In The Metamorphosis, Kafka makes it evident that Gregor endures a hellish existence as . Being the sole of the family also takes its toll. He yearns to be free of his job and his familial obligations. It seems as though his wish has been granted when he is transformed into an insect. However, Gregor cannot bask in the joy of his freedom because his physical condition causes , and he is forced to live within the confines of his room. Gregor’s condition is also a symbol of his from society, which burdens him with too many expectations and unrealistic goals?

The red badge of courage documents henry's growth and maturity as a soldier through the changes in his personality and behavior. during this transition, henry's emotions run the gamut from glory to fear to depression to anger to exhilaration to courage to honor. his personality and behavior move from innocence to experience, in essence from doubt to duty. henry's maturing process occurs very quickly. in the span of just a few days, henry experiences a lifetime's worth of growth — from his enlisting for self-centered reasons of glory, to the exhilaration of his first battle, to his running from his second battle for fear of being killed, and, ultimately, to his facing the enemy and leading a charge as he becomes one of the bravest soldiers in his regiment. several examples from the novel illuminate the changes which take place in henry's character and in their relationship to the themes of doubt and duty.