Metamorphosis of Gregor\'s Family Though

¶ … Metamorphosis of Gregor's Family

Though Gregor Samsa goes through a massive and horrific physical change in Franz Kafka's the Metamorphosis, the most poignant changes in the story occur within the family, not with Gregor himself. On the surface it seems like there are massive changes happening all over, but upon closer inspection it seems as if the transformations are less outright changes and more of an emergence of the characters' truer selves.

Gregor's transformation into some kind of vermin seems to reflect his rather parasitic nature. He certainly doesn't mean to be this parasite, but as we see the family change through his changes his role becomes clear. Initially it appears that Gregor is the one providing and caring for the family. He believes that he has created a positive atmosphere where his family is well provided for, and that they all have a bright future. He also tends to paint himself every so slightly as a martyr because he was essentially forced into his current position as a traveling salesman by his father's debt. He clearly loathes his position, but remains there out of a sense of duty and a sense of pride that he is providing for his family so well. All of these positive feelings are masking the reality that he is miserable, but ultimately doesn't have the strength or the courage to improve his own situation. He uses his familial obligations as an excuse not to pursue anything of value, and since his only sense of self-worth comes from the family's dependence on him there seems little chance that this would have changed without some kind of major catalyst.

Gergor's father allowed himself to deteriorate both physically and psychologically when his business failed. This failure was a tremendous blow to his sense of self-worth and rendered him spiritually helpless to perform his role as caretaker for his family. When Gregor stepped up to remedy the problem, his father took this as an opportunity to retreat into himself and to indulge in a perpetual sense of self-pity. His reliance on Gregor further complicates his lack of self-worth, and just plunges him deeper and deeper into his toxic state of mind.

But then Gregor's metamorphosis demands that his father again re-establish himself as the breadwinner of the family. His going back to work is made all the more noble because of the unfortunate circumstances under which he must return. This necessity, though initially viewed as a burden, allows his spirit to blossom once more. His self-worth is revitalized, and he is once again able to feel that he is performing the role which society demands he fill. Though there may or may not have been any issue of acceptance for Gregor's father, he likely now feels that he is a more accepted and proper member of society.

Gregor's mother is the one most affected by Gregor's transformation. Her devotion and love for her son makes it very difficult for her to separate the memory of him from this creature, but the disgust she feels for her own son as this frightening creature is just as tragic for her as considering her son dead. This extreme tug-of-war of emotion has a terrible effect on her and acts as yet another catalyst for change within the family since Gregor's father and sister naturally form a protective circle around their wife and mother creating a united front against the creature. They resent this destructive effect that the bug has on the woman, but they are able to preserve their dedication to Gregor by determining that the creature couldn't possibly be Gregor since he, as the dedicated son and brother, would have done the noble thing and removed himself from the family after seeing the detrimental effects his metamorphosis has had on the family. The fact that the creature is still there being a physical, mental, and financial strain on the family dictates, they decide, that this creature is not Gregor.

Grete, Gregor's sister, may go through the most dramatic and genuine change in the entire novel. Whereas the father merely reverts back to adopting the roles that he is supposed to fulfill and did at an earlier point in the family's history, and the mother simply succumbs to her emotional weaknesses that were already present, the direction of Grete's psychological and emotional development is dramatically altered because of Gregor's transformation. Grete was on her way to growing up completely dependent upon her brother. His secret desire to send her to a conservatory to study violin may or may not have been her desire as well, but her devotion to her brother would likely have inspired her to follow his wishes especially since he was taking on the entire financial burden of her education. Grete is the only one to find the strength to directly deal with Gregor in his new form, and her newfound responsibility elevates her to a place of importance in the family, whereas she was just a child before.

Grete's self-appointed expert status on Gregor and his condition allows her to control the situation as best as anyone could. It is she that determines when the family has had enough and should rid themselves of the burden. Again, it is she that finds the most psychologically gentle way for the family to come to this decision by asserting that this creature is no longer her brother and so no one would ever fault any of the family for wishing him gone or attempting to rid themselves of the situation. Her revelation and decision making is what brings about the denouement of the novel and of the family.

It is at this point that Gregor's family has worked themselves into a strong unit consisting of self-sufficient individuals. Gregor's transformation allows every single one of them that their reliance on Gregor was never necessary and that his removal from the family actually creates a more functional and happy atmosphere. The transformation woke them up to their sad existence, but his death made them realize that their existence wasn't nearly as bad as they insisted on believing it was. Gregor's psychological domination of the family was not intentional, and Gregor should not be faulted for the detrimental effect he had on his family, but what happened to him was ultimately necessary for his family to move on with their lives and to become valuable within their society.