IMAGERY IN THE STRANGER AND THE METAMORPHOSIS

The first image I noticed immediately was family. It was used as a means of security to provide to the characters. If someone has a dysfunctional family or even no family, then he/she will be lonely and insecure. Meursault’s family really wasn’t there for him, even though they were supposed to. At home, “Maman used to spend her following me with her eyes, not saying a thing.(5)” He was not crying at the funeral for his mother, “…just sat there like that for quite a while.(11)” He didn’t seem to care about her anymore. He grew up to not be really religious or emotional. On pg. 6, he said “While not an atheist, Maman had never in her life given a thought to religion.” This led him to be the person he is now. He doesn’t have an imagination or even comprehends what he is seeing. He is an unloving, indifferent, and cold person who never spent time with people. As for Gregor, he provided security for his family before, but now the family is keeping him safe. In other

The image of the window flows from the image of the room in the way that it offers the characters a way out from their room. The window is a symbol of calmness and freedom. In The Stranger, Meursault looked out the window with a whim to go out in freedom, but never gave it a thought because he was too inhibited and isolated. He would try to find something to complain about as an excuse. “It was a beautiful afternoon. Yet the pavement was wet and slippery.(21)” He decided to just watch and didn’t do anything to socialize with other people. He may actually prefer it that way. He can watch the city life without listening to the disturbing noises, so the window can represent calmness. Gregor kept looking out the window as if it were a way out. He becomes forlorn looking at the same thing everyday and he just gives up. He couldn’t do anything about it. He would “lean against the window, evidently in some sort of remembrance of the feeling of freedom he used to have.(29)” I feel that way sometimes. I have a bank account, but I can’t use it because my parents are strict and possessive. I don’t feel as if I am free and I don’t think they are giving me any responsibilities. The same thing was with Gregor after his metamorphosis.

words, the family was dysfunctional before and now they are getting on the right track, in the sense that they began assuming job positions, so as to take care of Gregor and help him out with paying the family debt that had accumulated over the years. “His mother…sewed delicate lingerie for a clothing store; his sister, who had taken a job as a salesgirl.(40-41)” Before Gregor’s sudden change, he worked to provide money for the family, but now they provide him food and shelter, though with hesitation. This reminds me of my own family. Everyone has a role in the household and we depend on each other. So if one person doesn’t do what they’re supposed to do, then the unit falls apart.

The image of the room/personal space was apparent in both novels. Both characters stayed in a room, like their own little world. Meursault was in his own room, watching the world pass by. On pgs. 21-24, the author describes how Meursault is just sitting down and watching families and sports players walk by, enjoying life. It was his choice to stay isolated from the world and to keep his life bland. But thinking about it, it was the only place where he could take a break and just sit and watch, showing no emotions, as in the funeral scene, where no one could watc

Some topics in this essay:
Stranger Metamorphosis, Stranger Meursault, Lastly Gregor, Meursault Gregor, , gregor forced, worker ant, family family, person doesn’t, book cover, books common,