Essay About Franz Kafka And Kafkas Early Writings

Metamorphisis
Essay Preview: Metamorphisis
Report this essay
“Metamorphisis” and its psychoanalytic influence.
Although Franz Kafka lived alone in some degree of self-imposed isolation for
much of his life, Kafka did have many interests. He studied Einsteins theory of relativity
and Freuds as well as Jungs writings on psychoanalysis. Kafkas early writings clearly
reflect his skepticism and the pain he feels from his social and parental isolation. In fact,
most of Kafkas writing is filled with anxiety, largely caused by his tyrannical father and
his uncertainty about his bachelorhood. Kafkas “Metamorphosis” reveals certain
psychoanalytical influence of his time.
We can see how Kafka applies his Freuds influences in “The Metamorphosis”.
He transforms his main character into an insect because that is probably the lowest form
of life. According To Freud, “unconscious conflicts over repressed wishes may express
themselves in dreams and “Freudian slips;”. Even though in this scenarion Kafka makes a
dream into a reality, the concept is still the same. Gregor feels like he is worthless and
therefore is a bug at the bottom of the natural order. He appears to have a sense of
isolation who is driven to work long hours in meaningless jobs around people who only
care about themselves. Through Gregor, Kafka presents a totally tragic view of mans
existence.