The Metamorphosis: Difference between revisions

The theme of humanity is shown in the story by how it is taken away from Gregor.  His humanity is slowly taken away from him throughout the story not just by his transformation into a bug.  Gregor’s first link to humanity that is taken away was that of him being the bread winner for the family.  “Gregors humanity, to the extent that his parents and sister acknowledge it, is inextricably tied to his function as economic provider.” (Rowe).  Later in the story more is pulled away when Grete begins taking objects out of his room.  This made Gregory reminisce about his human life.  “They were clearing his room out, taking everything that was dear to him…”(p.1985).  Here the last things that ever tied him to having a human existence were removed. When a person is inflicted with a severe illness it is easy for those around that person to be horrified by that person’s appearance (Rowe). The ill patient can not defend his or herself so the people around do not think about how the patient feels (Rowe). This causes the patient to lose their humanity (Rowe). Gregor is inflicted with a unique illness but the outcome is the same. The most famous occurrence of a patient losing their humanity is that of Terry Schiavo. Everybody had their own opinion of Shiavo’s fate. Schiavo could not defend herself or give her opinion of her fate. That situation was turned into a political circus and ultimately stripped Schiavo of her humanity. Rowe states that The Metamorphosis warns against this treatment of people with illnesses.