Existentialism In Kafka's In The Penal Colony And The Metamorphosis

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Philosophers have debated what the meaning of life is; people have also sought equality for centuries. In Kafka’s works, “In the Penal Colony” and “The Metamorphosis”, there is an emphasis on unquestionably following society’s rules resulting in flaws which accompany doing so; mainly injustice resulting from superior authority and the issue of existentialism which arises from being rejected from society, respectively. Kafka demonstrates this through an allegory of religion and the unfulfilled life of an ordinary low-class worker.

In the Penal Colony, the Old Commandant represents God. A “soldier, judge, engineer, chemist, and draftsman” whose actions and thoughts are unquestionable. The Officer treats his incomprehensible diagrams as religious
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What is the purpose of an individual to obey laws in such a place? One portion of the Social Contract Theory in philosophy states that coexistence is actually a benefit for the individual and so the individual is willing to succumb to society’s rules for their own interests. In its core, the society is for the individual as the individual’s interests don’t necessarily matches that of the society’s. For example, Gregory’s interests in “The Metamorphosis” had nothing to do with society’s.

The individual’s interests can be said to be the same as their reason for existing. Throughout, The Metamorphosis, Gregory

A common theme. When you get denied by society the reason to live in this world you start to wonder what is the point of living. A question not pondered by anyone else who believes it 's just naturally to exist. To exist as slaves/lesser beings in a penal colony without basic rights or as a bug confined to his own room while burdening your love ones regardless the right to exist seems unalienable to us nowadays when it really isn 't in both stories. Topic
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The world clearly doesn’t accept the individual. "Guilt is never to be doubted."

The core of socialism is that you should exist to support the society or maintain its functions. Everyone needs to self-sacrifice in order for coexistence to occur where our individual needs can then take priority like basic rights/individual goals. Ultimately we don’t live for society sake though and Gregory shows us by telling us how he hates his job but regardless does it to support his family. Once denied his only motivation for living due to his transformation, not only that but becoming a burden as well and being confined to his room as well he decides to end his meaningless existance. This is emphasized more by the lack of any resemblance of friendship shown throughout the work. No one is curious of his leave or female interests is shown
His family out of sympathy since it’s their son take care of him but regardless had enough and even the little sister that treated him well eventually defends his stay due to ignorance on Gregory’s part of how much of a burden he is.

Metamorphosis has bureaucracy too where the father now has power and a job so Gregory is

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