The Metamorphsis

The Metamorphosis

Essay submitted by Anonymous

Gregor was the most unselfish person in The Metamorphosis. This characteristic shows

with his dedication to his work. He was the only family member with a job, believing he

was the only one capable of it.

Sacrificing his social life for his work, he had no friends at work, and never went out at

night. His only hobby was fretwork, sitting alone in his room. The only person he was

ever intimate with was his sister Grete.

His devotion to his work was remarkable. In all of the five years he had worked for his

father’s creditor, he had never once been absent. Always ready to go out on his rounds

as early as possible, he never took advantage of time for a break. By the time he got

back, the other employees were still eating breakfast.

Under the belief that he was the sole provider for the family, Gregor took up a job with

his father’s creditor, before even consulting his family. They, at the time, were of

course impressed. The flat they were living in was chosen by Gregor. Making enough

money, he hired a cook and servant. He was even thinking of sending Grete to the

conservatorium to further enhance what he believed to be musical talents.

Even after his metamorphosis, he never asked for much. Showing his concern for

others’ wellbeing, he hid under the couch so as not to disgust anyone by his sight.

Although they brought him food everyday, he barely ate any of it. He even wished he

were not such a burden on the family, and that he could have transformed back into

his old self.

All of the actions mentioned above displayed Gregor’s unselfishness. After his

metamorphosis, nobody indicated they were grateful for what he had done. After his

first absence, the chief clerk himself appeared at Gregor’s house to see what was the

matter. When Gregor did not open his door, the chief clerk accused him of stealing the

company’s funds, and degraded him in front of his parents as being insubordinate. After

the transformation, Gregor’s father gave little or no love or support. Instead, he had

hurt Gregor many times while ushering Gregor back into the room. Grete and her mother

do, for some time, show a little support. After having Gregor around for a while however

Grete asserted that they should somehow get rid of him. At this point, Gregor realized

that his family no longer loves him, and gave up on life.

Although Gregor did aid his family in a critical time of need, they hardly acknowledged

this fact after his transformation. They never even tried to understand him. For the

past five years, he provided for his family, and when he needed them, they did not

care. After his metamorphosis, they all got jobs, something Gregor thought they were

incapable of. After his death, they moved out of the flat, which was too expensive for

them, leaving all of their memories, starting anew without him.