How Does Kafka's Metamorphosis Change

Metamorphosis is the process of transformation from one nature to another. However, in Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”, we witness two types of metamorphosis emotional and physical. Kafka shows us physical metamorphosis through Gregor’s transformation and introduces us to emotional metamorphosis when referencing to Gregor’s family dynamic. Therefore, when looking at true character change, we have to compare these two aspects. Kafka elaborates on two characters specifically throughout the book, Gregor and Grete. While he talks how Gregor’s metamorphosis has impacted his family, he only focuses on the physical aspects and Gregor’s personality remains unchanged. However, when he talks about Grete, he shows the change in character she experienced due to
Gregor’s metamorphosis. Therefore, when analyzing which character has really changed, Grete is the evident choice.
The change in character seen by Grete is seen throughout each and every part of the story. Kafka’s structuring of the book into three parts not only shows us the change in Gregor’s life but also the change in Grete’s character. In the beginning of the book, the relevance of Grete was unknown to the author. Kafka described her as quite useless when it came to helping the household. As Gregor was the breadwinner of the family, and the family’s income relied on him, Grete’s relevance to this was not clearly seen. However, as the story progresses, we see how the family try to adapt to Gregor’s sudden metamorphosis and the change in their lives. Grete’s relevance in this story becomes visible during this part. We start to see a change in Grete’s character when she brings Gregor his food. Kafka demonstrates her mental strength through this aspect. Already, the change in character has changed. Unlike his father and mother, Grete had mustered up the courage to give Gregor a meal. During this period we can see that metamorphosis has started to occur in Grete due to her change of character.
Although Gregor is the one that physically morphed into a dung beetle, in a mental state, he was still the deluded person that loved his family unconditionally.
Gregor’s physical change in form did not impact what he thought about others. This however is not applicable to his parents as well as his sister. Although the three of them did not have a physical changes, we can clearly see their change in emotion. Due to Gregor’s metamorphosis, Grete has had to take up the leadership role in the household and become the major bread winner. This sense of responsibility that she felt after Gregor’s metamorphosis changed the way she acted and thought. In part two of the book, we can see a great change in her way of thinking. Her priorities are straight and she has become motivated to work and accomplish greater things in life. Rather than being dependent on Gregor or on her parents, she has become an independent woman and her family has begun to rely on her. Her metamorphosis from a dependent girl to an independent provider for her family is not only seen through her actions but also in the way she dresses. Kafka describes her as a real business woman who takes life seriously and will not let anything get in her way. Her change in clothing emphasizes her change in character. Clothing greatly impacts the way other view strangers as well as the way one carries oneself. She has become more demanding and takes control of every situation. During this metamorphosis, we can see that Grete’s caring and timid attitude has changed and she has become colder. Her mindset seems to be a corporate mindset and her thoughtfulness before, although still present, is not seen as much anymore. Despite all this change in Grete’s character, Kafka still shows her
weaknesses