Of Men and Insects: Human Avarice

Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis involves familial strife portrayed in a highly peculiar and eccentric metaphor. Kafka’s intention of transforming Gregor into an insect transcends the metaphor that Gregor becomes a burden to the family. Though it seems that Gregor’s family’s isolation and their disrespectful attitudes towards him may have been the cause of his transmogrification, I think it is also the result of his family’s exploitation of Gregor’s good intentions by disparaging his self-esteem that offers a better view. The Samsa family, acting as a parasite, took advantage of Gregor and did not appreciate his efforts to rescue the family from financial debts. It is sad because the family only cared about Gregor inasmuch as he was bringing money home; however, after Gregor’s transformation, the family finally realizes the important contributions Gregor had made to the family.

Kafka’s implementation of the insect metaphor furthers our understandings of Gregor and his family’s avarice. From the beginning, Gregor’s weak character as demonstrated by his inability to rebel against his manager’s assistant, behaves much like the slaving members of an ant or bee colony. At times Gregor wishes to quit; however, he realizes that he must continue to work under the harsh conditions to relieve his family’s debts, which reveals his goodwill and intentions for his family. Not only does his family depend on his ability to earn money, but also his boss relies on his diligence. The fundamentals of capitalism share similar attributes of an ant or bee colony, in that the success of corporate businesses is largely depended on the effective exploitations of their minions. This reminds me that insects are a necessity to our biological hierarchy. Without insects performing menial tasks, every cellular life is threatened.

The saddest relationship is between Grete and Gregor. At first she is sympathetic and cares for Gregor; however, she grows to become indifferent and ashamed of being related to her brother because of his grotesque appearance and insignificance to the family. She, along with the family, finally realizes what it is like to be a freeloader. The saddest part that sums up her character is when she explains, “we can’t go on like this. Maybe you don’t realize it, but I do. I refuse to utter my brother’s name in the presence of this monster…we’ve got to try to get rid of it.” This incident stirs my emotions, because she was the only one in the family to accept his transformation by bringing him food and caring for him, when their mother cannot bear to look at her son without fainting and their father barely cares about him. Sadly, the selfless Gregor finally does not want to burden his family anymore and thus decides to accept death.

Based on the expressions and reactions of their son Gregor, I believe the family would have the same attitudes towards him had his metamorphosis turned him into something more pleasing to the eyes than an insect. If Gregor awoke as a dog or a typical house pet, the family would still view him as a burden because he still would need more attention and care than before when he was a human. Though the family may not treat him as badly if he was common household pet, they will still feel that he is neither productive nor providing additional benefits towards the family; and therefore, they will continue to reject him and view him as an annoyance. (569)