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Kafka

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“In Kafka’s stories dehumanization is an inevitable side-effect of society” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

It is very clear in the beginning of The Metamorphosis that the transformation of the main character into a large bug is used to symbolize that he is controlled by his job, and quite literally dehumanizes him. The author talks about his transformation early on in the book when he had just woken up in the morning. “He found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin”. It is unclear what this transformation symbolizes at first, but soon we begin to realize that he has worked like a "bug" for much of his life and his work dehumanizes him.
It is arguable that that the author may be indicating that a bugs life is more desirable than a humans life. An animal’s life would stereotypically be to sleep, eat and reproduce, different from the stresses of a human’s life if work and stress. The author may view dehumanization in a positive light, as the book progresses and the main character become more content with the changes to him. “One could breathe more freely”. Dehumanization as a physical sense allows for more freedom and less restriction upon the character.
The author may be implying that the main character turning into a giant bug has been stripped off his human qualities which are the result on over working. The dehumanization on the main character is evident in the first thoughts of his, “oh God, what an exhausting job I’ve picked on!” The author may have intended to attack society on what priorities are set in life. Rather than spending more time and effort with making a living , enjoy living a appreciate those around you before it is all lost. This is the result at the end of the novel as he dies.
The metamorphosis may be a representation of the side effect of family conflict which the author experienced himself. The main

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