ALIENATION, IDENTITY, AND SOCIAL REJECTION IN FRANZ KAFKA’S THE METAMORPHOSIS

Abstract

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis is one of the most influential works of twentieth-century European literature. Although the narrative begins with an extraordinary transformation, its deeper concerns are closely connected with ordinary human experiences such as loneliness, social rejection, family responsibility, and the loss of personal identity. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, gradually becomes separated from his family and from the social world around him after his physical transformation. His changing condition reveals how human value can become connected to usefulness, economic contribution, and social expectations. This article examines the themes of alienation, identity, family relationships, and social rejection in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. It argues that Gregor’s transformation functions not simply as a fantastic event but as a literary representation of psychological and social isolation. The study also considers how Kafka uses symbolism, characterization, and an absurd narrative situation to question conventional ideas about humanity and belonging.