Symbols, Motifs, and Themes in 'The Metamorphosis.'
‘The Metamorphosis’ is a story about Gregor Samsa, a man who one day transforms into a gaint disgusting bug written by Franz Kafka. In the novel, Kafka have made use of symbols (an idea or object used to represent something) and motifs (reoccurring idea or concept that is used in the story) throughout the novel.
Apples are the important symbol that have been used repeatedly used by Kafka. In Bible, apples are considered a fruit of good and evil. When seeing Gregor’s transformation his mother faints, so Gregor fills his pockets with apples for the cure of his wife. He also load some on the back of Gregor, but that injures him which leads to death. Here, apples represents life and death which also leads to its theme.
Spring is another symbol in the novel which is developed after Gregor’s death which symbolizes hope and revewal. These symbols further develop the theme of family duty and responsibility.
We wouldn’t have the resources we need to get through life such as cooking food, clothing for when we get cold, weapons to protect ourselves, and generally things to keep us alive. If we didn’t have fire we wouldn’t be able to stay warm, and healthy. If we didn’t have weapons like steel, iron, wood, we couldn’t make those things in to self defense mechanisms.
A person can think however they want. Actions, like many have said, define a person in the end. Someone can advocate for peace with malicious intent, but they will still likely be remembered for advocating peace and not for their impure motivations. If these contradicting images are revealed to the public, that is still an act against that person, and is no longer a thought.
However, this is only from the public's view. When it comes to people, they may as well be the embodiment of their thoughts. Everything is fueled by something. The same person who seeds their own goals under the guise of peace will not think of themselves as one who acts with the intentions of bringing peace. They will be looking to call forth whatever it is that they want, and be aware that what they present to the public is not the truth.
So, both points are arguable. It depends on whether you value the individual or the community. Actions are what are remembered, and thoughts are a person's reason. Even today, this comes into relevancy because people want to know why certain figures in history did what they did. Thoughts make a person human, after all. Without thought, seperation of man and beast would be nigh impossible. Without action, man would have been left behind long ago. Both thought and action are important indeed.
Satrapi have said so many things regarding the disparity or the differences between the classes before and after the Iranian Revolution. Some of the parents were not allowing their sons or even maybe their daughter to come and attend the demonstration when Shah was taking control of everything.
