exist

This week we learned about existentialism and the idea of empathic civilization. Existentialism is a very complicated concept, but from what I understood, it is basically about human existence and the choices people make to lead them through life and the journey it holds. These ideas directly relate to The Metamorphosis. We discussed how the story could evoke one of two reactions in a reader; an apathetic feeling towards Gregor, or an empathetic feeling towards Gregor. If the reader does not feel empathy, Kafka is making an example of them, as what we need to change about society. The video we watched about empathic civilization is saying the same thing; how we need to learn and grow as a society to be empathic towards our species, other animals, plants, our earth as a whole. 

 

Existentialism is an important concept to be related to The Metamorphosis. It can be seen in a couple of different ways. Some would argue that Gregor had what happened to him (becoming a bug, being rejected by his family, dying) coming to him because of the choices he mad. He made the decision to live with his parents and pay off there debt. He also made the decision to shut his family out in a way, by working endless hours, and locking his bedroom doors at all times, and never spending time with them. The way Gregor decided to exist (according to existentialism) lead to his downfall and demise.