Human alienation in modern society

Human Alienation

All human beings at one time or another feel alienated, isolated from the rest of the world, totally alone and misunderstood. Young children feel that way often, as they realize that their parents, loving as they are, enjoy certain privileges and rights that young people do not. Moreover, no child has been spared completely from peer-induced isolation, for no matter how popular or likable, each child will feel like an outsider when thrust into a new social group. However, nothing could imply total human isolation and separateness than for a man to be miraculously transformed into a giant insect, forever removed from his human brethren through his very DNA. Becoming a non-human creature becomes the ultimate symbol of human alienation in Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis. Kafka's novella deftly describes the nature of human isolation: its causes and its ill effects. Gregor Samsa's physical condition is one of the key causes of his being isolated from his family, even though it becomes clear that Gregor's isolation was in large part self-imposed. Likewise, the Samsa family isolates itself from the world and only after Gregor's death do they break free of their self-imposed alienation. Alienation, however, is mainly a product of human cruelty, imposed on individuals who do not conform to societal norms and standards. Human alienation is often self-imposed, usually imposed on the self by others, and is largely a result of a noticeable deviation from a cultural norm.

One morning, as Gregor Samsa was waking up from anxious dreams, he discovered that in bed he had been changed into a monstrous verminous bug," (Part 1). The first line of The Metamorphosis introduces the theme of human isolation as a direct product of physical deformity or difference. Gregor did not simply lose a limb or acquire disfiguring scars from an accident. Rather, he has changed into a member of an entirely different species. Kafka underscores the nature of human alienation through symbolism and hyperbole, but the message can easily be applied to everyday life. Any person whose appearance differs from the norm will experience isolation and separation. Visible minorities, the physically disabled, and even those who choose to dress or look different will experience social symptoms similar to that which Gregor Samsa did. Gregor's father's reaction to seeing his transformed son is indicative of any human reaction to physical deformity: "His father clenched his fist with a hostile expression, as if he wished to push Gregor back into his room, then looked uncertainly around the living room, covered his eyes with his hands, and cried so that his mighty breast shook," (Part 1).

However, much of Gregor's initial alienation was self-imposed. At no point in the story do any of Gregor's friends come to visit him; Kafka implies that even before the metamorphosis, Gregor's life was lonely and isolated; he spent all his time working so that he could support his family: "he felt a great pride that he had been able to provide such a life in a beautiful apartment like this for his parents and his sister," (Part 2). In fact, Gregor does not appear to have any personal ambitions except to take care of his family. After the transformation, Gregor hides in his room partly to protect his family from his repulsive presence: "Gregor, out of consideration for his parents, did not want to show himself by the window," (Part 2). Gregor also isolates himself to protect against his parents' cruel and harsh reactions to his appearance. Furthermore, Gregor is not used to his new anatomy and has trouble navigating through his small room let alone the larger spaces outside of it. Self-imposed isolation is also demonstrated through the Samsa's unwillingness to leave the house while Gregor is in his insect state. Therefore, Kafka paints human alienation as being partly self-imposed.

Gregor's family reacts poorly to his metamorphosis. While their initial shock is understandable and forgivable, the Samsas further isolate Gregor. "In the first two weeks his parents could not bring themselves to visit him," (Part 2). Even Grete, who at first treats him as kindly as possible, becomes cold. "From this he realized that his appearance was still constantly intolerable to her," (Part 2). Human alienation is imposed from the outside world: not even Gregor's parents could bring themselves to tolerate his unusual appearance and therefore keep him confined to his room. No one can tolerate Gregor; the servant girl "begged for the privilege of being allowed to stay permanently confined to the kitchen," and the boarders flee as soon as they catch sight of the insect (Part 2). So severe is the reaction to Gregor's appearance that his own father hurls apples at him, one of which fatally injures the lonely and isolated Gregor. Human alienation reaches its most severe manifestation through assault and brutality. The Samsas are conscious that their treatment of Gregor is unethical, even as they continue to isolate him by refusing to remove the apple from his flesh: "no one ventured to remove the apple...in spite of his present unhappy and hateful appearance, Gregor was a member of the family, something one should not treat as an enemy," (Part 3). Gregor's family realizes that it was "a requirement of family duty to suppress one's aversion and to endure -- nothing else, just endure," (Part 3).