Gregor's Transformation In The Metamorphosis

Throughout the course of chapter 2 in The Metamorphosis, Kafka reveals the challenging obstacles Gregor has to defeat, in order to save the humanity that he has left. Kafka explains Gregor’s internal problems in which Gregor has a tough time using human qualities and falls in the state of being an insect. With the transformation being hard on his family, Gregor wants to be no extra trouble to them. Overtime time, Gregor’s guilt is slowly building up, especially for his sister. It is visible to see that Gregor wants to hang on to his human self, but it is clearly slipping away, affecting both his physical body and also his physical environment. The things that surround you every day and have been surrounding you since you were little are
the things that make you, you. You may never appreciate those things but they do have a special meaning and a place in your heart. Gregor’s transformation into an insect has really affected the way he sees the small things in life like the furniture in his room for instance. The conversion of Gregor has made him have the qualities of a bug, such as,” crawling crisscross over the walls and the ceiling. He especially liked hanging from the ceiling” (30). With Gregor having a circus in his room, the furniture would be a big interference, and without it, his room would be empty, like an insect’s home. His mom and sister decided to take the furniture out of his way. Mrs. Samsa whispered,” doesn’t it look as if by removing his furniture we were showing him that we have given up all hope of getting better.” This dialogue changed the way Gregor saw the furniture. He realized that the furniture is pieces of his human past and that they cannot dispose of it. Just like the furniture, milk and break have also been part of his childhood. But his transformation has changed the little things like his food preferences. “He soon drew it back again in disappointment; he didn’t like the milk at all, although it used to be his favorite drink, he turned away from the bowl almost with repulsion and crawled back to the middle of the room” (Kafka 20-21). Kafka is indicating the start of Gregor’s transformation into a bug. Although food is a small issue, Kafka is illustrating how small things can build up and become gigantic. The process of Gregor’s transformation has not only brought stress to him, but most importantly his family; mainly Grete and his father.
Gregor and Grete were very close as siblings. They went from having each other’s backs to imaging fantasies. After his transformation, Grete had been scared to even look at Gregor. But being the close siblings they were, Grete once again, had Gregor’s back. Their Father and Mother had promised not to step inside of Gregor’s room which left Grete in change of feeding and “taking care” of Gregor. “If Gregor had only been able to speak to his sister and thank her for everything she had to do for him, he could have accepted her services more easily; as it was, they caused him pain” (28). Kafka is showing sympathy for Grete. Gregor’s guilty scale is rising. Gregor’s father also makes Gregor feel guilty about his transformation. “One apple, thrown weakly, grazed Gregor’s back and slip off harmlessly. But the very next one that came flying after it literally forced its way into Gregor’s back” (37). Kafka was symbolizing the apple as if it was Mr.Samsa’s love for Gregor. When Gregor first transformed, Mr.Samsa was angry but didn’t take action. The second apple represented Mr.Samsa’s irritation towards Gregor. Gregor felt,” nailed to the spot and stretched out his body in a complete confusion of all his senses” (37). Kafka represented that Mr.Samsa was done with
Gregor. Chapter 2 of The Metamorphosis is an essential chapter that helps create a more thoughtful perspective of this novella. Gregor is a position where one move can either make or break his trusts with his family members. Although physically, his body and environment are adjusting to the insects need, his mental statue is really what confirms and answers the question, “Human or bug.” The storyline is written where the plot can go in any direction and create a superb ending.