Grete Samsa Character Analysis in The Metamorphosis

Grete Samsa is the sister of a human transformed into a giant insect named Gregor Samsa. Although she is not the obvious protagonist, Grete is a well-rounded character who arguably embodies the meaning of the narrative. An analysis of diction, setting, and atmosphere in Franz Kafka’s "The Metamorphosis," especially the last paragraph, shows how a character, such as Grete, can persevere through her torments and ultimately strengthens her character. 

First, the diction in the excerpt contrasts with earlier phrasing to show how Grete's character has developed. When first introduced, a "faint lament" is the description of Grete's voice when asking Gregor if he is feeling unwell (Kafka 401). In the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of "lament" is a "passionate or demonstrative expression of grief” ("lament"). This wording portrays Grete as a mentally weaker character in the beginning because the words used to describe her are grieved or involve crying. This gives Grete the typical female role in the narrative of being overly emotional and weak-minded. The clearest indicator of Grete's character development is towards the end of the narrative when she lets go of the notion that the giant dung beetle is her brother Gregor and convinces her family to do the same (428-429). At this moment, Grete does what everyone else is reluctant to do and demands that her family move on from Gregor. In the final excerpt, "growing ever more vivacious" and "blossom[ing] into a beautiful voluptuous girl" is the description of Grete (433). In the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of "vivacious" is "full of, characterized by, or exhibiting vivacity or liveliness" ("vivacious"). Moreover, the definition of "voluptuous" is "in a refined or luxurious manner; marked by indulgences in sensual pleasures" ("voluptuous"). These two definitions portray Grete as more womanly and more grown-up than at the beginning of the narrative. This portrays Grete similar to a butterfly, which represents her own beautiful metamorphosis in contrast to Gregor's hideous one of a dung beetle. Here, Grete overcomes the torments which Gregor has caused her and her family and thus becomes a stronger character than her previous portrayal in the beginning chapters of the story. 

Next, the setting in the narrative, such as the house, represents Grete's torment and inability to leave, but the last excerpt resolves this confinement. Most of the narrative is in Gregor's family house, and as the story progresses, the house gets dirtier and more depressing: "[g]reat streaks of dirt extended across the walls, with balls of dust and rubbish lying scattered about" (424). This is symbolic of the build-up of emotions felt in Grete, which the big speech on pages 428 and 429 releases. But the house is not the only thing that gets dirtier as the narrative progresses, "[a]nd he had all the more reason to keep himself hidden away now: thanks to the dust that lay everywhere in his room and would swirl up at the slightest motion, he too was covered in dust; he dragged around threads, hair and food scraps cling to his back and sides" (426-427). Gregor is the physical representation of built-up emotions, so he is the dirtiest and most disgusting thing in the house. Because of how at the slightest touch, dust stirs and covers everything, the dust also represents the build-up of emotion. In the last excerpt, Grete and her family can leave the house after Gregor has died. This is freeing to Grete because Gregor originally picked out the house, which confined them with their built-up emotions and no way to escape (433). The house then represents a chrysalis to Grete, helping develop her metamorphosis but only allowing her to break free on her own accord. After the release of the built-up emotions, Grete can grow as a character and live a more independent life along with her family. 

Lastly, through the transformed atmosphere established in the excerpt, Grete's character development becomes clear. At first, the sight of Gregor alarmed Grete, "the sight so alarmed her that, unable to control herself, she slammed the door from the outside. But as if regretting this conduct, she opened it again at once and came in, walking on tiptoe as though she were entering the room of a gravely ill patient or even a stranger" (411-412). This is the first time Grete is not only heard through the door but seen. The atmosphere in these lines is very tense because it is unclear how Grete will react to seeing Gregor for the first time as an insect. The atmosphere gives off a grey and rainy feeling, which is because of the sympathy created for Gregor. In the latter excerpt, "suffused with warm light" and "cozy" is the description of the atmosphere (433). This is a large contrast to the earlier description of duller and colder. Making the atmosphere more positive before this last line helps emphasize Grete's character development and how overcoming her torments has made her stronger when it should have affected her more negatively: "by the thought that despite all the torments that made her cheeks grow pale, she had recently blossomed into a beautiful voluptuous girl" (433). This is concrete evidence that what Grete has persevered through has made her into a stronger character. 

Finally, Gregor is not the only character who has had a metamorphosis. In the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of "metamorphosis" is "a complete change in the appearance, circumstances, condition, or character of person" ("metamorphosis"). Although not as physical as Gregor's, his sister Grete also experiences a metamorphosis. In the narrative, Grete starts as a weak girl who cries when she speaks and sits in her room to avoid confrontation (404). In the latter excerpt, Grete "blossoms" into a new character after overcoming the torments Gregor has caused her and her family. Though, this does not lead to a happy ending because, in the excerpt, Grete's parents view Grete's strengthened character as an opportunity to get her married, thus, confining Grete all over again (433). An analysis of diction, setting, and atmosphere in Franz Kafka’s "The Metamorphosis," especially the last paragraph, shows how a character, such as Grete, can persevere through her torments and ultimately strengthens her character.