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Samsa

Samsa is most widely known as the surname of Gregor Samsa, the protagonist of Franz Kafka's novella The Metamorphosis (Der Metamorphose), first published in 1915. The name has become closely associated with the work and with Kafka's themes of alienation and identity.

In the story, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, wakes one morning to find himself transformed into a

Since its publication, The Metamorphosis has been interpreted as a landmark of modern literature, read as an

Origin of the surname Samsa is not stated in the text; scholars have proposed various theories about

Beyond Kafka's text, the name Samsa has appeared in popular culture as a symbol of alienation, sometimes

large
insect.
He
grapples
with
his
new
condition
while
facing
the
hostility
and
indifference
of
his
family.
Much
of
the
narrative
centers
on
how
his
metamorphosis
disrupts
family
duties,
work,
and
social
expectations,
and
on
the
psychological
distance
that
grows
between
Gregor
and
those
around
him.
The
tale
ends
with
Gregor's
death
and
the
family's
subsequent
sense
of
relief
and
renewed
prospects.
exploration
of
existential
anxiety,
autonomy,
and
the
burdens
of
responsibility.
It
has
been
translated
into
numerous
languages
and
inspired
extensive
scholarly
commentary
and
various
adaptations.
its
possible
linguistic
roots,
but
there
is
no
consensus.
used
in
academic
and
literary
discussions.