Metamorphosis+OPE

Heading: Christine Kim, E Block Question: “Metamorphosis” and __The Death of Ivan Ilych__ Connection Title: A Burden Upon Our Familes

Although the two stories appear to be telling two different stories at a glance, “Metamorphosis” by Kafka and __The Death of Ivan Ilych__ by Tolstoy depict similar aspects of a corrupt family life. In both stories, readers can see that the main characters lead their lives for one sole purpose: to help sustain their family. A vast majority of their incomes go to their families, and therefore, they lead the “most simple, most ordinary, and therefore the most terrible” lives. However, as if that wasn’t unfortunate enough, somethings go awry in the main character’s lives; Gregor turns into an enormous and frightening bug, and Ivan is diagnosed with cancer. Consequently, they are unable to work and deemed as useless by their families. “They had become quite accustomed to it, both the family and Gregor as well.” Gregor’s family does not care about him and does not even give thanks for his endeavors. Therefore, when he changes into a bug, his family does not care for him, but merely worries about their financial crisis. Similarly, in __The Death of Ivan Ilych,__ Ivan's wife, Praskovya, ignores him and considers him as a burden; she detests and ignores his existence. As the books both tell the unfortunate tales of men with an unloving families, the authors may be implying to the readers to care for their families because they are essential parts of their lives.