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Abstract

This paper analyses the fluid identity, emotionless, and materialistic nature of characters in Kafka’s The Metamorphosis through the lens of Baudrillard’s hyperreality and simulation and Derrida’s metaphysics of Presence and absence. The research aims to analyse the effects of a consumerist society, the fluid and material nature of characters. The research is qualitative, and the tool of research is content analysis. The objectives of the research are to find out the fluid and emotionless behaviour of Gregor’s family towards him and the influence of materialistic society on characters. Derrida’s concept of Metaphysics of Presence and Absence and Baudrillard’s theory of Hyperreality and Simulation provides a valuable framework to analyse the effects of modernist society, the fluid and feelingless behaviour of Gregor’s family towards him. When Gregor is no longer able to earn money, his family changes attitude toward him. All the characters run after money, and emotions fade or become unclear in a commodity-based world.