What was the Predicament Faced by Mr. Samsa Immediately After Gregor’s Transformation?

Answer

What was the predicament faced by Mr. Samsa immediately after Gregor’s transformation? [NU: 2019]

Predicament means a difficult or painful situation. In Franz Kafka’s (1883–1924) “The Metamorphosis” (1915), Gregor Samsa’s change into a vermin creates a deep predicament for his father, Mr. Samsa. He faces loss of income, shame before others, and new responsibilities inside the Samsa house.

Loss of Income and Dependence: Mr. Samsa depends fully on Gregor’s earnings as a traveling salesman. After Gregor becomes a vermin in his room, money stops coming. Gregor says,

“Oh God, he thought, what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen!”

Gregor cannot go to the train or the office. Mr. Samsa now has debts but no income. He must think of working again. This sudden loss of financial support is the first big predicament for him.

Shame before the Chief Clerk: When Gregor misses work, the Chief Clerk visits the Samsa house. Gregor struggles to answer and says, 

“I’ll open up immediately, just a moment. I’m slightly unwell.”

But when he comes out, his insect body shocks all. His mother faints. Grete cries. The Clerk runs away in fear. Mr. Samsa feels shame and dishonor. His son, once the pride of the family, is now a cause of embarrassment. This public shame is another hard predicament for him.

Burden of Responsibility: Mr. Samsa is old and weak. But after Gregor’s change, he must take full responsibility for the family again. Earlier, he was retired and lived on Gregor’s income. Now he is forced to work in a bank. He wears a uniform, goes out every morning, and comes back tired every evening. This sudden pressure of work and responsibility becomes his final predicament.

After Gregor’s transformation, Mr. Samsa suffers the most. He loses financial support, he feels shame before the Chief Clerk, and he must take up new responsibilities. His son’s change in the Samsa house forces him into a life of hardship and