The nature of existence; and more precisely, the nature of humans and animals is that of selfish survival. In literature, we see this idea through novels like Heart of Darkness which takes a historical and realistic approach to the concept, and also The Road which takes this idea to the extreme, set in a post-apocalyptic world. The Metamorphosis poses a question about the nature of existence in terms of a person's value to society. Franz Kafka places his protagonist, Gregor, in a bizarre situation to answer this question about the nature of existence through the novel. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Metamorphosis conveys a message and judgment about society through the story of a family that violates the archetypal family order in which the father is the head of the family; in this family the father figure is Gregor, the son, who represents the only source of support and income. Gregor's peculiar transformation into an insect creates conflict between father and son regarding the restoration of the family's symbolic order; the father's law and conveys the central theme of the novel: a person's value in society is equal to how much others value him or her. The source of the conflict between Gregor and his father is the role reversal of the two character archetypes. Gregor is the only member of the family who works, which is in stark contrast to the symbolic order in which the father is the main breadwinner of the family. Gregor's first thoughts when he wakes up like an insect are about his job: "What is a strenuous career, I have chosen." Gregor unconsciously values ​​and prioritizes his career over his state of being because he needs to "pay [his] parents' debt" and support his family. This characteristic of Gregor is the foundation of his father's resentment and the only value Gregor has for the family; establishing how he reacts to Gregor's transformation. Gregor's father is initially developed as weak and unfit for the paternal role: "his father knocked on a side door, weakly but with his fist." This introduction to Gregor's father gives readers insight into the father's character before Gregor's transformation. His weak strokes build that resigned and senile image of the father. A notable choice in the sentence is that the father was knocking “with his fist.” Fists are associated with anger and violence; emotions that the father has towards Gregor throughout the novel. The father's introduction in the novel subtly develops his silent resentment towards Gregor, which he does not act upon until Gregor's transformation; a catalyst for change. Gregor's father's failure to fulfill his archetype is further developed in the rising action of the novel. “The same tired man who lay in his bed in June when Gregor returned from his business trips.” This disturbance of the archetypal family order fosters the father's inadequacy and resentment towards Gregor, who has assumed the role of father figure. Gregor's transformation is an opportunity for his father to restore the symbolic order. Gregory's transformation changes the mechanical and boring nature of his family's life because Gregory becomes unable to work; Gregory's father seizes this opportunity and is described as a man who “stood on his feet now; dressed in an elegant blue uniform... worn by the employees of the banking institution”. In some respects, the transformation of Gregor's father is more drastic than the transformation of Gregor himself because this description seems.