Project 2
Franz Kafka
Kafka and Obesity: How the Environment Shapes Individuals
ENG1213-51
Professor Hammett
Essay 2 Rhetorical Analysis
April 17th 2026
Word Count- 1289
Kafka and Obesity: How the Environment Shapes Individuals
In the world of Franz Kafka, individuals are rarely in control of their own fate. This raises important questions about how much control people truly have in their everyday lives, and whether personal choice is as powerful as it seems. Franz Kafka was a 20th-century writer known for themes of absurdity in modern life and isolation. Kafka was born into a middle-class Jewish family, and his two older brothers died during their infancy. Because of this, Kafka made the decision that he must step up and take on the role of an older brother. He became especially close to his youngest sister, Ottola. Ottla served an important role in Kafka's life because through their relationship, “he developed his spirituality, emotional intelligence, and moral grounding.” (A Short Biography of Franz Kafka, 2026). His work often includes characters who struggle with feeling disconnected from society and trapped in systems they cannot escape. Many of Kafka's characters believe that they are in control of their lives, yet their actions ultimately reflect outcomes shaped by forces that are out of their control. This idea is relevant because it directly connects to modern social issues, including the current obesity pandemic. Kafka would likely argue that the obesity epidemic is not simply a matter of personal responsibility but is instead influenced by factors like environment and societal expectations that shape behavior over time.
Kafka's writing reflects that individuals lack full control over their own circumstances, and that these circumstances strongly influence their actions and outcomes. Kafka himself struggled with anxiety, societal pressures, and “a feeling of powerlessness throughout his adult life” (Newlogic Digital, 2026). During the early 1900s, industrial growth led to increasing social disconnection, which is reflected in his work and the worlds he creates. The Metamorphosis focuses on the physical and emotional isolation of the main character, Gregor Samsa, who becomes isolated after transforming into an insect. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa wakes up as a giant insect, but what ultimately decides his fate is not just his transformation, but the environment that he is confined to afterward. Confined in his room, Gregor is restricted and unable to access or interact with the outside world or maintain his regular work schedule. “I’m slightly unwell, an attack of dizziness, I haven't been able to get out of bed” (Kafka p. 13). His inability to leave his room immediately limits his independence and reinforces his isolation. His family gradually removes furniture from his room and begins to neglect his space as he exists as a bug. “He started crawling up and down the room” (Kafka p. 37). Over time, his environment begins to reflect the disorder and neglect of his situation. He crawls on walls, hides under furniture, and begins to behave in ways that mirror his surroundings. These behaviors are not necessarily conscious decisions, but rather responses to the environment he has been forced into.
Kafka suggests that individuals are not fully in control of their actions, but instead react to the limitations of their surroundings. The physical environment around Gregor shapes his behavior, gradually pushing him further away from his human identity. Kafka’s own life reinforces this perspective. Franz worked long hours in an insurance office, and he often felt trapped by his routine and schedule. He believed his job was exhausting and limited his creativity, which contributed to his sense of frustration and lack of control. His work environment took a toll on both his mental and physical well-being, shaping how he viewed the world. This experience influenced how Kafka understood environmental forces and social pressures, which is clearly reflected in his characters. Applying this idea to the modern obesity pandemic, Kafka would likely argue that individuals living in unhealthy environments that are filled with fast food options, limited access to nutritious foods, and sedentary lifestyles are placed at a disadvantage. These environments make it significantly more difficult to maintain healthy habits, suggesting that outcomes like obesity are not simply the result of personal choice, but of environmental influence over time.
Kafka also reveals through his writing that societal pressures significantly influence behavior and mental state. In addition to environmental factors, Kafka suggests that societal expectations play a major role in shaping identity and behavior. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa serves the role of provider for his family and ties his identity and self-worth to that responsibility. “He converted his success into cash to astonish his delighted family” (Kafka p. 31). Before his transformation, he worked long hours and sacrificed his own well-being in order to support his family. Despite his exhaustion, he continues to push himself because he believes his value comes from being useful and productive. Once he is no longer able to work, his family’s attitude begins to shift. They move from initial concern to frustration and eventually rejection. Before becoming a bug, his family respected him for the value he provided, but over time, they began to see him as a burden rather than an individual. “I thought I knew you as a calm and sensible person, but now you suddenly seem to be showing off with particular whims” (Kafka p. 12). This shift in perception shows how quickly societal roles can define a person’s worth.
Gregor internally feels intense guilt for failing to meet the expectations placed on him. “He became quite hot with shame and regret” (Kafka p. 33). His emotional response demonstrates how deeply he has internalized these expectations. Instead of questioning how he is treated, he blames himself for no longer fulfilling his role. This ultimately contributes to his physical and emotional decline, eventually leading to his death. In the context of obesity, Kafka would likely recognize that the epidemic is not simply caused by a lack of personal discipline or care, but is also influenced by social pressures and expectations. Society often shames individuals who are overweight and associates thinness with success, discipline, and self-control. As a result, people may feel trapped in cycles of shame, judgment, and isolation, similar to Gregor’s experience. These feelings can negatively impact mental health and lead to behaviors that reinforce unhealthy habits. Kafka’s work suggests that individuals internalize societal expectations, even when those expectations are harmful. Gregor accepts his family’s treatment rather than resisting it, which causes him to retreat further into isolation. He begins to see himself as a burden and as “unworthy of love” because he no longer fulfills the role he once had (Kafka p. 50). This demonstrates how powerful societal expectations can be, shaping not only behavior but also self-perception.
Kafka’s perspective demonstrates a complex understanding of human behavior that challenges the idea that individuals are fully in control of their lives. His work suggests that people are deeply influenced by their environment and by societal expectations that they cannot fully control. In The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s downfall is not just the result of his transformation, but also the environmental and social pressures that follow. Kafka would likely agree that the obesity epidemic is shaped by these same forces, rather than being solely the result of individual choices. His work encourages readers to look beyond personal responsibility and consider the broader conditions that influence behavior. By examining both environmental and societal factors, Kafka provides a lens for understanding complex modern issues like obesity in a more thoughtful and realistic way.
References
A Short Biography of Franz Kafka. (2026). Kafka-Online.Info. https://www.kafka-online.info/franz-kafka-biography.htm
Kafka, F. (1915). Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Translated by David Wyllie. https://giove.isti.cnr.it/demo/eread/Libri/calm/Metamorphosis.pdf
Newlogic Digital - www.newlogic.cz. (2026). BIOGRAPHY Franz Kafka Museum. https://kafkamuseum.cz/en/physical-and-mental-conditions-and-their-causes