Metamorphosis Project

By: Sophia, Gaby, Deisy, Isa, and Jesse

Money-Money acts as an enabler throughout the book, allowing the scenarios to progress

-Gregor is fearful of losing his source of income, rather than that he’s a bug

-Father and Grete get jobs that put stress on them, which leads them to become angry with Gregor

-The lodgers are an important part that only happened because the family needed extra cash, they eventually lead to Gregor’s final shunning and death

Capital influence ̶M̶o̶n̶e̶y̶ ̶a̶c̶t̶s̶ ̶s̶i̶m̶p̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶p̶l̶o̶t̶ ̶d̶e̶v̶i̶c̶e̶

It could be thought of deeper, as in that money drives how humans act- the desire for influence controls us, which is that same reason that Grete got so mad at Gregor near the end, instead of him supporting her she was supporting him- now had the power/influence over him and the authority to be mad at him for being a hindrance.

Money is a plot device as well as a metaphor for the human construct that is to have influence over one another- the family has to unconditionally support the lodgers and support them with whatever they ask just because they offer money, they have more power than the family in that particular scenario.

“We have to get rid of it… ... I think no one can reproach us in the slightest”

FatherMr. Samsa is an exploiter, he became dependant on his son and detached himself from the responsibility of withholding a family.

Throughout the novel Mr. Samsa is extremely apathetic towards his son and appears to be discomforted with the fact that because of Gregor he now once again has the burden of providing for his family.

He seems to be disgusted with Gregor and doesn’t think twice on hurting him, which is quite selfish from him for Gregor devoted his life to undo his father’s mistakes.

The Father continued….The Father’s ambitious, selfless needs become apparent when his new “target” becomes Grete. After Gregor passed away, Mr. Samsa says “now we can thank god” this shows the emptiness of his character for he considered Gregor nothing but a strain.

Before George Samsa heavily relied on his son and felt anger towards his for forcing him out of his retirement, however once Mr. Samsa realized he was competent and didn’t need Gregor, he showed his feelings far more aggressively.

Mr. and Mrs. Samsa represent how the mind overwhelms the heart, Mr. Samsa soon realizes Gregor has no place in their family for all he provides are problems, and doesn’t touch his heart (considering their financial situation) to want to throw Gregor out. While Mrs. Samsa initially fought for her son’s place in the family, she eventually gave up and succumbed to the father’s mentality.

The Father’s Uniform

The uniform symbolizes the father’s dignity and shifts Gregor’s feelings from pity to respect for his father. Throughout the story we see the point of view of Gregor:

● The father uses the uniform as a symbol of him acquiring responsibility due to Gregor's transformation.

● Throughout the book, the father declines from the pressure of living with Gregor and in Gregor’s eyes the Father is depressed because of their current situation and begins to refrain from taking his therefore Gregor pities his father.

The Father’s Uniform: Confidence and Weakness

Confidence in the beginning:

Towards the beginning of Mr. Samsa’s career he gets a sense of respect and dignity.

Weakness towards the end:

Towards the end of Mr. Samsa’s career he begins to come off as weak

“With a sort of obstinacy the father refused to take off his messenger’s uniform even at home; and while his bathrobe hung unused on the hook, the father drowsed in his chair fully dressed, as if he were always ready to do his work and were waiting for his superior orders even here.” (Kafka 39)