The Metamorphosis placed the main character in a very interesting position after being turned into a bug. The main character at the start didn't seem to be too bothered by it, as it appeared to just be an obstacle preventing him from going to work. Moreover, the interactions that Gregor mostly has is with his family. These interactions brings light to how his family thinks about him and how he thinks about his family, two almost complete polar thoughts in this book. Would Gregor's death be avoided if his family treat him better?
When Gregor was turned into a bug, he appears to still have the motive to go and provide for his family. Even though he doesn't get most of the money, and was working to pay of his parents' debt, he had great feeling for his parents, seeing the worst things they do as something done with good intentions. On the other hand, his parents' see Gregor as just a money making machine. Instead of working, which they are clearly able to since they work at the end of the book, they force Gregor to work, while eating luxurious as their son slaves away. Perhaps the most ironic point in the book is how Gregor's parents are taking advantage of their son but can't stand it when they have to provide for Gregor when he becomes a bug. The family essentially brain washed Gregor in thinking that this was normal and was his duty in the family to provide for the parents and the parents know what is right.
In the end, if his family treated him better, in the past and while being a bug, Gregor might not have faced death after all. Gregor's death appeared more as a self-sacrifice, after noticing the amount of disgust and annoyance on his family's faces. Moreover, Gregor lost his purpose in life, given by his parents, since he can't work. His parents' even doesn't think there is any use in keeping this bug, since it doesnt provide anything and simply takes their resources. This book shows a good lesson about how important treating your family can be. Family should always help each other and love each other. Family should be the number one support group, through sickness and age. Even if one of your family members turns into an eight-legged creature.
When Gregor was turned into a bug, he appears to still have the motive to go and provide for his family. Even though he doesn't get most of the money, and was working to pay of his parents' debt, he had great feeling for his parents, seeing the worst things they do as something done with good intentions. On the other hand, his parents' see Gregor as just a money making machine. Instead of working, which they are clearly able to since they work at the end of the book, they force Gregor to work, while eating luxurious as their son slaves away. Perhaps the most ironic point in the book is how Gregor's parents are taking advantage of their son but can't stand it when they have to provide for Gregor when he becomes a bug. The family essentially brain washed Gregor in thinking that this was normal and was his duty in the family to provide for the parents and the parents know what is right.
In the end, if his family treated him better, in the past and while being a bug, Gregor might not have faced death after all. Gregor's death appeared more as a self-sacrifice, after noticing the amount of disgust and annoyance on his family's faces. Moreover, Gregor lost his purpose in life, given by his parents, since he can't work. His parents' even doesn't think there is any use in keeping this bug, since it doesnt provide anything and simply takes their resources. This book shows a good lesson about how important treating your family can be. Family should always help each other and love each other. Family should be the number one support group, through sickness and age. Even if one of your family members turns into an eight-legged creature.
I think you make an interesting point of the irony of Gregor's situation. Gregor has provided for his family by working almost non-stop, but once the situation is flipped, his family doesn't want to support him. Although Grete does originally offer Gregor food and the switching up of his room, it is her who ultimately decides and convinces the family that they need to dispose of him since he is just simply a burden to family (almost in the same way that his obese father once was by sitting around all day consuming food and newspapers).
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it feel like the relationship between the member of the Samsa family like a business? All the emotion they are supposed to feel for each other through familial bonds are completely absent. When an employee of a business stopped being useful, what do you do? You basically fire them. Employees usually work just to put a roof and food in their mouth and their bosses usually live luxurious life. Much like how the samsa family is. Gregor works his butts off while the father is living a luxurious life. Therefore, the father ( the boss) shouldn't feel bad for firing a terrible employee.
ReplyDeleteWhile i agree with most of this, its not like Gregor's family knows the bug is Gregor. I think they like gregor and they keep the bug incase its him but they have no real evidence to support that
ReplyDeleteIf Gregor's family had treated him better while he was an insect, I believe he still would have committed suicide. It isn't the interactions with his family that leave him hopeless, but the lack of purpose he feels as an insect. Gregor does not have anything against his family for leaving him in solitary confinement or the pure disgust they express when they see him. In fact, he actively tries to help his family by hiding away when they enter his room. Gregor feels depressed because he is unable to help his family in any other way. He takes pride in being the sole source of financial income for his family and with that being taken away from him, Gregor is left without purpose. This leads Gregor to believe he is useless and a nuisance to the family, contributing to his decision to starve himself to death. On the other hand, if Gregor's family had treated Gregor differently before he turned into an insect, this novel would have played out way differently than it did. It is interesting to wonder how Gregor would adapt to being an insect with the support of his family. Would Gregor be able to accept the fact he isn't the breadwinner of his household, or would he still succumb to depression?
ReplyDeleteI think it's an interesting idea, but I also think that being turned into a cockroach, Gregor has already realized his uselessness even without his family treating him like trash. He can't work and provide for his family, which is what his entire life was based on up to this point, the way his family treats him only strengthens his feelings.
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