feedback. He's careful to embed all the information in the actual graphic, not having any text that could potentially be hacked or taken. He also asks for return receipt of each e-mail announcing the map,

Sun Analogies in the Bhagavad-Gita
Words: 1283 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

There they see just how far removed from reality they previously were. In the cave, they knew only shadows of what were only copies of ordinary objects; in the light of the sun they are able to see the objects themselves and finally the sun itself, which gives being to all else. (79) While Plato's forms may be difficult to conceptualize, these remains the perfect embodiment of what these objects

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now