PRESENTATION OUTLINE
What is the metamorphosis in Gregor's family?
Overview
A metamorphosis is defined as a change of the nature of a person into a completely different one. In Kafka's Metamorphosis, many changes occurred throughout the book in almost every character. Though Gregor went through a startling physical change from a human to a beetle, his family also changed, only inside. Surprisingly, it seemed as if Gregor's family underwent a more drastic change than he did. Gregor's viewpoint on his family remained the same throughout the story; he always loved and respected them. However, Gregor's family began treating him as a monster, someone not part of the family, and eventually learned how to become indecent from Gregor.
"Was that the same man who had lain exhausted and buried in bed in earlier days when Gregor was setting out on a business trip, who had received him on the evening of his return in a sleeping gown and arm chair, totally incapable of standing up........ But now he was standing up really straight, dressed in a tight-fitting blue uniform with gold buttons, like the ones servants wear in a banking company"(Kafka, page 13).
Before, when Gregor was still able to be the main source of income, his family had taken him for granted and therefore felt no responsibility to do anything. Gregor knew his father as someone weak and dependent. However, almost immediately after Gregor transforms, his father undergoes a drastic change from a lethargic and incapable old man to a fresh, powerful, and reliable worker. Knowing that the family desperately needs income, the father decides to take charge, takes Gregor's place, and presents himself properly with his new job. This new sense of responsibility causes him to assume all power and rule with an iron fist. This can be seen when Gregor's father uses violence to drive out Gregor when the mother fainted from the sight of Gregor's body. Evening motioning to step on Gregor as he was a mere underling, the father never tried to understand Gregor's viewpoint. In a way, the father never changed, but just showed a new side of him when Gregor turned into a bug. His lack of understanding signals that his relationship with his son was never loving or strong.
