How Does Kafka Present The Bureaucracy In The Metamorphosis
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Franz Kafka, a prominent existential writer, is known for his criticism of the bureaucratic systems that characterize society. This can be observed in The Metamorphosis and as the title suggests, the plot revolves around Gregor Samsa’s physical transformation into an insect, which is a symbolic manifestation of the way bureaucracy views him and makes him feel. Kafka focuses on the hostile nature of bureaucracy and the dehumanizing effects of modern life due to his own experiences as an oppressed worker. In The Metamorphosis, Kafka uses the symbolism of Gregor’s transformation and his profession as a travelling salesman and the conflict between Gregor and the firm’s attorney to illustrate the conflict between bureaucracy and individuality.
Gregor’s transformation is a reflection of how he allows himself to be treated by the bureaucratic system and by his boss. He physically transforms into an insect, a completely new sensation to his formerly human self. He no longer possesses a human body…show more content… It is also ironic due to the fact that as an insect, Gregor also lacks a backbone; as a salesman, Gregor was figuratively spineless as a victim of bureaucracy but he is now physically without a spine. As a traveling salesman, Gregor was a representation of the insect he later became. Gregor is fearful of what his boss will do if he calls in sick, believing that “the boss would certainly come with the doctor from the health insurance company and would reproach his parents for their lazy son, cutting short all objections with the comments from the insurance doctor, who thought everyone was completely healthy but work-shy” (15). This reflects the unsympathetic nature of this bureaucratic company, not even allowing a sick day believing that work was more important than the well-being of their