Isolation in The Metamorphosis by Kafka and Heart of...

It is said that no man is an island, and no man stands alone. Hence, true human existence can not prevail positively or productively without the dynamics of society. Yet, this concept is very much a double-edged sword . Just as much as man needs to exist in society and needs the support and sense of belonging, too much social pressures can also become a stifling cocoon of fantasies and stereotypes that surround him. He becomes confined to the prototype of who or what he is expected to be. Thus, because society is often blinded by the realms of the world, its impositions in turn cripples humanity. If he does not conform, he becomes a social out cast, excluded and excommunicated from the fabric of life. The theme alienation in a small†¦show more content†¦On the contrary, in Heart of Darkness, Conrad focuses on the isolation of â€Å"Kurtz† the, main man of the â€Å"Congo†. Conrad’s medium of the river plays a focal point in the setting as a boundary t hat separates Kurtz from civilization. The river â€Å"resembles an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country, and its tail lost in the depths of the land† (10). The expanse of the â€Å"snake-like† river embodies a negative connotation of something sinister and stealthily lurking. While the Congo had been described as being â€Å"one of the darkest places of the earth† (6). This creates feelings of darkness, despair and desolation. Again in Metamorphosis, forces alienation which reveals the cruelty of man, which forces him to question the purpose of his own life. In instances when, â€Å"Gregor had absolutely no intentions of opening the door†¦ locking all the doors† (6). This impacts Gregor by leading him to lock himself away and retreat to his room. What began as imposed isolated, is now becoming self imposed. As a result, he starts to â€Å"feel abandoned in the empty room† where à ¢â‚¬Å"he had been used to his furniture for so long† (Kafka 33). As man continues to live his life according to what society wants rather for his desires. He finds himself settling and conforming, to that which makes him lack individuality and clones him in this single celled world. Even Gregor conforms to his new life as a bug, â€Å"...totallyShow MoreRelatedMetamorphosis and Heart of Darkness836 Words   |  4 Pagesalienation from a small society is depicted through setting by both authors Conrad and Kafka in Metamorphosis and Heart of Darkness. This depiction demonstrates how this isolation has a negative impact on man. As illustrated in Metamorphosis, Kafka demonstrates the isolation of Gregor, the protagonist through the medium of his room. The â€Å"room† symbolizes how Gregor lacks relationship with his surroundings, his family and others. Kafka describes it as being â€Å"A regular human room† with â€Å"the four familiarRead MoreHow to Read Lit Like a Prof Notes3608 Words   |  15 Pageswife)—the determination to remain faithful and to have faith iv. Hector: The need to protect one’s family d. The Underworld—an ultimate challenge, facing the darkest parts of human nature or dealing with death e. Metamorphoses by Ovid—transformation (Kafka) f. Oedipus: family triangles, being blinded, dysfunctional family g. Cassandra: refusing to hear the truth h. A wronged woman gone violent in her grief and madness—Aeneas and Dido or Jason and Medea i. Mother love—Demeter and Persephone 10. It’s more