Gregor In Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis

Ironically, even though Gregor can no longer formulate words to speak to his family he still understands them clearly as they complain about him in front of him. Even he his new insect body he his made to feel less than he his. The inability to communicate with his family puts Gregor into a predicament where ultimately his life lies in their hands. Aichele and Walsh explains, “Indeed, one central theme of “The Metamorphosis.” like that of much of Kafka’s oeuvre, is the impossibility of understanding. For example, Gregor’s family is unable to understand him.” Besides Gregor’s physical appearance, it is the communication barrier between him and his family that imprisons him the most. Without the ability to tell them how he felt, it is easy for

While showing sympathy for her brother initially Grete embraces the responsibility of caring for him, but as time tell Grete grows a disgust for Gregor stripping him of his humanity. Straus states, “ As Grete sweeps his room and feeds him, the only one who has not forgotten him, he realizes that he has relinquished his male status to her.”(664) Grete has now become in control of what Gregor eats and whether his room stays clean. Their roles has been revered, the younger sister is taking care of the disabled older brother. Grete’s care for her brother comes with ulterior motives. She see her brother’s situation as an opportunity to empower herself. “This feeling sought release at every opportunity, and with it Grete now felt tempted to want to make Gregor’s situation even more terrifying, so that then she would be able to do even more for him than now” (Kafka 45). Grete selfishly cares for Gregor which explains why she gradually becomes disgusted with Gregor over the course of the tale. While caring for her brother, Grete sees this an opportunity to go beyond her social standing which led to her leading proclamation that the family must get rid of Gregor. Grete takes it upon herself to take care of Gregor further enabling him consciously. Now Gregor and Grete roles are switched as Grete is now the caretaker of

As his family enjoys the money he makes to provide for them their lack of appreciation for Gregor makes him feel less human everyday leading to his physical metamorphosis. This physical change separates Gregor from his family socially. His new body prevents him from being able to continue to work and provide for his family ceasing is social status within the family. When the family ultimately decides to completely alienate Gregor from the family resulting in his death. Gregor was able to continue live after his physical transformation because his family still acknowledged him as their own. At first they care for Gregory hoping he may get better but they realize that Gregor’s new appearance is something they will have to live with if they want to keep him around. Father Samsa’s attitude towards Gregor positions the family’s alienation toward