... by quitting it all. His transformation could mean how society can compare him to a cockroach for his giving up on them and treat him as if he was less than human. In reading Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka one could presume the theme to be a criticism of society. Throughout this story Kafka shows how society can be split into different sections. In reading this first ... portion of the story one would be led to believe that Kafka is making a statement of how the working man feels that his life, and others ... him as a disgusting figure, one that can do nothing but live off others. At this...

• Word Count: 824
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... much like other writers do also. However, one novella in particular took an awkward approach to expressing his feelings of alienation. This tale, "The Metamorphosis", tells a story of a man and his separation from human beings but mainly his family. Franz Kafka, always an outsider and growing up ... could not bemoan upon your breast." (Kafka 87) In his letter to his father, Franz dealt with many issues referred to indirectly in The Metamorphosis. Among other subjects, his fear of marriage, his desire for escape and independence, all disguised as symbols and metaphors. His general lack of...

• Word Count: 1834
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

I have always been struck by the incredible volume and variety of Kafka criticism and theory that is available. What I have found particularly frustrating is the ultimate inadequacy, however well-written, of such writing. There are seemingly as many different schools of thought and "interpretations" of Kafka as there are words in the English language. What I have come to realize is that this was always already ... , between "reader" and "text." It is as impossible for us to stop interpreting Kafka as it is for us to stop interpreting language; just as we cannot look at a word on a page and not...

• Word Count: 945
• Approx Pages: 4