The Ambiguism Of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis?

Arguably one of Franz Kafka 's most brilliant works, The Metamorphosis provides many ambiguities for readers to consider. One of the many thought-provoking aspects of Kafka’s story is Gregor Samsa 's transformation into a bug, rather than any other animal. What is Kafka trying to say by using this symbol to describe Gregor? One explanation for this may be the many qualities that Gregor 's character shares with bugs and how they are perceived by humans. Through the details presented in the story, it is clear that Kafka has chosen for Gregor to become a bug because, like an insect, he has a robotic-like work ethic, an altruistic nature, and lacks of significance to others.

Throughout The Metamorphosis, Kafka presents Gregor as one who has

Although it can be argued that supporting his family is a generous motivation, it can also be interpreted as "self-forgetting". As Gregor expresses his dislike towards his job, his reasons to stay concern his family: "…once I 've saved enough money to pay back my parents ' debts to him -- that should take another five or six years -- I 'll [leave] without fail" (90). This shows Gregor, despite being unhappy, continues to put his family above himself. Later in the story, Gregor hears his father discussing how he invested some of Gregor 's paychecks instead paying off the debt. Upon hearing this, Gregor gives little thought to how he could have had the money for himself, and instead thinks, "…it was better the way his father arranged it" (112). Gregor 's lack of concern for himself in comparison to his family indicates even more similarity to insects. By nature, many insects, like worker ants, will labor until they die for the sole reason of feeding their colony, just like Gregor and his family. This likeness is illustrated in the final part of the story when the Samsas come to find Gregor intolerable. Closely following Gregor’s metamorphosis, his family holds out hope that the human Gregor may return to help support them. However, as time goes on, the family becomes more independent, and Gregor, no longer of use, becomes a burden that

In general, Gregor has little influence in the lives of others. Being a commercial traveler, he doesn’t get the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with people outside of his family. As Gregor describes it, he has “…casual acquaintances that are always new and never become intimate friends” (90). He also does little not pertaining to his work or family, and makes no attempts to reach out to others. His mother even says, “The boy thinks about nothing but his work. It makes me almost cross the way he never goes out in the evenings…” (95). Without additional interaction, Gregor is not important in the lives of people outside of work and family, making his effect on other negligible, like an insect’s. Furthermore, despite how vital work is in Gregor’s life, he holds a very inconsequential position in the office. As Gregor appeals with the chief clerk to give him the benefit of the doubt, he admits that “travelers are not popular” because they are “never seen in the office almost the whole year around” (101). Gregor desperately tries to plead with the clerk to let him keep his job because he is aware that he is replaceable. This shows that Gregor lacks significance even when he is working towards his all-consuming goal of supporting his family. It is possible to say that the only place Gregor has influence is in his own home, with