Explain the theme of Work and Identity in Kafkas The Metamorphosis Essay

Explain the theme of Work and Identity in Kafkas The Metamorphosis. How is Kafkas work existentialist - Essay Example Gregor is forced to work hard; â€Å"slavery† can be the best term to describe Gregor’s state in the family. He is forced to make cash for the family members. Gregor is viewed as a source of income to the family but not as a member of it. The family has shown that without money, received from Gregor’s hard work, they have no business in associating with him. The neglect is witnessed after the metamorphosis process. Gregor had to undergo revulsion and neglect from the family members as a result of the metamorphosis process. In addition, the effects of money can be seen to be present in the family immediately they begin working. Work and money has made it difficult for family members to communicate, and to eat together (Kafka par 1). On debt, Gregor longs for the day; he will be able to pay all his debts and quit the job. As long as the debts are owed, Gregor cannot stop working because the family depends on the salary received from the job. Debt and work; denied Gregor the freedom from restrictive demands of the society. During the metamorphosis process, Gregor escapes from the debts and duties which have long troubled him. However, the metamorphosis, which is seen as escapism, does not fully help Gregor in achieving full freedom. The family members have decided to imprison Gregor in his room (Kafka par 4). On existentialism and work, an individual’s destiny depends upon that individual and their ability to make choices. Kafka explains the metamorphosis process in relating the way in which Gregor must work to provide for the family. Family duty had to be done by Gregor. Gregor needed money to provide for the basic need to his parents as well as send the sister to a school. Work and family duty has to be done, despite the challenges being experience. However, the efforts put in place by Gregor in providing for the family is not appreciated. The family sees him as a source of income, slave, and a bother (Kafka par 6). After the

Homelessness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Homelessness - Essay Example His name is John Doe and I have seen him before near Wal-Mart about five blocks away. I have read somewhere that the homeless tend to shy away from public contact. So I was a bit hesitant to approach John. I was, hence, quite surprised and thankful that he was accommodating to my pleasantries. And so, after introducing myself and declaring my intentions, I immediately asked him about his attitudes about other people, if it’s true that they avoid contact or that if he asked for help. He replied that it was obvious: â€Å"You see us, yes? I am not exactly proud of my condition. Even if I am like this, I am ashamed to ask for help. Being homeless is bad enough but being refused help is worse. Dignity is all I have left.† He added that the other homeless he knows have experienced being driven out by relatives and friends while there are those who have simply lost contact with them or that some have simply died. â€Å"Just gone, and we’re alone. That’s the fact.† We chatted further and I found that he has a daughter living in San Diego. He was not keen on talking about her and from the most I could understand from bits of information he was willing to share was that she doesn’t know about his plight and he does not want to trouble her with the new family she’s starting. There was this faraway look in his eyes that perhaps again saw the past regrets. So I asked about more mundane things such as how they eat, sleep and socialize with other homeless people. He told me it depends. Since he is constantly on the move, there is no opportunity for friendship or socialization. â€Å"It is sad that most of the time the only relationship I have with them is driven by competition.† He was referring about food. Also, it appears that there is no social hierarchy among the homeless and that the closest to this would be the kind of territoriality that comes in foraging food and in asking for alms. The