Perceptions Of The Outsiders In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

It is a frequent occasion where people with different opinions, ways of thinking, or appearances from others might feel excluded and like an outsider. Outsiders are individuals who are misjudged by their appearance, race, or behavior. People tend to misjudge outsiders before getting to know them, and often see them as people of not much value. In “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka the protagonist Gregor Samsa wakes up in the beginning in the story as an insect. He determines to keep living his daily life as a traveling salesman, however his family can't seem to see past Gregor’s hideous appearance, and tries to get rid of him various times throughout the story. Similar to the way Gregor is misjudged by his family, people of color and immigrants …show more content…
His family no longer treats him like the hard working and honorable son he is, but instead like a worthless insect. He soon becomes isolated from his family and adapts to being on his own in his bedroom. For example in one instance in the story, his father desperately doesn't want Gregor in his sight. “He now drove Gregor forward… Now it was no longer a joke, and Gregor forced himself, come what might, into the door. One side of his body was lifted up. He lay at an angle in the door opening. His one flank was sore with the scraping. On the white door ugly blotches were left. Soon he was stuck fast and would not have been able to move any more on his own. Then his father gave him one really strong liberating push from behind, and he scurried, bleeding severely, far into the interior of his room. The door was slammed shut with the cane, and finally it was quiet.” (page 151) Gregor’s father tries his very best throughout the story to keep Gregor away from his mother and sister. He believes that Gregor is a nuisance and no longer the hard-working son that he was once proud of. Finally, his family attempts to get rid of Gregor because they believe that he does nothing but cause harm to them. “It must be gotten rid of” cried the sister……...this animal plagues us. It drives away the lodgers, will obviously take over the entire apartment, and leave us to spend the night in the alley. Just look …show more content…
Although some defaults such as slavery, segregation, and Jim Crow laws are no longer a problem in the United States, racism is still unfortunately a huge problem all over the world. And most of it is directed towards people of color and immigrants alike. For example students of color are seen as less proficient than white students. For example, in an article from the New York Times titled “Why Talented Black and Hispanic Students Can Go Discovered” researchers stated that “teachers and parents were less likely to refer high ability blacks and Hispanics, as well as children learning English as a second language for I.Q testing” (Dynarski). This explains how many school systems don't recognize the potential that some students have to become future professionals simply because of their skin color and/or ethnicity. They see these students as outsiders that have no potential to excel in school and go to college. In addition, color students are also searched more than white students. According to a student-created flyer handed out at school, LAUSD records and students’ comments state that, “searches happen more often in schools with many Black students” and “Muslim students get targeted for searches based on stereotypes that they are dangerous.” This demonstrates that students of color aren't even safe at their schools and can't learn because they are being targeted with these