Existentialism “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect. He was lying on his hard, as if it were armour-plated, back and when he lifted his head a little he could see his dome-like brown belly divided into stiff arched segments on top of which the bed quilt could hardly keep in position and was about to slide off completely. Hi numerous legs, which were pitifully thin compared to the rest of his bulk, waved helplessly before his eyes.” - Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis (1916)

Martin Heidegger (1899-1976) Karl Jaspers (1883-1969)

Background Born between the world wars – witnessed irrationality and terror of fascism etc. Existentialism is another philosophical, religious, and artistic movement that has its modern roots in France and Germany. Although it dates to the early 1800s, existentialism gained its most popular form in the writings of French writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus in the years following WWII.

Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980)

Existentialism Alienation or Estrangement Existentialists… believed that people are “created” by the experiences they undergo. made choices that give life meaning. Did not believe in God, but rather felt that human beings were free to make their own moral choices in life. In another words… Alienation or Estrangement

Ex. #1 Relationship with his family Gregor is taking over his father's responsibilities leaving nothing for Gregor's father to be responsible for. Gregor is making plans to send his sister to a good school, but he fails to discuss this idea with her.  To make things worse, Gregor even goes as far as to lock his own bedroom doors at night.  He thinks that his family is content with what he is doing, but the only thing that Gregor accomplishes is to alienate himself from his family.

Ex. #2 Social life Gregor goes on many trips for his job, and instead of going out to meet people, he stays at the motel and does nothing. For this reason Gregor doesn't have a friend that he can find support in.  He follows the same routine everyday of his life and fails to look ahead into the future.   By secluding himself like this, Gregor's life becomes like the life of a cockroach.  It is for this reason that he transforms into this creature.

EX. #3 Life after the metamorphosis Whenever Gregor tries to communicate with someone, the only thing that comes out of his mouth are cockroach noises that scare his family. his appearance causes his family to not want be around him. His sister tries to take care of him, but eventually she becomes weary of this never ending task and forgets about him.  Gregor is once again alienated from his family and the rest of society.