Kafka's relationship to his father was parallel to that of Gregor and his father. In Kafka's younger years, his father constantly criticized him, especially about his physical appearance. His father would brag about his awesome strength and would say something derogatory towards Franz because of his frail like body. In Crawford's biography about Franz Kafka, it is told that by the time he was six, he was convinced that he was a weakling: his own fathers attitude did this. (17) An example of his fathers attitude is portrayed in the Metamorphosis when Gregor turns into a diseased bug. The depiction of turning into a bug is a display of Kafka's subconscious. It is how he felt about himself based on the treatment he received from his father. The transformation

The inability to take pride in ones self can make you dependent on those around you to make you feel good about yourself. When the failure to find acceptance from those around you fails, the more self-esteem declines. We don't see the failures of parents in this situation, but the person who was failed from their emotional needs not being met. Low-self esteem has been regarded as the center of depression. Not only does it deal with how you feel about what is inside yourself, but how you feel about your physical appearance as well.

Another portrayal of violence by Kafka is when Mr. Samsa throws an apple at Gregor and it becomes lodged in his back. It is the apple that symbolizes the beginning of an exile, or suffering. The apple makes Gregor aware that his life has changed and that he no longer holds the status of son; he isn't of use anymore because he cannot earn money to support his family. His family also realizes this, and his father's attitude towards his job is that of exile, because he is hit by reality when he has no choice but to become employed. It was at this point when Gregor mentally and physically starts to deteriorate. Not only is he rejected by his father, but his sister, who was his favorite, also begins to resent him. Just like Gregor, Kafka was isolated from his three sisters. Gregor's mother begins to ignore his existence as well. But it is not just the transformation that the anger stems from, but the stress of financial stability. Just as Hermann did to Franz, Gregor's entire family depended on him for support. Gregor was expected to get up everyday and go to a job that he hates, just to support his family. He felt used and taken advantage of. But when he transforms, he begins to think about he let his family down because he can no longer work to pay for the debts. These events are exactly the same as what Kafka went through with his family and their financial situation.

of Gregor symbolizes Kafka's fathers opinion of him.

As time goes on, Gregor begins to be referred to as an "it" by his sister who was his favorite and whom he learned to depend on. But to his dismay, she began to reject him as well. This verifies Kafka's feelings of rejection, not just from his father, but from his mother as well. Like Grete, his mother became tolerant of Gregor's existence, and annoyed at the same time because of him being an inconvenience. This shows that while Gregor can be depended on for everything by his family, he does not get the same treatment in return. After everything he does for them, this is how they treat him. Their lack of respect is shown when they begin to move unwanted furniture items, junk and boxes into Gregor's bedroom. This shows that his existence is just tolerated, and not wanted. It wouldn't matter if he was around or not, and he really became a nuisance. This is how Kafka felt in regards to his relationship with his father. He receives no support from him, he may as well not even be around, but just to work and help provide for the family financially. Kafka was looked down upon because he would rather use his time to write, which was a form of expression for him.

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. New York: A Bantom Book, 1915.<

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2177
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)