ABSTRACT:The Metamorphosis is one of the great masterpieces of Franz Kafka, who, by   employing his unique artistic techniques and narrative methods, designed an absurd plot in which man is turned into an insect, with the intent to expose the human alienation in the social environment, thus resulting in readers’ reconsideration of human beings and insects. This thesis studies the relationships between human beings and insects from the perspective of alienation. The alienation mentioned here refers to the social alienation, labor alienation and as a result the further alienation of humanity. The alienation of course leads to self-abandonment and the loss of personality. So difference disappears between human beings and insects. Gregor’s turn into an insect, his physiological and psychological change after becoming an insect, his acceptation of and adaptation to the life of being an insect and the change of the relationship between Gregor and other people in the story suggest that humans have the characteristics of insects. Humans do not understand the importance of actively fighting against and escaping from the circumstances of being alienated. They even do not realize that they have been alienated step by step unconsciously. So they have no intention of escaping from it. Franz Kafka implies that people have lost the ability of thinking and fighting and they have lost the basic ability of human beings, becoming the week creatures to be exploited and oppressed as the insects. Similarities do exist between human beings and insects. 

Keywords: The Metamorphosis; alienation; similarities; human beings; insects

Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 An introduction to Franz Kafka and The Metamorphosis-1

1.2 Significance of the Research-1

2 Literature Review-2

3 Man and Himself-3

3.1 Labor alienation of people-3

3.2 The Loss of Self-awareness of people-5

4 Alienation of Relationship between People-6

4.1 Relationship between Gregor and his boss-6

4.2 Relationship between Gregor and his sister-7

5 Similarities of Human Beings and Insects-8

5.1 Gregor’ s acceptance of being an insect-8

5.2 Gregor’ s adaptation to the life of insects-9

6 Similarities of Human Beings and Insects-10

References-12