Gregor Samsa Character Analysis in The Metamorphosis Essay Example

 “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is a novel written about a man named Gregor who is a traveling salesman that turns into a bug. The characters have an important role in this story. Especially Gregor, who always works hard to be able to support his family even when he absolutely despises his job. When Gregor works hard for his family, his family provides little to nothing for him in return. There can be multiple themes throughout this story, but I want to look deeper at alienation. The next element I want to explore is symbolism and how food is symbolized in this story. Also the symbolism of a cockroach and what made Franz Kafka specifically pick this type of bug. 

In the short story “The Metamorphosis” the main character happens to be Gregor Samsa who I would consider compassionate and thoughtful. Gregor has devoted his whole life to his work career of being a traveling salesman so he could be the main provider for his family and pay off his fathers debts. Gregor never complained to his family about any of the hardships he had to face even before he turned into a bug. For example, when his fathers business failed Gregor had to accept the role that was given to him which was being the sole male provider who was earning money. It was also known during this time when this story was created that the fathers and sons provided financial support for their families. Gregor did not like being a traveling salesman “what a hard job I picked for myself! Traveling day in and day out…the strain of traveling, meeting new people, no real human contact, no one who ever becomes a friend. The devil take it all!” (p.g. 717). Even though Gregor despised his job he still got up every single day and worked hard for his money. When Gregor changes into a bug he realizes how much of his life he missed because his family was so dependent on his income. When Gregor first realized his physical differences he was still worried about getting to work because that is all he knows and what his family expects of him. When he becomes a bug Gregor accepts his fate. He doesn’t try to figure out a way to get back into his human form. Instead he tries to figure out a way to keep his life from moving on the best way he can from turning into a bug. If you noticed we never questioned why he turned into a bug and how this was possible. We focus or rather Gregor focuses on the consequences of his change. When Gregor is turned into a bug he notices he likes to crawl on the walls and ceilings. However, Gregor still has human feelings and needs and can remember his life as a human. Grete Samsa is Gregor's sister who is the only one that cares for Gregor when he experiences his metamorphosis. Later she starts to resent Gregor and it’s her idea to get rid of him. The father did not care when Gregor changed. He was more worried about money and how they would obtain it since Gregor can not. The mother would just faint any time she would see Gregor as a cockroach. 

Alienation is being disconnected from a group where you should be connected. Gregor experiences alienation between his job, his family, and himself. Gregor experiences a physical alienation from his own body when he is transformed into a cockroach. Grete is the only one that has a relationship with Gregor. However, after a while due to Gregor's physical change she alienates him from her “He’s got to go, cried the sister, that’s the only answer, father. You must just try to stop thinking that this is Gregor” (p.g. 746). His family doesn't realize that Gregor still feels human emotions and can understand what they are saying. Gregor can’t speak, but he’s still able to think like a human. He’s isolated from his family, his family neglects him and Gregor feels deeply hurt. Gregor's family has a lack of foundation, they don’t experience human connection in the family. His family is more worried about their financial situation. Gregor starts feeling like a burden to his family because he no longer can support them and feel dependent on his family. 

Symbolism of food shows how the family feels about Gregor's change. Food is first brought up when Grete brings food to Gregor's room after his transformation. Grete brings Gregor his favorite snacks because she feels sorry for her brother. However, Gregor doesn’t have the same appetite he used to have when he was a human so he leaves the food untouched. Since Gregor’s appetite has changed Grete brings him half-rotten food that Gregor devours instantly “he devoured the cheese, the vegetables, and the white sauce; on the other hand, the fresh food didn’t appeal to him” (p.g.729). I think this is the point where his family starts treating him more like an insect. This is also the part where Gregor is having trouble between his mind and body because they both want different things. Food shows family relationships. Grete was the one who brought Gregor food and it shows Gregor that someone cares for him. Eventually Grete stops feeding him and that leads Gregor believing he lost his family forever. I think Kafka wrote Gregor as a cockroach because they are considered disgusting and are associated with garbage and dirty things. This is how Gregor's family sees him, disgusting and gross. If Gregor was supposed to turn into a different bug or animal like a butterfly. Gregor would be treated completely differently if he was turned into a more beautiful bug. If Gregor happened to change into a butterfly I think his family would have been more accepting of his change. His family wouldn’t have been so disgusted. I think the reason for a cockroach is because his life is exactly like a bug. He gets up early in the morning for work, earns money for food and shelter for his family, goes home and straight to bed and he repeats it all over again. Where a bug is supposed to get food for its colony. A bug's life is based on what their colony needs, same as Gregor his life is to provide for his family, he focuses on his family needs and not his own.

I think “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka is a great story that represents family dynamics. Families can be different on the outside and inside. Sometimes families aren;t what they always seem to be caring and loving. In this story the Samsa care more about their appearance, that’s why they kept Gregor away from the outside world. We need to start appreciating each other more for all their hard work they do to provide for their families. Gregor did the best he could for his family and it still wasn’t enough towards the end.