How was Gregor treated when all the members of his family were forced to work?
The Metamorphosis is a notable literary work by Franz Kafka. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Metamorphosis.
Answer
How was Gregor treated when all the members of his family were forced to work? [NU: 2018]
In Franz Kafka’s (1883–1924) “The Metamorphosis” (1915), Gregor Samsa once worked hard for his family. After his change into a vermin, his father, mother, and sister, Grete, had to work. From then on, their love faded, and they treated Gregor with coldness and cruelty.
Neglect in the Room: When the family started working, they stopped caring for Gregor. His room became dirty and full of dust. Kafka says about his room,
“Had been left totally untouched.”
Earlier, Grete cleaned his room and brought him food with care. But now, his needs were ignored. His dehumanization became clear in this neglect.
Treated as a Burden: Mr. Samsa worked in a bank, Mother worked by sewing clothes, and Sister Grete took a job as a salesgirl. They became busy and tired. They started seeing Gregor as a problem. Grete, who once cared for him, declared,
“We have to try and get rid of it.”
She no longer called him her brother. The family treated him as a useless burden. This change was very painful.
Loss of Respect and Love: When the family worked, Gregor lost all respect in the Samsa house. His father pushed him away violently. His mother avoided him in fear. Even Grete, who played the violin, did not want him near. He was treated more like an animal than a son. His presence brought shame, not love. His room became like a prison. This loss of dignity shows how the family treated him after they began working.
When all members of the Samsa family started working, Gregor was neglected, treated as a burden, and lost respect and love. His father, mother, and Grete cared only for their jobs. Gregor’s lonely life in his room became a tragic picture.