Family Dynamics in Peter Shaffer’s Equus and Metamorphosis...

The two novels Equus and The Metamorphosis carry comparable themes which isolate the main character from the father figure within each story. Kafka and Schaffer both contrast similar ideas of rejection within a father and son relationship in Equus and The Metamorphosis, to imitate the way society policies its members through family disagreements. The family differences about religion in one novel, and the stress because of a major transformation which causes the parent to work in another, creates tension, and in turn results in rejection towards the son in the two books. Throughout Equus, Schaffer manipulates the idea of rejection between Alan Strang and his father, by means of Alan’s imitation of biblical motifs from the Christian†¦show more content†¦The reason for this comes after the son, Samsa, goes through a transformation, which disables him to interact with the world outside. Throughout The Metamorphosis, Kafka demonstrates the broken relationship between father and son through the father’s inability to identify with his son after the transformation into a bug. In turn, the father becomes the breadwinner, and loses some respect for his son. Because of this rejection, their relationship becomes frayed. The loss of respect comes from Samsa no longer being able to work and provide for the family. Now that the father has to provide for the family, Samsa feels not only like an outcast, but like a failure, and guilt falls upon him. The father blames Samsa for the misfortune brought on to the family, and shuns him. Not only does the father shun his son, but he can barely look at his son, which differs from a typical father and son relationship. Because of the rejection from his father, Samsa isolates himself from everybody. Samsa and his father no longer have a connection towards one another due to the transformation, and his inability to work causes a more disconnect. Samsa’s father dislikes the idea of having to become a messenger for the family, because of Samsa’s transformation. Samsa knew â€Å"From the first day of his new life that his father considered only the strictest treatment called for in dealing with him† (Kafka 36). Out of