Cloaks of Respect and Dignity Stephanie Perez 12th Grade

There is something about donning on a uniform that makes a man feel invincible and demand the respect of those around him. When times are tough, people tend to look towards the uniformed man for guidance and to help pull them through a difficult situation. This is evident in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis when Mr. Samsa returns home from work one day in a shiny new uniform to find his wife and daughter willing to respond to his every beck and call. As the uniform becomes more worn and frayed, the family dynamic at home begins to change. However, Mr. Samsa is not the only member of the household that has felt the power of a uniform. For a brief moment while reminiscing about his past, Gregor conjures up the memory of a happier time when he wore a lieutenant’s uniform in the military. Through Gregor and Mr. Samsa, Kafka demonstrates that men can be in positions of power without a uniform, but they will only feel proud and dignified and command respect if they are wearing their uniform.

While Mr. Samsa was out of work, he felt debased and utterly useless. Mr. Samsa was supposed to be the man of the house, yet it was difficult for him to assume this position when it was Gregor who was the sole breadwinner for the family. With...