The Metamorphosis

Unusual from the start, Frank Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” begins with the main character, Gregor Samsa, waking up transformed into a beetle. As the story progresses, Gregor appears to accept this fact fairly readily; he never stops to question how such a transformation could realistically occur. This lack of questioning seems very peculiar. One might expect a person who transformed into a beetle over night to inquire about the possibility of such an occurrence. Gregor's apparent lack of concern over his condition begs a query as to whether any physical change actually occurred. Although the story presents the mutation as fact, it serves as a metaphor to illustrate the state of the Samsa household.
Prior to Gregor's transformation, he led a relatively boring life, which, coincidentally, did not differ greatly from the life of an insect. He concerned himself almost solely with his work, doing everything he could to provide for his family. Gregor did not have any real friends or hobbies, and outside of his sister, maintained a distant relationship with his family. He was anything but a normal human being. The real metamorphosis occurs when he realizes his present situation, and his role in his household. Gregor does not turn into a beetle; he simply recognizes that he has been one for quite some time.
The reader can draw parallels between Gregor's life and an insect's life. Most insects, especially ants and bees, have workers that provide for the rest of the group. Gregor provides for his family in much the same way as an insect would provide for its nest or hive. He sacrifices almost all aspects of fun, and does not desire to do anything but work. Eventually, his income becomes less of a generous act, and more of an expectation. His family's existence rests solely on his shoulders, just as a queen bee relies on the worker bees.
The story also appears to be a metaphor that describes communication in the Samsa family. As Gregor's paychecks become increasingly more... [continues]

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