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Study Guide
The Metamorphosis Isolation
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Isolation
Early in The Metamorphosis, we learn that Gregor wishes to quit his job and be free of his family obligations. Be careful what you wish for.
Being turned into a bug takes care of this problem for Gregor—you could say it's overkill. Gregor's physical isolation from the outside world in his room speaks to his general alienation from modern society, which expects him to work hard and find a wife. Despite the fact that he's finally gotten his wish, Gregor is overwhelmed with feelings of guilt and shame at being—literally—a parasite to his family. In the bleak world of the novella, happiness is impossible because the needs of the individual and society are irreconcilable yet equally compelling.
Questions About Isolation
- Do you think Gregor was a loner to begin with, or do you think his isolation is caused by his transformation?
- How do characters such as Grete, the cleaning woman, and Mr. and Mrs. Samsa include or exclude Gregor from human society? What are the different ways that they ease or aggravate his loneliness?
- What is the effect of isolation and solitude on Gregor's state of mind? Do you think his loneliness makes it easier or harder for him to forget his human side and embrace his insect side?
Chew on This
Gregor's life as a vermin is a metaphor for feelings of alienation and isolation that existed long before his transformation.
The devolution of Gregor's room from a human bedroom to a storage closet reflects how his connection to human society deteriorates as the story progresses.