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Submission In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

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Submission is a major theme that is displayed in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. According to biblical passages, ‘submission’ is defined as making a choice that results in placing others above yourself and this is exactly what Gregor does throughout the novella. In Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s Venus in Furs, the story starts off with a man talking to the Goddess of Love about submission to female authority. She claims that a woman must treat a man like a slave and a plaything because her cruelty will secure his love and admiration. Her concept of submission illustrates Gregor’s relationship with his family. The goddess begins by saying that no northerners are able to understand the concept of love. The man argues that …show more content…
Nonetheless, he was considered useful since he was able to provide for them. However, after Gregor’s metamorphosis, he becomes a liability and distresses his family. His transformation eventually pushes them to neglect him more and more. As a result, he enters a submissive relationship and tries to prove his usefulness as an insect. Despite their cruelty, he continuously places their needs above his own comfort. In Kafka’s novella, Gregor’s behavior toward his family shows that he takes pleasure in submitting to female authority because he gains something out of it. For instance, as Grete begins to play her violin for the three guests at the house, Gregor remembers how he wanted to send her to the Conservatory as soon as he saved up enough money from the job he hates. Although he struggles to move after his injury, he decides to leave his room because he imagines that if he could just crawl up to his sister and tell her of his plans, then she would love him again. Both as a human and an insect, Gregor places Grete’s happiness above his own comfort. He submits to her because he hopes to gain her love and the return of his humanity. At first, he raises the question, “Was he a beast that music so moved him?” (Kafka 39). Ironically, by giving into his “animal instinct,” he is able to find the bits of humanity left in him. The source of his humanity is in his ability to feel the things he did when he was human. He

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