Isolation is a theme that many writers explore and in their written work.
In both Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis and Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan IIych, the concepts of seclusion and loneliness are represented and the characters of Gregor and Ivan are developed to examine feelings of isolation. Fundamental to the theme of isolation in both novels is the fact that the main characters are alienated from the groups to which they wish to belong.In Gregor’s case his relationship with his family is unharmonious and his place within it is dependent upon the financial support he provides them. When he goes through the change from a man to an insect he is no longer physically able to provide for his family and, as a direct result of this, there is no longer a place within this institution for him. In their eyes he is disgusting, a vermin who they do not wish to see, touch or come into contact with, "even the foods that Gregor had left untouched–as if they were no longer usable" (18).
For the first time his outward appearance is consistent with his family’s treatment of him, a lower animalistic form. This is heavily in conflict with Gregor’s initial aspirations. Everything he has done in his life has been done so with the aim of providing for his family and thus fitting in and belonging with them. His work ethos and miserable pursuance of a job he hates are generated as a direct result of his wish to please his family and win them over.However, he also longs for a place for himself and it appears that these two separate aspirations cannot live alongside one another and are thus in conflict.
In Ivan’s case, the realization that he is dying cruelly separates him from the former life that he enjoyed and he is forced into isolation as a result of the behaviors of those around him; they fail to care or accept the realities of his situation and the friends and family that he once held in high regard desert him.The true nature of his life becomes clear and Ivan’s character develops through his forced acknowledgement that his former life was an illusion and that his actions and beliefs were misled in trying to belong to a social class that would ultimately fail him. In both The Metamorphosis and The Death of Ivan IIych, the characters are develop, through their isolation, a better recognition of “self” and the true nature o the people they once falsely idolized is revealed.
