Character Analysis on Gregor Samsa
Christine Garcia
Christine Benes
English 112
April 14, 2013
Character Analysis on Gregor Samsa In the absurd yet sensational story “The Metamorphosis” written by Franz Kafka, the main character Gregor Samsa has awoken from unquiet dreams to find that he has been transformed into a big insect (Kafka 112). Gregor is very devoted to his busy work as a traveling salesman, not only because he wants to support his parents and pay off a debt that they incurred, but because he dreams of sending his sister, Grete, to a conservatory where she can learn to play violin professionally (Kafka 129). Kafka indicates that Gregor’s essential being has not changed in any fundamental way. Gregor still has human feelings and needs, he still wishes to relate with his family and other members of society, and he still wishes to be responsible. The character shows this by freaking out about missing his train to work rather than being transformed into a grotesque insect (Kafka 113). Although his mother, father, and his sister have not changed form, their metamorphoses are the most profound because they demonstrate how easily one’s beliefs, values, and basic treatment of others can be changed so easily because of a failure to adapt rationally to his condition. After everything that Gregor does for his family financially it is right to think that they should be more understanding about what is happening to him. Although he does not like his job, he helps his family with money without question. It is interesting to see that Gregor does not at all question why he has been transformed into an insect or attempt to rectify the situation. On the contrary, he very quickly accepts his new physical state and tries to go about his life as best he can in his new condition. Instead they treat him exactly how they see him. His parents no longer view him as the man he used to be but rather the insect that he has transformed into although his sister Grete sees him from another view. While they
Christine Benes
English 112
April 14, 2013
Character Analysis on Gregor Samsa In the absurd yet sensational story “The Metamorphosis” written by Franz Kafka, the main character Gregor Samsa has awoken from unquiet dreams to find that he has been transformed into a big insect (Kafka 112). Gregor is very devoted to his busy work as a traveling salesman, not only because he wants to support his parents and pay off a debt that they incurred, but because he dreams of sending his sister, Grete, to a conservatory where she can learn to play violin professionally (Kafka 129). Kafka indicates that Gregor’s essential being has not changed in any fundamental way. Gregor still has human feelings and needs, he still wishes to relate with his family and other members of society, and he still wishes to be responsible. The character shows this by freaking out about missing his train to work rather than being transformed into a grotesque insect (Kafka 113). Although his mother, father, and his sister have not changed form, their metamorphoses are the most profound because they demonstrate how easily one’s beliefs, values, and basic treatment of others can be changed so easily because of a failure to adapt rationally to his condition. After everything that Gregor does for his family financially it is right to think that they should be more understanding about what is happening to him. Although he does not like his job, he helps his family with money without question. It is interesting to see that Gregor does not at all question why he has been transformed into an insect or attempt to rectify the situation. On the contrary, he very quickly accepts his new physical state and tries to go about his life as best he can in his new condition. Instead they treat him exactly how they see him. His parents no longer view him as the man he used to be but rather the insect that he has transformed into although his sister Grete sees him from another view. While they
Cited: Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis pg. 112. Literature a Portable Anthology. Boston, 2013 print.