In Camus’ The Stranger and Kafka’s Metamorphosis, the protagonist faces a challenging situation. In both novels, the protagonist struggles to redeem himself. So, his character develops as he reveals his positive traits. So, characters are suddenly sympathetic and the novels end with a hopeful note.
The Stranger’s protagonist Meursault is portrayed as a cold-hearted, emotionally distant killer. His indifference and alienation from the world are obvious. He is a callous person: “She asked if I love her.” She asked me if I loved her. I replied that it wasn’t important but that I thought it didn’t.
Meursault kills the Arab in The Stranger. The similes and complex language in this passage almost make the reader doubt whether Meursault intended to do it. “That was when everything started to reel.” The sea blew a thick, flaming breath. It looked to me like the sky was split in two to let down a torrent of fire.
In prison, Meursault’s positive qualities become apparent. The sun could have spared him a lesser sentence, but he confesses his guilt instead. The judge, who is unlikable, “sees only a monster in Meursault”, appears to be more sympathetic. When the reader has accepted that Meursault’s murder was not premeditated, he feels defended by the protagonist, especially when the judge pronounces the death sentence on Meursault. The reader feels sympathetic towards Meursault, who was previously unpalatable.
Gregor in Kafka’s Metamorphosis is initially portrayed as a self-centered and uncaring character. Gregor may be acting this way on purpose, contrary to Meursault. As an example, he works so hard to support his entire family to make himself look like a hero.
Two ways can be viewed Gregor’s transformation to a beetle. One way we view it is with pity, as if he were to be transformed into an odious beetle for no reason. We also feel that his life was hollow and meaningless before he transformed. Gregor goes through a transformation in the course of the story. He begins to see that it isn’t his “strenuous work” that makes him happy but his sister’s “beautiful violin playing.”
Kafka’s limited omniscient viewpoint in Metamorphosis helps him create sympathy for Gregor. We would have a limited view of Gregor if we only heard from his family. Initially, Gregor’s parents seem to care about him.
Gregor becomes a victim as the reader develops sympathy for him. Gregor’s family should pelt Gregor with apples to death, as he is now a “old dungbeetle”. What does he have to offer if not a comfortable lifestyle for his family?
Metamorphosis’s family is treated in the same way as The Stranger’s prosecutor. These comparisons make the protagonists seem heroic, even for a brief time. They are therefore made more sympathetic. Both Gregor & Meursault experience a transformation through their stories. The reader becomes more sympathetic towards them because they undergo a transformation.
Camus and Kafka show the fear and awareness of their characters before they die, making you feel more sympathy for them. Meursault’s previously emotionless nature has changed: “I explained that I was not in despair.” I was scared. He begins to make more sense of life, but then his life is taken away: “The presiding court told me that I’d have my skull cut off in public …” Camus accepts this fate. I pondered it. I said “No.” Gregor’s reaction is also odd and detached when he’s abandoned to die. They feed themselves. “And here I am dying!
Camus and Kafka making their characters sympathetic implies that we all have hope – that our opinions of what was once unsympathetic, or just distasteful, can be changed. Meursault & Gregor fail to overcome circumstances out of their control and are made to appear heroic. They gradually reveal their positive qualities, including when they die. Gregor remembers his family in a tender and loving way.
