In the beginning of the novel, Gregor and his father's role in the house could not be different. We see Gregor as hard working and fully dedicated to his work. Herr Samsa is the mirror of that; he is portrayed as lethargic and sorta riding on the work that Gregor does for financial support.
The reaction that Gregor has when he first finds out that he is a roach is indicative to the work ethic that he has trained himself to have. His only thought is how to make this better so that he continue to work, only proving financial precedent. "At that time Gregor’s sole desire was to do his utmost to help the family to forget as soon as possible the catastrophe that had overwhelmed the business and thrown them all into a state of complete despair". He is only worried about how he can make things work, how to get to work ASAP, and the ways that he can continue to support his family and the dream that he has for his sister. We noted in class that this was a very insect like reaction to his life purpose. Insects fall into very systematic roles, ones where they are always working and that is their duty to the colony.
As the book progresses, so do the roles of all of the characters. Each character is forced to take on a new responsibility now that the financial reliance on Gregor is out of the picture. At the end of the novel, we see Herr Samsa sleeping in his uniform. I read this not only as an affirmation of his power, but also an insect like response to duty. He, like Gregor was consumed by their duty. By wearing his uniform, he was defining himself by his job as a bank messenger, as well as constantly reminding those around him of his duty. Additionally, he does not have the human response to hygiene, he ignores that his uniform is filthy in order to maintain the material representation of his duty - this too to me was very insect like. Just as Gregor is represented by his job, Herr Samsa has come full circle and seemingly began to portray a similar phenomenon.
The reaction that Gregor has when he first finds out that he is a roach is indicative to the work ethic that he has trained himself to have. His only thought is how to make this better so that he continue to work, only proving financial precedent. "At that time Gregor’s sole desire was to do his utmost to help the family to forget as soon as possible the catastrophe that had overwhelmed the business and thrown them all into a state of complete despair". He is only worried about how he can make things work, how to get to work ASAP, and the ways that he can continue to support his family and the dream that he has for his sister. We noted in class that this was a very insect like reaction to his life purpose. Insects fall into very systematic roles, ones where they are always working and that is their duty to the colony.
As the book progresses, so do the roles of all of the characters. Each character is forced to take on a new responsibility now that the financial reliance on Gregor is out of the picture. At the end of the novel, we see Herr Samsa sleeping in his uniform. I read this not only as an affirmation of his power, but also an insect like response to duty. He, like Gregor was consumed by their duty. By wearing his uniform, he was defining himself by his job as a bank messenger, as well as constantly reminding those around him of his duty. Additionally, he does not have the human response to hygiene, he ignores that his uniform is filthy in order to maintain the material representation of his duty - this too to me was very insect like. Just as Gregor is represented by his job, Herr Samsa has come full circle and seemingly began to portray a similar phenomenon.
This is an interesting piece of the story, and certainly not a coincidence. That said, there are some differences. Gregor seems less enthusiastic about his job than Herr Samsa, but that might just be that the newness of the job has not been worn down by years of monotony. It's interesting to see how the story circles back on itself in this way as well as with the rise and fall of each part mirroring one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a really interesting way of looking at things. Gregor's transformation from being the sole breadwinner of the family to being very dependent on them, even for food, is sort of like his father's change from eating breakfast all morning and reading the newspaper to constantly being tied to his job (like you said, he even falls asleep in his uniform), in reverse. Though, I don't really think this shows the similarities between the two, but rather how life changes and they react to Gregor's new state and his inability to work any more. That is, it speaks more to the metamorphosis and its effects.
ReplyDeleteThis is a strange way of reading the story, but I can see where you're coming from. The father is very much responsive to his new duty as money-maker. However, I would argue that he isn't insect-like as Gregor was. Instead, he is unhappy that he is forced to give up his long breakfasts, and resentful of Gregor for not being able to work. Their roles are closely related, but the father is less willing, and I could only picture him as the queen ant.
ReplyDeleteNice post! This is a very interesting way of looking at the story's arc. This could relate to Kafka's criticism of American working life as monotonous and insect like, and how it doesn't just affect people one at a time, but connects to their families and is this ongoing circle that doesn't stop.
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting how Gregor's insect-like role was transferred to his father, although his mother and sister both start working, and neither of them exhibit signs of insect-like dedication to work. I wonder if it's just the heads of the household who Kafka sees to be insects, or perhaps it has something to do with gender. It's interesting to think about how the implications of gender and responsibility change Kafka's view of a worker.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting how the insect mentality is transferred to who ever is financially providing for the family. Perhaps losing Gregor forced Herr to change his lazy habits and start working. Maybe the family's reliance on Gregor was actually a negative thing keeping them from reaching their full potential. Because Gregor is gone, They are now opened to this new lifestyle that is healthier, which is symbolized through the scene were the family goes outside together.
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