First off all, what is reality? In dictionary terms, reality is the state in which things exists the way they do, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. Although, reality is often perceived as something to be factual, in a world that constantly undergoes paradigm shifts as society begins to question societal norms held for eons. The very essence of reality cannot be trusted. Gregor Samsa, in the Novella “The metamorphosis” is the perfect example of a man fulfilling his duty by financially aiding his household in the capitalist Prague at his time. That very fact of Gregor Samsa being the exemplar example, is the reality most people of that time period aspire to become. However, at the same time, clouded by people’s desire to fit in to society, the idea of a man being the breadwinner of a household only becomes ideal whereas, in reality, individuals such as Gregor only becomes a tool to be utilized and exhausted out by capitalism and once deemed useless, becomes ostracized. A similar situation in which reality cannot be trusted by our individual understanding is Blanche in the Street car named desire. Upon upholding standards of old, Blanche’s reality was greatly affected by the constantly changing society thus leading her to her inevitable demise. Individualistic understanding of reality becomes clouded and often confused by an individuals embraced deepest desires which only becomes realized once their "reality" is shattered by an external force. 

Capitalism, by its very nature, is founded on the principle of exploitation of the individual at the benefit of the other; often in the form of a small minority having control over the masses. Despite capitalism unquestionable financial benefit to the economy and a country’s infrastructure, it comes at the sacrifice of the proletariat.

The self-destructive nature of Capitalism is shown through the irony that is associated with the Proletariat’s grueling lifestyle, as a result of their manipulation by the aristocrat. To elaborate, proletariat’s are force fed the ‘fake’ promise that one must ‘work hard’ today and sacrifice their youth, to ensure a ‘better future’. While this promise is very clearly deceptive (as if everyone’s rich, no one is rich), the irony stems within the fact that in order to achieve this ‘better future’, one must subject himself to years of monotonous, unfulfilling work, ultimately sacrificing physical and mental wellbeing for a purely chimerical goal. This concept is reflected by Kafka through Gregor, another cog in the capitalistic machine that has been successfully manipulated, reassuring himself that  he must only endure another ‘five or six years at most’ before he may retire. Gregor, unable to handle the pressure of his difficult life, ultimately metamorphoses into a ‘monstrous vermin’ (self-destruction), signifying that his inability to fulfill his required roles goes again the natural order of the ‘system’. At the most basic level, capitalism has broken his spirit.  Kafka, an avid socialist was heavily influenced by the Marxist philosophy that work which the proletariat is unsatisfied with, is the sole cause of their dehumanization and destruction as individuals. This concept is mirrored through Gregor, who as a result of his dissatisfaction with his job, and thus life, has been transformed into a ‘vermin. 

 

In the novella, it is evident that the capitalistic society of Prague has resulted in a community void of humanity, in which individuals have sabotaged their relationships and ideologies in order to adjust to the system. This is first seen in the relationship between the protagonist and his parents, which is ultimately transactional, driven by avarice, as to demonstrate an extrinsically motivated society. This is illustrated in the first scene, where it is palpable that Gregor has maintained his employment, instead of pursuing his dream, in order to provide for his family and fulfill his father’s debt. It is stated “the money was gratefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling.” This insinuates that the protagonist was purely a means to his family’s happiness, as opposed to being an integral member of the family unit. Kafka has presented this relationship as transactional, particularly with his father, in order to exemplify that in the modern world, greed has won over humanity. These actions reflect the author Kafka’s circumstances, in which his father had placed work centric culture in their relationship. 

Although we are born male or female, our masculinity and/or femininity is not a biological fix, but a social construct. Masculinity & Femininity is a recurring theme explored by Tennessee Williams throughout the socially critical play “ a streetcar named desire”. Society post WW2 was dominated by men,who were trained to be the financial supporters, whereas women were defined as inferior and helpless. This power dynamic has been constructed by society for decades, and is most prevalent in the abusive relationship between Stanley and Stella Kowalski. However, this construction is ultimately challenged by the arrival of southern belle,  Blanche Dubois ,who refers to Stanley as “ a polack” within only the first few scenes of the play. The use of this derogatory term challenges Stanley’s authority and instantly defies the fragile role a woman at the time had been entitled to. This illuminates the ideologies that were constructed at the time.  Moreover, as the play progresses, Blanche continues to act on anti-stereotypical actions while simultaneously attempting to create the illusion. Blanche as a whole demonstrates how the social construct at the time had forced her to restrain herself from her true desires in order to fit within the feminine role constructed by her society. 

The absolute power that arises from a system, a system such as Stanley Kowalski’s household, arises from feeding on individual fear and primal human weaknesses. Stanley’s control over his own household and the people within it is shown in both Stella and Blanche’s basic necessity; a home. The power that Stanley holds over Blanche is really seen when her place in the household is threatened and may be forced to leave. Blanche needs a home and also a male suitor, all things she needs to keep on surviving in the environment around her and Stanley holds power over her knowing she needs both those things. In the final scene of the play, Stella sees her sister being taken away knowing what Stanley has done to her but her surrounding environment shows her dependance on Stanley and the power he holds over her, again, on a primal human weakness.