Metamorphosis\" by Kafka and \"The

¶ … Metamorphosis" by Kafka and "The Dead" by James Joyce

Comparison/contrast on "The Metamorphosis" by Kafka and "The Dead" by James Joyce

The Metamorphosis by Kafka is a story that strikes any reader as something that is more than any entomological fantasy story. Franz Kafka's story earns its status as among the greatest literary works because of several factors. It is an awesome piece of fantasy work, from the abrupt and unexplained transformation of Gregor to the story's plot and juxtaposition of every day's happenings, making the story have fantastic elements that make it compellingly enigmatic. The dead by James Joyce is a story depicting the ever-great affair held annually at the misses Morkan's. The Morkan sisters and their nieces throw the dance party during Christmas and every family member along with friends attends (Joyce 2). It is a lively story centering along the premise of affection and loss of love. It is out of the ordinary romanticism stories written.

The two stories develop through a similar plot, with some aspects of comparison that make them equally similar. The writers, that is James and Kafka exhibit several similarities in the course of the work. It is clear from the plot and mainstream of the story that the two writers have a certain view of love and loneliness. They exhibit their views on love, relations and loneliness. For instance, as the story by Kafka unfolds, Gregor is a sales man. His aim is to become a great merchant as his father was. In the process of conducting his sales adventurers, he alienates himself from his family, friends and even himself. Therefore, he becomes lonely and spends his time alone. This could be the possible cause of his transformation into a bug, although he does not explain. Thus, even before his transformation, Gregor was lonely. After his transformation, he becomes lonelier and hence starts longing for love. Similarly, in the Dead by James, the story focuses around Gabriel and Gretta Conrey (Reiner 7). Gretta during the party at the Morkan's is happy with her husband, Gabriel until she hears the song the Lass of Aughrim (Joyce 5). It reminds her of her former boyfriend, Michael Furey, whom she loved much. However, he died for her while he was only seventeen years. Therefore, James Joyce tells of a story of love and the loss of love hence, loneliness. Therefore, the two writers write story line along a similar main theme.

Additionally, in the course of the story, the two writers show how the process of recovering from loss of love and finding love can be tasking. For instance, the writing by Kafka indicates how Gregor goes about the relations with his relatives and the community around him. The story shows the aspects of communication within the Samsa family, hence developing relationships within the family and friendship ties. Gregor is only close to his sister at first (Theater 1). Therefore, through the story, we get the story on developing relations in the family. Similarly, the relation between Michael, who is dead and Gretta, who is alive shows that some ties are hard to break, even after the long longtime of loneliness; the relation that indicates how loneliness due to a certain situation can lead to re-connection between the two people. Kafka establishes this connection in the relations within the Samsa family after Gregor changes into the bug.

The two stories also show similarity through the theme of the prison of routine. Doing things in routine affects the people who go through the activity. For instance, in the story by Kafka, the routine sales work of Gregor affects his social development and leads him into a life of isolation from family. Similarly, the routine thinking about Michael by Gretta makes it hard for her to forget him. This puts her in the prison of love towards Michael despite him being dead. Therefore, the two stories indicate the aspect of how routine affects the characters lives.

Moreover, there is a significant similarity in their use of language and writing styles. The two writers use symbolism in the narration of their tales. In the Metamorphosis by Kafka, the major symbolism is the metamorphosis of Gregor into the insect (Kafka 15). This shows the changes along which the relations occur. Additionally, the change into the bug shows how the family intruded into a cold life of alienation from each other. Therefore, Kafka applies symbolism throughout his writing. Similarly, the story the Dead by Joyce uses symbolism to show the relations between the dead and the living. Michael is dead; however, the song reminds Gretta of their love. Thus, the use of the song is symbolical. Additionally, through his death, Michael shows greater love for Gretta than Gabriel does; hence, the death of Michael is symbolic of the great love. Therefore, it is clear that the two writers largely apply symbolism in their writings. In addition to symbolism, the two writers use personification. In essence, an insect cannot talk or relate to people; however, Kafka personifies the bug. Similarly, despite Michael being dead, his love for Gretta is greater than that between Gabriel and Gretta. Therefore, Joyce gives the dead ability to express character of being alive. Therefore, it is clear that the two writers largely apply the writing style.