Metamorphosis Conflicts

In most works of fiction, conflict is used to create a story. In Kafka’s The Metamorphosis the major conflict is the financial stability of the family. For the five years before the story, Gregor was responsible for bringing in the money required to support the family. This was the main focus for Gregor so, when Gregor lost the ability to work, the responsibility was shifted to the rest of the family. This struggle for the family to make money is the main conflict of the story. The main conflict can be seen by examining the minor conflicts of Gregor’s father’s physical fitness to work, Greta’s childhood ending by getting a job, and renting out the house. Gregor’s father had retired form working due to his poor health so when he had to start working again his ability to work was questioned. This becomes apparent when he comes home from work and refuses to take off his uniform. Gregor describes his father as “ready at all times to be of service, waiting, even [at home], for the voice of his superior” (Puchner 231). This shows the devotion Gregor’s father has to his job, but also how exhausting it is for him. Gregor’s father would regularly fall
The story started with Gregor determined to go to work even though he transformed into an insect. As a result of Gregor’s inability to work, the family was forced to work and worry about their finances. It can be seen throughout the story that the family had the same drive as Gregor to go to work and make money to support the family. This is shown in the minor conflicts that take place in the story. As the story progresses, the family pays less attention to Gregor and become more obsessed with making money. The story ends with Gregor dying and the family realizing that they no longer need to worry about money. This shows that the story was not about Gregor’s transformation, but about the financial journey of the