Kafka's Metamorphosis: Character Analysis and Plot Summary

The Samsa Family and Gregor's Metamorphosis

Gregor Samsa: The Protagonist

Gregor Samsa is the protagonist of this story. He lives with his parents and his sister, Grete. He has been working for five years at the same company since his father's business went bankrupt. Gregor had to start working to pay his parents' debts to his current boss. He began as a simple clerk and quickly became a traveling salesman, earning high commissions. He gave almost all of his earnings to his family because he was the sole provider.

The Transformation

When one morning he wakes up and sees that he has become a huge, nasty bug (presumably a cockroach), he initially thinks he is dreaming. Even when convinced that it is real, his overwhelming sense of duty to his family compels him to try by all means to go to work or speak with the manager to avoid being fired.

Gregor's Ordeal and Decline

Once the manager sees him and runs away, Gregor's ordeal begins. Despite being an insect, his consciousness remains fully human. He must deal with several major changes:

• The attitude of his family (discussed below).
• Changes in his habits (he no longer likes fresh food but prefers half-rotten food; he enjoys climbing the walls and ceiling).
• His inability to leave his room.
• The changing economic status of his family.

At first, Gregor tries to make things easier for his family (including hiding when they enter his room to avoid their repulsion) and hopes they will continue to see him as their brother and son. However, he gradually becomes frustrated and disappointed (as they pay him less attention), leading him to eat less and eventually die.

Grete Samsa: The Sister

Grete Samsa is Gregor's younger sister. She is 17. Before her brother's metamorphosis, her only obligation was occasionally helping her mother with sewing tasks. This left her with much free time to talk to her brother (whom she had always adored) and pursue her passion: playing the violin.

After her brother is transformed, she is forced to start working as an assistant. This results not only in a lack of time to devote to her brother and the violin but also changes her sweet and innocent character.

The Father

Five years prior, he had his own business. After its collapse, he did not return to work and became an aged, weak, tired man who hardly ever left the house.

After his son's metamorphosis, he also transforms: he returns to work, this time as an orderly in a bank, and becomes strong, aggressive, and full of rage.

The Mother

She is a gentle and kind woman who never ceases to believe that the insect is her son. Before the metamorphosis, she focused only on sewing tasks, as they had a maid. When her son mutates, she takes over the rest of the housework and the care of the three lodgers they must take in due to the family's financial difficulties.