Transformation In Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis

Rather abruptly, Franz Kafka places the reader on the morning of a great change in his novella, “The Metamorphosis.” At the eve of this morning, Gregor Samsa wakes from his “troubled dreams” (Kafka 23) to find that his has been transformed into a terrible creature. Gregor looks with contempt at his altered form, newfound appendages, and hardened derma, wondering why this morning of all mornings should be the one where he is transmuted. In the fourth paragraph of the story, Kafka gives us insight into the life that Gregor lives; one of a traveling salesman. “…what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen! Traveling day in and day out…” (23) It immediately becomes apparent to the reader that his newfangled state would be a hindrance to his
Rather, he must deal with the physical problems of his new figure. This is seen in his sudden shift from the problems of before to the issue of now: the itchy, white dots on his belly: “He felt a slight itching up on his belly and inched on his back closer to the bedpost to better lift his head.” (32) Even past dealing with the itch, Gregor’s problems continue to shift towards the issues of his new body and its relation to the space around him. It becomes near impossible for him to open the door for the head clerk, he finds the need to shield his body with a sheet – “this required four hours’ work” (54) – in order to save his sister from viewing his body, and he even “wished to have “his warm room, comfortably furnished with old family heirlooms, to be transformed into a lair in which he would certainly be able to crawl freely in any direction.” (57) Behind him is the issue of irregular or bad food, now he is worried about getting enough food. Behind him is the issue of worrying about train schedules, now he is worried about hiding himself whenever his sister is to come in. He has left behind the worries of traveling constantly in favor of the issues of surviving between four walls.
Though Gregor is no longer able to provide for the family financially, he still takes motions in consideration of the family, whether it be hiding under the sofa to shield his figure, or silently suffering his starvation as to not inconvenience the others. Before and after his metamorphosis, Gregor suppresses his issues, first of the emote and then of the physical, to better the lives of his family. However, his efforts past and present are unable to persuade even his sister that he should receive unconditional love and support regardless of the inconvenience it