In the journey and experience of Gregor Samsa and Pecola Breedlove a reader can depict the sensation and attributes of alienation, separation, and confusion. In addition, both Gregor and Pecola are faced with the constant rejection and absence not only within their community but within their society as well. However, with these similarities both protagonists are extremely different in their unique ways.
We start off with Gregor Samsa an adult who is conscious to who he is and ultimately meets his death towards the end. Ever since the transformation Gregor didn’t quite understand how this happened or even why. But instead of dwelling of the change he sought out ways to adjust to his new body and becomes concerned on how to support his family. When we look at Pecola we see an adolescent whose deepest desire is to have the “bluest” eye. Through this notion it displays her as a weak and passive allowing her to be mistreated by others, such as, her father, mother and Mr. Yacobowski.
“Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window signs – all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured (Morrison pg. 20).” Pecola being confused about this notion of why this doll is so special she strips the toy down to the point where only a mere round metal piece is left, in which turns into hatred not only to the dolls but towards the white little girls. However, Pecola hatred goes into a false love of becoming just like this doll and Shirley Temple, basically this pure cleanliness blue-eyed white girl and becoming part of society.
Pecola then begins to formulate that her series of bad luck is due to her lack of beauty makes the people around her more beautiful and attractive. “It was as though some mysterious all-knowing master had given each one a clock of ugliness to wear, and they had each accepted it without question…. Dealing with it each according to his way . . . And Pecola. She hid behind hers (Morrison, p. 39).”
On another note, even though his family basically treats him like a slave and uses him for his money. Gregor takes the optimistic role and convinces himself that what he is the best for his family and becomes that low feeble thing we could describe as a bug. Gregor chooses to believe love is a precedent. In page 110 to 111 Frank writes: “Gregor earned so much money that he was able to meet the expenses…. The money was gratefully accepted and gladly given.” This gives us sense that he is pleased to know that his family is using the income for a better cause, although, his family uses the funds for their own self benefit. As the story progress we can see an ironic sense of evolution as Gregor becomes more and more into a human.
A great example of this is displayed on page 111 when Gregor thinks about his sister violin playing and fantasizing giving his sister a musical education. “With his sister alone he remained intimate, and it was a secret plan of his that she, who loved music… should be sent next year to study at the Conservatorium (pg. 111).” This shows an important key and symbol that Gregor views music that can inspire intelligence and opens the mind to new elements. In addition music displays the inner most complexity life of a human, key artist such as Tupac, Cher, and Michael Jackson.
As the story progress Gregor begins to questioning himself asking: “how do I live my life as a human?” However, Grete who is human goes through her own transformation internality and becomes this monstrous bug on the inside. We see example of this when Grete helps her mother remove Gregor possessions from his room which coincidently represents his memories and erasing him from existence.
Displaying all similarities and differences we can clearly see the strength and weakness of both Gregor and Pecola, with their epic and saddening demise, Gregor displays more a proactive symbol of what it means to be human. It is amazing that Gregor gives the gift of music to his sister and for us as humans music is use as a form of expression as well as emotions and shows the innermost passion of who we as people are.