he Deeper Meaning and Conclusion of Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”. Choose just ONE of the stories we read by Bierce, Gilman, Ellison, O’Connor, or Kafka. Write an essay that critically analyzes the story’s deeper theme AND explains the story’s conclusion.  According to your interpretation, what is the deeper meaning of the story?

QUESTION

Essay Prompt:

Choose just ONE of the stories we read by Bierce, Gilman, Ellison, O’Connor, or Kafka. Write an essay that critically analyzes the story’s deeper theme AND explains the story’s conclusion.  According to your interpretation, what is the deeper meaning of the story?  Make sure you don’t simply summarize the story’s plot or retell the entire story.  Imagine your highly intelligent friends read the story but did not understand anything but the basics of the plot.  Draw their attention to important textual details and provide a clear and smart explanation of what the author you believe was trying to say by writing this story.  Important things happen in the conclusion of each story, so also make sure you spend at least a paragraph explaining the ending.  A good place to start is to write a thesis sentence that directly makes an argument about the story’s deeper meaning.

Paper format/requirements:

The paper should be 4 full pages of writing before the Works Cited page. You are expected to write a complete essay consisting of an introduction, thesis, body paragraphs, conclusion, and works cited.  Each body paragraph should have a strong topic sentence and focus on arguing/analyzing a single point. Try to use textual evidence such as quotations as much as possible to support your argument.  Always make sure to carefully explain and analyze the quotations afterwards.  No outside research is required or rewarded.

Grading:

Your grade will be based on the insightfulness of your critical thinking and the quality of your writing.  In your interpretation of the story, be sure to make an argument that is clear, complex, and thorough.  Avoid stating the obvious, relying on cultural clichés, and reducing the complexity of the story’s ideas.  Especially avoid carelessly repeating what you may have found from online sources. Your essay needs to not only follow the rules of grammar but also demonstrate your control over style.  Although you may be incorporating many details and quotations from the story into your essay, you need to make sure the writing remains smooth and appealing.

On Avoiding Plot Summaries:

While your body paragraphs might be organized around particular scenes in the story (especially the story’s conclusion), you need to spend most of your essay analyzing what the story means.  You may need to refer to details about the plot that are necessary to support your argument, but do not let your paragraphs simply summarize or retell the plot.  Each body paragraph therefore should have a topic sentence that makes an argumentative claim rather than just summarizes the plot.

Bad topic sentences that are just plot summary:

Next, the narrator of “Battle Royal” dives for coins on an electric rug.

After Gregor scares his mother, his father violently pushes him back into his room.

Good topic sentences that make an argument:

The electric rug symbolizes the false promises of economic opportunity that the African American community received.

Gregor’s father not only financially exploits him but also treats him in a violent, unloving manner.

ANSWER

The Deeper Meaning and Conclusion of Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”

Introduction

Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” is a profoundly thought-provoking story that delves into the existential themes of alienation, identity, and the human condition. Through the transformation of the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, into a giant insect, Kafka explores the absurdity of life and the inherent isolation and insignificance of individuals within a society. This essay will critically analyze the deeper theme of the story and provide an explanation of its conclusion, shedding light on the author’s intended message.

Deeper Meaning

At its core, “The Metamorphosis” reflects the dissonance between individual desires and societal expectations. Kafka uses Gregor’s transformation as a metaphorical device to illustrate the loss of identity and the dehumanizing effects of conformity. Gregor’s metamorphosis represents the external manifestation of his inner alienation, mirroring the sense of entrapment and estrangement he feels within his own existence.

Throughout the story, Kafka employs various symbols and motifs to convey the deeper meaning. Gregor’s bedroom, which becomes his prison, symbolizes the boundaries and limitations imposed by societal norms. The apple thrown by Gregor’s father that ultimately leads to his physical deterioration represents the burden of familial responsibility and the destructive nature of expectations.

Additionally, the treatment of Gregor by his family and society further underscores the theme of alienation. His family’s initial shock and subsequent rejection of him symbolize their inability to accept his transformation, highlighting the difficulty of connecting with others when one deviates from societal norms. Moreover, Gregor’s isolation in his own room reflects his growing detachment from the outside world and his gradual loss of humanity.

Conclusion

The conclusion of “The Metamorphosis” is both tragic and profound. Gregor’s death marks the culmination of his transformation and the ultimate liberation from his physical and emotional confinement. Kafka’s decision to end the story with Gregor’s demise reinforces the bleakness of his existential condition. However, the final scene also offers a glimmer of hope as the family experiences a sense of relief and a newfound opportunity for freedom from the burdensome presence of Gregor.

The ending serves as a catalyst for the family’s transformation, highlighting the theme of personal growth and adaptation. They symbolically shed the remnants of their previous lives, enabling them to pursue their own desires and aspirations. Through Gregor’s sacrifice, the family confronts the consequences of their actions and is forced to reevaluate their relationships, priorities, and the oppressive societal norms that dictated their lives.

In essence, Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” serves as a powerful critique of society’s dehumanizing effects, urging readers to question the arbitrary nature of societal expectations and the impact they have on individual identity. The conclusion prompts reflection on the transformative power of adversity and the potential for personal growth and liberation from societal constraints.

Conclusion

“The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka offers a profound exploration of existential themes, presenting a scathing critique of societal norms and the dehumanizing effects of conformity. Through Gregor Samsa’s transformation and the subsequent events, Kafka invites readers to reflect on their own existence, the constraints imposed by society, and the quest for individual identity. The story’s conclusion, marked by Gregor’s death and the family’s liberation, serves as a catalyst for personal growth and the reevaluation of oppressive societal norms. Kafka’s narrative serves as a stark reminder of the absurdity and isolation inherent in the human condition, urging readers to challenge and transcend societal expectations in the pursuit of self-discovery and authenticity.