Jocelyn Lagos

Professor Beadle

Writing 115

October 29, 2018

Project Text Essay Draft

Change is inevitable and many of the times we undergo a transformation that has a

tremendous impact on not only ourselves but our loved ones as well. It can be argued whether or

not the changes we endure in life actually have positive impacts and if they help shape us in

becoming better people. In the book ​The Metamorphosis​ by Franz Kafka, the protagonist, Gregor

Samsa’s transformation goes far beyond a physical one. Gregor’s abrupt metamorphosis lead

him and his family through metal and emotional life changes.

To begin, Gregor drastically changes into a giant vermin and with this we witness the

first transformation of the story; the loss of his past human physical appearance. Gregor’s new

physical appearance brought fear and confusion to his family, his metamorphosis could be

associated with death. Although Gregor didn’t actually die, his human form was no longer

present and the deconstruction of is human from began. Loss can oftentimes be associated with

denial and confusion, as seen with Gregor's family. Micah Sadigh reinforces the difference

between a metamorphosis and a transformation, Gregor goes through a metamorphosis because

his vermin state is permanent where on the other hand a transformation is reversible. Gregor then

continues on with a sense of loss, he loses his ability to communicate and his human appetite. All

the loss brings a sense of dehumanization to Gregor, where he ponders the purpose of humanity.
 Moreover in the story, Gregor explores the concept of freedom, which takes us through

his next transformation. When Gregor manages to open the door to his room a sense of freedom

and escape is evident. The doors are symbolic of obstacles that are presented when change

arrives in our life. Gregor literally had to open his own doors to later find his peace. Exploring

his new physical state Gregor finds his peace and comfort hiding in dark places, so he spends

plenty of time under the couch. As Gregor embraces his new form he also begins to eat spoiled

food and crawls the walls and ceiling of his home. At this point it seems Gregor is at ease with

his new reality, however he refuses to completely let go of his humanity. He continues to look

out the window reminiscent of his human life,“...he would crawl up to the window still and,

propped up in the chair, lean against the window, evidently in some sort of remembrance of the

feeling of freedom he used to have from looking out the window.” (Kafka 28). The windows

symbolize a sense relief from the chaotic world and we as the audience view the disconnection

between Gregors mentality and his body.

Death is the ultimate transformation Gregor processes. Gregor dies from an infection due

to the fact that his father lodged an apple in his back. As Cristina Nicolae argues, “the loss of life

is torn through selfishness and loneliness and the only thing remaining is the memory of a

previous life” (Nicolae 6). When Gregor was no use for the family anymore they viewed him as

a disturbance to the family. Kafka challenges the complexity of death, Gregor’s death can be

seen as a deep sleep. Where he now is away from the cruel lonely world and the selfishness that

comes along with it.

 Grete Samsa, Gregor’s sister is one of the characters who we see the most transformation

from she is also the only other character whose name is known, emphasizing her importance.

From the start we notice the bond and the similarities her and Gregor share, but as Gregor

transforms we see Grete transform into a woman at the expense of her brother. At the beginning

of her brother’s metamorphosis Grete sympathised with Gregor, bringing him his favorite human

foods and rearranging his room for his own sanity and comfort. The food being a symbolic

gesture that Grete cared for brother Gregor. Grete’s childlike mentality allowed her to love

Gregor for who he was despite his physical appearance.

As time progresses Grete transforms into a woman, entering adulthood and leaving

behind her childhood. She also decides to leave Gregor behind “But even if his sister, exhausted

from her work at the store had gotten fed up with taking care of Gregor as she used to…” (Kafka

42). Grete begins to find her own voice as she shadows away from her childhood, she is indeed

the one who suggested the family get rid of Gregor. There are evident parallels between Gregor

and Grete, Grete begins to take on greater roles in the family by finding a job and providing

financial for her family. There is hope for future successes in Grete’s life, the ending of the book

suggest that her parents will find her a husband. Grete is now physically, mentally and

emotionally transformed.

Gregor’s father, Mr.Samsa goes through transformations as well, although less drastic

ones but all life changing. On the other hand we don’t see much transformation from Mrs.

Samsa, her character remains constant as everyone else endures some sort of change. She

continues to love Gregor in his vermin state but is held back by her husband and Grete. Due to

Gregor’s physical conditions he is unable to continue to be the head provider of his family, so
Mr. Samsa has no other choice than to step up and retake the role. Mr. Samsa’s transformation is

acknowledged through the description Gregor provides of his father’s uniform, “...dressed in a

tight fitting blue uniform with gold buttons, the kind worn by messengers at banking concerns

....” (Kafka 36). A restoration of self worth, pride and dignity is made aware through the

description. Mr. Samsa transforms from a dependent failed man into one that now works to

provide for his family. Money plays a crucial role in the story as it defines who is of importance

and who is not. The priorities of the family members shift to those who bring in the money.

Furthermore, Mr. Samsa continues to transform, this time in a negative way. The

consistency of pride and dignity diminishes, where again this is depicted through the description

of his work uniform. Mr. Samsa money hungry attitude never changes but he does go back to his

previous depressed ways. Kafka’s life is embedded into the text because the disconnection

between Gregor and his father resembles the disconnection Kafka had with his father.

Many may argue, that any form of change is not beneficial and should be rejected, let

alone a metamorphosis or complete transformation as seen in Kafka’s book. The response

Gregor’s family had to his metamorphosis is a great example of this argument. Gregor was

rejected and isolated; his changes were not welcome as they challenged the norms of society.

While his drastic metamorphosis brought confusion and isolation, Gregor challenged the idea of

humanity and space. However Gregor’s metamorphosis unknowingly allowed his family to

prosper in their own ways. With Gregor being unable to provide for his family Gete and

Mr.Samsa had to take on greater roles in their family and not be so dependent of others. This

allowed them to develop their individuality and sense of being in the world. The changes

individuals experience can allow for change in the rest of their family and loved ones.
 In conclusion, Gregor Samsa’s physical metamorphosis into a vermin is evident, although

he lacks complete mental and emotional change. Gregor is torn between a reminiscent past of

humanity and his present vermin state. All of these changes allow for his family to have

transformations of their own. These transformations shaping their future lives at the expense of

Gregor.
 Sources

Nicolae, Cristina. (2015). FRANZ KAFKA'S METAMORPHOTIC PRISON: THE

DOOR AND THE WINDOW. ​Studia Universitatis Petru Maior. Philologia,​ (18), 143-150.

Sadigh, Micah. "The nightmare of becoming human: Metaphors and reflections for

individuals in search of authentic self." ​Existential Analysis,​ vol. 28, no. 2, 2017, p. 362+.

Literature Resource Center,​

http://link.galegroup.com.libproxy.csun.edu/apps/doc/A502506279/LitRC?u=csunorthridge&sid

=LitRC&xid=9c73e7dd. Accessed 15 Oct. 2018.