Gregor Samsa's Transformation in Kafka's Metamorphosis

Gregor's Transformation as Inner Reality

Gregor sees himself as having changed into a non-communicative, man-sized insect that is unable to rise from bed easily. His change is really within him — a change toward the real — wherein his lack of communication with his family and his environment is finally made manifest. His inability to rise quickly and alertly is the realization of his dream to stop slaving for his family's support in an unstimulating work environment. As an insect, he would at least not be coerced into waking up, jumping to his feet, and working for hours toward a purpose he no longer wishes to serve.

His reaction to his physical change is brief because, in a sense, it is not real — only imaginary. Given his crawling, his loss of voice, and other signs of diminished human faculty, one would expect him to be shocked at his physical transformation and to attempt communicating that shock to his family. But the shock is short-lived, and what occupies him instead is the appearance of his room — the walls, the furniture, the frame.

Family Dynamics and Domestic Violence

The company clerk arrives to find out why Gregor is absent from work and hears what he can only describe as "animal" sounds. Gregor has not actually turned into an insect; he has simply become himself. He makes animal sounds because animals are more expressive of their rages. Gregor only appears insect-like because that is precisely how his family views and treats him.

Gregor receives no sympathy when his father physically and emotionally harms him — first by shoving him back into his room, then by hurling apples at him. Only a weak and sickly mother shows him any semblance of sympathy, which in turn elicits guilt in Gregor for making her condition worse. Gregor's situation is one of domestic violence, in which he is valued solely for his role as breadwinner. When his parents and sister eventually begin working for themselves, he loses all value to them.