Exploration of the Common Ground Occupied by the...

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka explores the troubles of a young man named Gregor. The Wasp Factory explores the troubles of a young man named Frank. In Metamorphosis, the protagonist in the story is Gregor Samsa. He is a travelling salesman who awakes one morning to discover he has turned into an insect. It seems that Gregors only use purpose in life is to work and support his family; this seems his own concern when he finds himself as an insect. The next train went at seven oclock; to catch that he would need to hurry like mad and his samples werent even packed up, and he himself wasnt feeling particularly fresh and active Gregor is alienated from by the ones who love him, much like the alienation of Frank in The Wasp Factory.†¦show more content†¦To add to his sense of isolation, Gregor must stand by and watch was is happening silently, he is powerless to speak, complain or criticise. What has happened to me? He thought, this is still in the 3rd person narrative, but gives a feel of being inside the novel. Much like a diary, or a story told by the main character, just like Frank tells his story in The Wasp Factory. At first the mood in Metamorphosis is extremely bizarre and fantastic, created by Gregors transformation in to the insect. However, not long after the transformation, life in the Samsa household mood seems calm again, almost as if nothing has happened, let alone their loved one has turned into an insect, which is totally absurd. We know that Gregor is transformed into a bug, but we are only given a vague indication of what he looks like. The rounded shell indicates to me that he is much like a cockroach. Gregor goes through a physical and mental metamorphosis during the story, just like Frank Cauldhame goes through in The Wasp Factory. In the beginning of the novella, Gregor seams somewhat emotionless, He has no friends, he is not liked a work, he has no ambitions or goals. Before Gregor was transformed he was not respected in the workplace, he was treated like an animal, an insect that wasnt worth the hassle. Once Gregor has gone through his transformation, he is also transformed mentally too. He spends most of his time listening and observing his family.