Franz Kafkas The Metamorphosis and James Baldwins Sonnys Blues Essa

There are many factors that lead to the development of an individual’s identity. Franz Kafka’s â€Å"The Metamorphosis† illustrates an extreme change in Gregor Samsa’s external identity and the overall outward effect it has on the development of his family. While James Baldwin’s â€Å"Sonny’s Blues† illustrates a young man struggling to find his identity while being pushed around by what society and his family wants him to be. Both of these characters exhibit an underlying struggle of alienation but both also demonstrate a craving for belongingness. This conflict of trying to belong to something as well as satisfying the needs of society, has directly impacted their own individuality and the lives of the people around them. Gregor Samsa, a hard working salesman providing for his family in need, has sacrifice his own freedom for the sake of the survival of his family. As a provider, his family is expecting him to work, be successful, and bring home the wealth. Although Gregor doesn’t enjoy his tedious job in the slightest, he still agrees to do it. This is more influenced by his father’s debt rather than his own morals. â€Å"If it weren’t for my parents, I would have quit long ago, I would have gone to the boss and told him off† (Kafka 2). This shows that he is a frustrated individual. Gregor is someone who would likely hold in his own personal feelings to preserve the family name. A night of nightmares later, Gregor awakes to see his many little legs flailing about. He isn’t initially shocked by this horrid transformation and however terrible it looks to him, his primary focus is how is he going to get to work? In spite of everything, he is still in the mindset of w orking no matter what the cost. After all, he doesn’t want to lose the tr... ...development of your identity. Gregor, the family man, tried as hard as he can to be there for his family. His family is everything he has got and this is his identity. While Sonny, the trouble kid turned musician, abandoned his family’s suggestions and went his own way by keeping true to himself and being dedicative to a specific goal. Both of these characters are polar opposites in a sense that one follows his family and the other does not. But, both characters were forced into difficult situations and both have experienced some sort of sacrifice. Works Cited Mendoza, Ramon G. The Human Vermin: Kafka's Metaphor for Extreme Alienation. N.p.: Salem Press, n.d. Literary Reference Database. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. Murray, Donald C. James Baldwin's 'Sonny's Blues': Complicated and Simple. N.p.: Newberry College, n.d. Literary Reference Database. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Character biography Tom: the glass menagerie

Tom can be described as a tortured soul, living with his mother and bachelors sister in a cramped apartment in SST Louis. From a young age, Tom is forced into the role of being the man of the house as his father abandons the family. One can say that this is the cause of Tom's deep resentment towards his life. He has to work long hours in a warehouse to pay the bills and take care of his nagging mother and sister.Tom's true dreams are to become a writer and he writes poetry in his spare time, this is what eventually gets him fired from his Job. Tom has complex relationships with both his family members. Although he always fights with his mother, we see that he does love her. Maybe so much that he can't stand her. Tom is softer towards his sister Laura, whom although is older, does not act like it. Tom finds himself trapped in an apartment and in a life he does not want.He finds an escape by going to the movies in which he lives vicariously through. In the movies he finds the adventure , thrill and excitement that his own life Is lacking In. We see Tom's selfishness when he doesn't pay for the electricity bill but instead uses the money for his own escape. Tom is torn between his loyalty to himself, his life, hopes and dreams; and his loyalty to his family, his own flesh and blood. In the end he Is loyal to himself, Just like his father.Tom almost uses the abandonment of his father as an excuse to do the same as if it is a genetic thing. Tom Is a complex and 3-delusional character In that he Isn't wholly good or wholly bad either, like all human beings. He truly does care for his family and especially his sister as he feels guilt and remorse for leaving her. But he also realizes that he will never truly experience life If he stays and neither will they. Therefore though his departure maybe he does not only set himself free, but his family as well.

A Short Note On Cause And Effect Essay - 1266 Words

Louijuste 1 Sheluna Louijuste Professor Orsini Cause Effect Essay April 16, 2016 My Name is Petty Krueger My sister, Jennifer, first attempted to assassinate me when I was a newborn. She crept into my room and shoved a lemon slice into my mouth. It split my lip, and startled me awake. When my mother heard the commotion, she quickly came into the room and separated us, saving my life. Even though this event happened before I could even remember it, I still make sure to bring it up every argument between Jennifer and I. Why am I so petty? After reading the article on Frank Sulloway’s research, I realized I am petty because I was a laterborn. As the youngest of 5, finding a niche in the family was very hard for me. But because I am a laterborn, I am â€Å"more open to experience [...] in finding an unoccupied niche (Boynton 73). † This is true, because I have managed to find an unconventional coupe in the family. As the petty child, I tend to stand out from my other siblings. My older honorary firstborn of a sister Jennifer was the smart one. Even though I was my class valedictorian, an honor student and won a scholarship, she still somehow manages to hold the family title as the smart kid. My oldest sister Estephania is a honorary laterborn, stealing the role of the ‘youngest’ from me. There is this stereotype that being the youngest means we are supposed to be the irresponsible and reckless. But that isn’t me. My oldest sister is constantly in trouble and needs some form ofShow MoreRelatedGlobal Warming : Causes, Effects And Remedies1748 Words   |  7 Pages Home About Us Publish Your Essay Content Quality Guidelines Disclaimer Privacy Policy Contact Us 1309 Words Essay on Global Warming: Causes, Effects and Remedies by Vishal Global warming is the greatest challenge facing our planet. It is, in fact, the increase in the temperature of the earth’s neon- surface air. It is one of the most current and widely discussed factors. 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