The Metamorphosis/Imagery

Franz Kafka, the author of The Metamorphosis, heavily uses imagery to describe Gregor, the main character. Imagery is used to provide the reader with an insight of the struggles that Gregor must face while living his life as a cockroach. The images give a deeper view, create a connection with the main character, and because he is a cockroach this was a very important element of the novel.

It seems like it would be impossible to build a reading connection with a cockroach, and it would have been without all the intense struggles stated in such a graphic way. In the beginning, Gregor receives help from his caring sister in many ways imaginable, such as food and a clean room, but eventually she begins to deprive him of those things, which obviously are necessary for him to survive. After this occurs, the furniture is removed from his room, and the hateful feelings that come from his father are more greatly expressed. Throughout all of these negative events, imagery is the main literary element that makes everything make sense on an emotional and realistic way for the reader. Without the images, this particular novel would only be about a man who turned into a bug, but when his life is so vividly described, it has the same storyline, but a much deeper connection and thrilling story is created.