The first chapter of the Metamorphosis is full of significant symbols that contribute to the rest of the book. The tone of the text is set from the beginning and is recurring in the first chapter. The narrator's solitary human life is also explained in this section of the text. The idea of ​​absurdism is spread throughout the work as the theme of the book begins to clarify. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The tone of Metamorphosis is set early in the book. In the opening line, Gregor discovers that he has become a giant insect. Kafka says, “One morning, when Gregor Samsa awoke from troubled dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin” (Kafka 1). The verse describes the unnatural event of Gregor's transformation into an insect in a solemn and painless manner. The narrator describes the situation as ordinary, rather than a surprising problem. This created the sense that the narrator predicts that the world will be absurd and messy, rather than judicious and cunning. Gregor absorbs this absurd tone right from the start. When he first notices his transformation, he is not entirely alarmed by it, Gregor dismisses it as a normal sleep disorder, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. He continues with his absurd mentality as the story continues. Gregor's human life is also explained in this chapter, as well as his alienation from the other characters. Gregor begins to think about his job as a street vendor as he lies in bed, unable to walk. He only continues to do this job because of the debts his parents have. Furthermore, since he must always be on the road, the friendships he forms with Gregor during his work are only casual and never close. Kafka says: “…he has been in town for a week now, but he has stayed home every night. He sits with us in the kitchen and simply reads the newspaper or studies the train timetables” (Kafka 9). This quote from Gregor's mother suggests that Gregor already lives his life mostly in isolation. Now Gregor is no longer a physical human being. In this new skin he can't get out of bed and his voice is different, so he can't even communicate with the people around him. Furthermore, when the door is opened and the director and his family see him, they are terrified. These details foreshadow that Gregor's absence from other people's lives will grow more and more. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In summary, the first chapter of Metamorphosis is full of symbolic examples of absurdism. The tone of the work is described at the beginning and is set for the rest of the book. The narrator's human life is also explained, telling readers about his loneliness throughout the story.