The Metamorphosis In The Metamorphosis By Franz Kafka

In terms biology, a metamorphosis means “the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages” (Oxford dictionary). For animals, they must undergo this event in order to become physically developed and fully mature. This phenomenon that provides the animals with the ability to survive in the wilderness is also shown in The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka; a salesman named Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning and finds himself transformed into a giant insect. Throughout the book, Gregor’s metamorphosis leads to many different changes of the family as they experience their own metamorphosis and grow stronger. Although Gregor’s metamorphosis may seem as if it has caused a great deal of suffering to his family, it had provided him and his family an opportunity to pursue new lives.

As the members of the Samsa family struggle to deal with the new situation of Gregor’s metamorphosis, Gregor’s sister, Grete, particularly feels a great deal of sympathy and begins to establish her role as his caretaker. Of all of the characters, Grete has the most interaction with Gregor. For example, in the first few days of his metamorphosis, she feeds Gregor with milk, assuming that his preference for milk would remain the same as before when he was a human. When she notices that Gregor’s food preference had changed, she brings him “an entire assortment of foodstuffs, all spread out on an old newspaper” (Kafka 57). Consequently, through the routine of taking care of Gregor, she becomes physically and mentally mature. Also, as Gregor is unable to work anymore, she takes a job as a salesgirl to help the family with their financial issues (Kafka 87). As she begins to support her family and learns how to take on adult...

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...dentured salesman. It had dramatically changed the lives of each members of the Samsa family. From the routine of taking care of Gregor, Grete had grown into a responsible, mature woman. Since Gregor could not work, the Samsa family learned that they are physically strong than they have expected, and Gregor gained independence from his job and the responsibility of being a financial provider. Gregor’s metamorphosis was necessary for it provided his family with the opportunity to pursue new lives. Gregor may have suffered and died through the metamorphosis, but the last lines of the story give hope for a new, fresh life awaiting the Samsa family: “And when they arrived at their destination, it seemed to them almost a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions when their young daughter swiftly sprang into her feet and stretched her young body” (Kafka 118).