'Siddhartha' by Herman Hesse, and the 'Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka, are both novels which portray the protagonists, Siddhartha and Gregor, as obedient members of society who undergo momentous, life altering transformations. Both transformations considerably affect the character's emotional and physical well being, as well as their roles and interactions with others in society, their established goals in life, and their overall peace and happiness with themselves. In 'Siddhartha' and the 'Metamorphosis", both Herman Hesse and Franz Kafka describe Siddhartha's and Gregor's metamorphoses in a grotesque manner, as initially overlooked by the protagonists, and as crucial events in their lives, which ultimately change both characters in either a positive or negative fashion.
[...] The narrator describes how Siddhartha's experiences in the wealthy society allowed him to grow by writing, "It is a good thing to experience everything oneself . As a child I learned that pleasures of the world and riches were not good. I have known it for a long time, but I have only just experienced it. Now I know it not only with my intellect, but with my ears, with my heart, with my stomach. It is a good thing that I know this." In other words, Siddhartha's meaningless life allowed him to realize what is important in [...]
[...] the throw of the dice and laughed, became harder and mean in business, and sometimes dreamt of money all night.” The narrator's description of Siddhartha's behavior and motives depicts the monstrosity of Siddhartha's change, by describing how Siddhartha transformed from a selfless and kind-hearted man to a merciless, greedy businessman. Thus, both Siddhartha's and Gregor's metamorphoses change them from something respected and acceptable to something monstrous and unappealing The “Metamorphosis” and Siddhartha both describe the characters as initially unaware of their transformations. [...]
[...] The narrator describes his sister's feelings towards Gregor by writing, "Hardly she entered the room than she would run straight to the window without taking time to close the door - though she was usually so careful to spare everyone the sight of Gregor's room - then tear open the casements with eager hands, almost as if she were suffocating, and remain for a little while at the window even in the coldest weather, breathing deeply. With this racing and crashing, she frightened Gregor twice a day; the whole time he cowered under the couch, and yet he knew very well that she would certainly have spared him this if only she had found it possible to stand being in a room with him with the window closed." Through this description of his sister's feelings towards him, the reader can see how Gregor is looked at in such a state of disgust that no human contact is made with him. [...]
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