Why does Kafka use a beetle to symbolize Gregor's loneliness and isolation? Kafka uses a beetle to symbolize Gregor's loneliness and isolation because beetles are a stark contrast to people. This is an obvious statement but the underlying intention, I believe, is for Kafka to make is very clear to the reader how alienated Gregor feels. At first Gregor is semi-understandable by his parents and sister, through the door. But at the story continues it is implied that Gregor's transformation into a beetle continues; he is no longer understandable because he sounds like an animal. This symbolizes Gregor's fear that no one is listening to him, or that no one wants to hear what he is feeling. I viewed this progression as Gregor when he first started
