- Our reading for this week is Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. You can find the text in Volume F of your Norton Anthology.
Please respond to any two of the questions below. You can share your responses as a comment on this post or in response to one of your classmates’ responses. For each response, please be sure to provide concrete textual evidence to support and illustrate your ideas. Responses should be shared by Friday, Nov. 18th
- How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
- Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
- Discuss the theme of food and eating. What role does it play in “The Metamorphosis”?
- At the end of the second section of the story, Gregor’s father pelts him with apples. What do you think this episode is about?
- Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this scene? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
- Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
- Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
- Look at the final paragraph of the story. How does it shape or alter our understanding of the text?
- In a separate post, I have shared your Modernism in Visual Art assignment. Please read the assignment carefully. I will be discussing the assignment and answering questions about it in class on Wednesday.
- Our class will not be meeting on Wednesday, November 23rd. In lieu of that in-person class, we will be meeting via Zoom on Monday, November 21st from 3-4 pm. During that call, we will be discussing the assignment for your Final Essay, among other things. You can link to our Zoom HERE.
- Because of scheduling limitations, we have skipped over one of our scheduled readings, “In the Wineshop” by Lu Xun. I have included a link to the story under the “Texts” tab, and you should feel free to read it if you are curious about Chinese Modernism. You are also welcome to write about it in your final essay and/or final exam if you so choose. Consider it an “optional” reading.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
When Gregor’s sister locked him in his room, Gregor’s legs gave out and he soon died afterward. Gregor’s father was the first to abandon Gregor after he transformed into a cockroach, and despite Gregor’s mother’s attempt to try to get along with Gregor it was no use. His sister in the beginning of the transformation tried her best to help Gregor, but soon she grew fed up and made the decision to lock Gregor in his room resulting in his death. According to Gregor, “his conviction that he needed to disappear was, if anything, still firmer than his sisters.” (239), what he also wanted was to be loved by his family. As his family begins to grow less and less content with their situation and unhappy with Gregor, he gets closer to death.
At the end of the second section of the story, Gregor’s father pelts him with apples. What do you think this episode is about?
The section when it shows Gregor’s father pelting the apple is when there is swift in power. When Gregor saw his father, he asked himself if that really was the father that he knew. Gregor describes his father as someone weak, who “lain feebly buried in the bed” (230), and unable to properly stand, but that was before Gregor transformed into what he is now. The father becomes more aggressive, especially toward Gregor. At the same time after this point in the story is when Gregor begins receiving less attention from the family and more frustration. The apple that was stuck on Gregor’s back which eventually led him to his death is a representation of how much or how little the family cared for him. If they remove the apple then maybe the death can possibly be prevented. when Gregor was about to die he mentioned the apple causing inflammation, and the dust that rested in it. The apple that was planted by Gregor’s father also shows how the father played a role in his death. When the father later demands nobody shall clean Gregor’s room resulting in the dust to pile up.
I liked how you interpreted the apple scene. I think it definitely was a power shift and it was sad to see how his father was ready to hurt him. His father really didn’t care that Gregor was still the same son who had dedicated his life to paying off his debts. Must’ve been very confusing to Gregor.
Thanks for these insights. The fact that the apple remains lodged in Gregor’s side does seem to be an indication of the lasting nature of the wound his father has inflicted, not just by throwing the apples, but by rejecting his son.
1) How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
Gregor’s family is profoundly changed as a result of his transformation because he was the family breeder in the house. His family had relied on him to pay the rent and aid them financially because he would be the only one working, but since his metamorphosis, his family’s apartment condition has deteriorated significantly, and they were forced to evict Gregor. Toward the end of the novel, the family’s financial situation improves and strengthens as a result of not having Gregor anymore, owing to the fact that they are able to live off of Gregor’s significant savings.
2) Do you think that Gregor is more powerful before or after his metamorphosis?
Gregor was far more powerful before his transition since he was the family breeder and was the most admired member of his family. If Gregor did not work or was not present at all, his family would lose all of their potential worth and all they own. Gregor loses his power after his transformation for two reasons: first, his confidence in himself suffers as a result of being treated as an insect rather than a human, and second, he no longer has authority over himself or anybody else. As mentioned in the story, it says that Gregor ‘realized that he lacked any direct human exchange’ and that’s when he began to process his journey of how he will be looked down upon by all the humans he had relations with before his metamorphosis.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
Gregor’s death was caused by him not eating, not being taken care of and also when his father pelts him with the apples. From my understanding he wasn’t getting enough food which contributes to his sister not taking care of him as much as like in the beginning where she used to clean and have food prepared for him everyday and after his dad pelt him with apples, his body just gave up. The lack of food/nutrition contributed to his body being wounded and the healing process to be low which caused his death.
Look at the final paragraph of the story. How does it shape or alter our understanding of the text?
It shapes my understanding in how in the beginning the mother, father, and sister didnt work or have a planned future, also Gregor was the only person in charge in bringing all the money into the house. Meanwhile in the last paragraph they are trying to leaving the house giving a sense that they are trying to leave everything that had an attachment to Gregor, trying to leave their past and erasing it from their memory. Also it seems like the sister will be the new source of income for the parents since they have announced that she is ready to get a “suitable husband” after all that she has been through which apparently has given her enough experience.
You are right to point out the significance of the family actually leaving the house after Gregor’s death. It definitely contributes to this sense that they are now “free” and ready to leave Gregor behind.
How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
Prior to Gregor turning into a bug we know that his family was very reliant on him. He talks about how if it wasn’t for his parents and sister relying on his income so much he would quit his job. The family entirely relies on him and after Gregor turns into a bug they start to operate for themselves. For example the father , Gregor describes his dad as someone weak, who “lain feebly buried in the bed”(230). However later in the story his dad gets a job and starts moving more than he ever was before Gregor turned into a bug. Showing how Gregor turning into a bug caused his family to actually start living for themselves
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Although Gregor turned into a big bug , he became less powerful after his transformation. Before he turned , he was the man of the house and supplied for his family. He would provide food and the family was dependent on him and the wage he earned. After he turns the power shifts toward his father , as his father now works for the family and Gregor just stays in his room all day. A mere parallel of what they used to live like.”Sometimes he thought the next time they opened the door he would take the business of the family in hand , just exactly as he had done before”. Showing his loss of power in the family hierarchy , from being at the top to know at the bottom relying on everyone else.
This makes sense in the context of the family dynamic we discussed in class. If before his metamorphosis Gregor had taken over the father’s role in the family system, now, with Gregor “out of commission”, the father steps back into his place at the head of the family.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
At the end of Metamorphosis, Gregor ultimately dies from a number of things. Firstly he had a wound inflicted by his fat5her that went untreated and got infected. And secondly his family stopped feeding him and caring for him. His death is so important to the theme of the story because of how his family reacts during his “transformation.” They had previously relied on him solely to work and pay their bills and they took him for granted. He took care of them but once it was their turn to take care of him they weren’t there. Once he could no longer work and provide for his family they seem to not care for him anymore. I feel like this could be interpreted as the symbolism behind Gregor turning into an insect. One he was rendered useless to his family he no longer mattered to them.
Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
I think Gregors Metamorphosis can be interpreted in many ways. Firstly, ironically. Gregor is a traveling salesman who’s work encompasses his whole life, which is similar to an insect. He finds little meaning in his existence. He wakes up early every day and does strenuous work while getting very little in return. His earnings go mostly towards paying back his parents. One point in the story I found very sad was when he was looking wistfully at a framed photo of a woman in a magazine. He isn’t able to make any real connections with people because of how demanding his job is. He says that he has to “make contact with different people all the time so that he can never get to know anyone.” I think ultimately Gregor’s metamorphosis represents how dehumanized Gregor felt by the banality of his life. It is almost like he transformed on the outside to what he felt on the inside.
I really like the way you’ve connected Gregor’s existence pre-metamorphosis to his transformation into an insect, especially the suggestion that this is an externalization of how he has already been feeling internally.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Gregor was definitely powerful before his metamorphosis. This is because he actually held weight in the family since he was the family’s breadwinner. Since no one else in his family couldn’t work and earn money he held the power status. However after his metamorphosis since he was no longer able to work anymore, this led to him having no use in the family. For example in the text this is seen when the family is talking about Gregor, “We must get rid of it, ‘ cried the sister again”. The family wants to get rid of Gregor because he serves no function towards the family in his bug form.
Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
I believe Gregor turning into a giant bug was sort of a resemblance of what his family was to him before his metamorphosis. Since Gregor was the breadwinner for the family and he was the only provider to his family while also clearing debts that belonged to his father, he served a purpose in the family. He always put his family first without asking them to give something in return and he helped them in their time of need. When he turns into a giant bug and it’s the family’s turn to provide and care for Gregor, they can’t do it because they eventually can’t put up with a giant bug living in their house and decide to get rid of them as stated in the above paragraph. The giant bug represents something disgusting and useless that you want to get rid of to the family. On the other hand before his metamorphosis when his family was like a giant bug to him he didn’t complain much and felt like he needed to help them and not get rid of them.
Interesting – I’m curious about your idea that his family were like “bugs” to him before his metamorphosis. So does being a bug simply mean being dependent and/or unproductive? Is that how he saw his family?
How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
After his metam0rphosis, the family transformed by starting to work and earn money and Selling their valued objects. Before his metamorphosis, Gregory was the head of his family, working and making money for his family, but since his metamorphosis happened, he’s not willing to work anymore.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Long before, Gregor was more powerful, but since then, his metamorphosis has occurred. He is no longer powerful. He can’t do anything on his own. His sister is the one who has done everything for Gregor since he became a bug; she is giving him food to eat. Now her sister took care of the family’s financial needs. He does not have the power to take care of his family. Gregor begins to feel ashamed because he can’t do anything to settle his family’s debt.
Could we argue that he IS powerful once he is a bug – since it is because of him that everyone has to change what they are doing, get jobs, take in lodgers, etc..?
In my opinion, Gregor’s metamorphosis made him more powerful. At the beginning of the novel, Gregor was hoping that he was a cockroach since he “could relax.” He was unhappy with the prospect of going to work but was relying on some supernatural force to excuse him from work. Gregor would not take the initiative to find another job. It was very passive of him, but he gained a sense of defiance when his furniture was moved out of his room. “Nothing was to be taken out” and he acted upon his wishes by crawling out of his hiding spot to spot his mother and sister from moving the furniture. Gregor gained the power to stand up for himself after this metamorphosis.
Interesting. So if he is standing up for himself when he rushes out during the furniture moving, what do we make of the conclusion of that scene, when his father comes in, throws the apples, and chases Gregor back into his room?
1) While Gregor was going through his metamorphosis, his family structure starts to change. Gregor’s change seems to have also changed his family for the better. For example, his sister was getting praised by their parents for how much she’s been helping around the house, and helping feed and clean up after Gregor. On page 226, it states, “He often heard professions of respect for what his sister was now doing, whereas previously they had frequently been annoyed with her for being a somewhat useless girl.” Now that Gregor is unable to help, she has stepped up to help the family to live normally and did her best to keep Gregor out of sight so that no one else would have to deal with him. Then there is his father who started working after Gregor’s metamorphosis. On page 230, it states, “But really, really was that still his father? The same man who had lain feebly buried in bed, when Gregor had set out formerly on a business trip…and now here he was fairly erect; wearing a smart blue uniform with gold buttons, like the doorman of a bank…” This describes the scene before Gregor’s father starts throwing apples at him. To Gregor, his father seems almost unrecognizable, because previously, his father was unable to work which forced Gregor to carry the burden of all the debts and the role of the breadwinner of the family. Now, his father has taken the place of the breadwinner, which seems to be confusing to Gregor. Both of these changes in the sister and father reveal how they were taking Gregor for granted and once he was going through his own changes, everyone kind of just decided now is the time to change and live a better life.
4) When I read this part I felt awful for Gregor. It sounded almost as though his father was waiting for the day Gregor would mess up and it was clear that Gregor was no longer viewed as a son to him. On page 230, it states, “He had understood from the first day of his new life that his father thought the only policy to adopt was one of the utmost severity towards him.” This shows how Gregor had already recognized his father’s disownment of him from the moment of his metamorphosis. His father thinks that Gregor had attacked his mother and displayed his anger by throwing apples at him. His father did not care at this moment that this was his son and didn’t even take the time to really understand what happened. He looks at Gregor as something his family needs saving from and takes this opportunity to save his wife. On page 231, Kafka writes, “She threw herself at his father, and embracing him, in complete union with him…” This reveals how his mother clearly felt saved by his father as she embraces him for being her hero. But this also stops the attacks thrown at Gregor, but it was too late, as he got hurt badly in the end.
Thanks for these thoughtful responses. Your description of how the family changes in the wake of Gregor’s metamorphosis seems to suggest that, while our first inclination is to see his metamorphosis as a disaster, it turns out to be beneficial for his family, at least at the beginning.
Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
Gregor Samsa evolves into an insect both cognitively and emotionally. At the beginning of the text, we learn that Gregor is a salesperson who travels around and seems to do nothing but work. His mother confirms it when Gregor’s manager comes around. She says, “It nearly makes me cross the way he never goes out in the evenings,” and she explains that he’s been home for a week and yet has not gone out at night even one time. In other words, saying that he has no life. The only possible thing that he is doing that happens to be making him slightly happy is how is paying off his parent’s debt. At one point he chooses a magazine picture of a woman since he lacked a photograph to place in the frame he made. He accomplishes nothing that is worthwhile. I believe his metamorphosis represents how he was feeling as a person. A roach is seen to be an insect that squeezes itself into tiny spaces and they adapt to them. Gregor can’t seem to get out of this lifestyle he already adapted himself into and thus it makes him feel worthless.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
To begin, consider his transformation. His father has neglected him since he changed into a cockroach. His father eventually shuts him in a room for days and his family abandons him there without food. He finally dies from starvation. But, in my view, what killed him the most was when his father pelted him with apples. According to the book “one apple, thrown weakly, grazed Gregor’s back and slid off harmlessly. But the very next one that came flying after it literally forced its way into Gregor’s back “, according to my interpretation, it was as if his father was tossing rotten apples at him in order for him to rot. His family was obviously relieved when he died, and they clearly did not care about him since they permitted him to die alone.
I appreciate your suggestion that there was almost something “bug-like” in how Gregor lived pre-metamorphosis.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
It seems to me that Gregor is more powerful before his metamorphosis. The change in his physical body made him less than and unable to be loved by his relatives. This can be seen in the first chapter when his father shoves Gregor back into his room after he finally builds up the courage to come outside. His dad acting in complete disbelief and this being his first response still proves this as opposed to trying to kill the cockroach. Additionally, Gregor is also assaulted with apples at the end of the second chapter as well. It states in the last paragraph of the second chapter, that he wants his furniture to be kept, just because it brings memories of pre-metamorphosis. Grete and his mom both thought they were trying to help him by moving the furniture out of his room but it was the exact opposite. However, they still moved his furniture just not caring about what he personally wanted.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
Gregor dies due to starvation and depression. He begins to starve after his family stops feeding him what he needs to eat. This is seen when Grete acknowledges that he never even touches his food and she just ignores it and goes on about her day. The text states, “the next time they opened the door he would take the business of the family in had, just exactly as he had done before.” This is in response to the way he feels after being alienated and completely powerless. His death truly explains that nobody cares for you when you are at the bottom but when you are up and successful everyone wants a taste. Pre-metamorphosis, Gregor was the breadwinner supplying for his entire family and recovering his dad’s debts but now that he can no longer provide the same people he was providing for do not even care to feed him.
His death is complicated. On the one hand, the family stops putting any care into feeding him. But at the same time, the text tells us that Gregor stops eating.
Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this scene? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
The scene of his sister playing the violin is especially significant for Gregor. At this moment, he feels a profound connection with the music and admiration for what his sister is doing. This reminds him of his humanity and the fact that he cannot be only an animal if he is able to be so moved by this artistic performance. In fact, his sister’s performance is appreciated by him more than by the other visitors. At this moment, he wishes that his sister could remain in his room playing the violin for him forever. The scene further proofs the immense love he has for his family, despite the way they have gradually neglected him over time.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
The direct cause of Gregor’s death was starvation, as he had not been eating for a long time. However, on a deeper level, I believe that a key factor of Gregor’s death was feeling neglected and forgotten about by those whom he loved. He notices how careless his family had become with him, simply tolerating him rather than treating him as a true member of the family. Being in isolation and ignored took a serious toll on him, and perpetuated strong feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and depression regarding his situation. This loss of appetite seemed to be only the effect of these feelings. His family truly began to treat him and see him as an animal, not trying to communicate with him nor considering his feelings during this time period.
I’m glad you wrote about the violin scene. Does his attraction to the music mean that he is still somehow human? Or at least, not fully insect?
Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this scene? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
This is a very important scene because its the last time that Gregor was shown as somewhat human. Towards the end the family had left the door to Gregor room open as to allow him to be somewhat part of the family again. It was not until his sister start playing her violin again that he walks out of the room. Before Gregors transformation he was saving money and was planning on sending his sister to music school. It was one of the things that him and his sister shared and is one of the reason that they were close, closer that any of the other family members. From their perspective they should have realized that Gregor was still inside the cockroaches body.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
I think that Gregor is more powerful before his metamorphosis because how much freedom he has. Before the metamorphosis although he’s been working as a traveling salesman to take care of his family and pay of their debt he has the freedom of choice to give that up and do something else with his life since the outcome regarding his family would have been the same. After the metamorphosis it’s seems that he has become limited to what he can do. He is confined to his room and is barley given the time off day from his family. He became less important since he no longer has a purpose to them and the only freedom he really gets is when he finally dies at the end.
Could we argue that his is MORE free as a bug, no longer “imprisoned” by his job and the need to work all day?
Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
-Throughout the text we see that Gregor is treated like an animal. Gregor is not an animal at all even though his family treats him like one. Gregor can understand whatever they are saying because he has feelings and can process his own thoughts well. Gregor feels pensive when he listens to the music. Gregor wishes to send his sister away to a conservatory when he listens to her playing violin.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
In my opinion, Gregor was more powerful before metamorphosis. Before, he was the only sole proprietor of the family and was the only breadwinner of his household. His entire family was relying on his earnings. This status of being the sole breadwinner had earned him respect. He was viewed as the decision maker of the household. However, there used to be a constant clash between Gregor and his father who wanted the same position but Gregor had an upper edge since he was earning. After the metamorphosis, his father used to beat Gregor and his room was considered household trash can.
Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
Gregor’s metamorphosis into a giant bug shows us how he portrays himself and how he feels as useless as a bug. He’s forced to work his whole adult life supporting his family and is trapped in an endless cycle of work. When Gregor wakes up, he sees that he has turned into a cockroach, but he doesn’t seem to be repulsed or shocked by this transformation. I think that he manifested this metamorphosis to happen and his physical transformation is his way of disassociating from human society.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
Gregor ultimately dies from starvation which was caused by the realization that he is unwanted by his family. Gregor’s family didn’t appreciate him when he was a human and now that he was a bug, he was neglected by them. His parents completely alienated him and his sister was the only one who still viewed him as a member of the family, but then she becomes inconsiderate towards him. She realizes that being his caretaker was too much of a burden for her. In the end, being isolated and disregarded by everyone caused him to stop eating and eventually led to his death.
How is Gregor’s family transformed in the wake of his metamorphosis?
Gregor’s family gets deeply transformed because he was the breadwinner of the house before his metamorphosis. After his metamorphosis, he can no longer work and the whole family loses their only source of money. This causes the other people in the home to become more independent and this leads to Gregor’s father becoming the breadwinner.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
One could argue that knowledge is power, and through this metamorphosis, Gregor saw how his family truly felt for him. Once he was unable to earn money for the family, they shrugged him off. He became more of a nuisance to them and they wanted nothing to do with him. He learned how his family in actuality did not love him as he thought they would. Through this knowledge he could a lead a life geared towards the truth. However, in a physical sense, after the transformation, he was trapped in his room, unable to do anything, making him weaker.
Q1: At the end of the second section of the story, Gregor’s father pelts him with apples. What do you think this episode is about?
A1: This episode is probably about how different Gregor is now compared to his metamorphosis transformation about a month prior, and how now it seems his father can’t look at him the same way anymore: his once human son who’s now a cockroach. Not just that, but also attempts to kill him with the amount of apples he’s throwing with no cooldown, one apple even severely injuring Gregor.
Q2: Gregor emerges from his room one last time when he hears his sister playing her violin for the lodgers. What is the significance of this scene? What meaning does music hold for Gregor here?
A2: This scene may be significant because prior to this moment, Gregor wanted to send his sister Grete to the conservatory because of her love for music and great skills with the violin. Gregor didn’t really like music himself, but saw how happy it made Grete feel, and wanted to help her pursue it, even if it meant spending a lot of money. This scene was the first time in a while he had heard Grete play the violin, and it probably back him back to those memories and how he remembered on planning to surprise Grete with the news as a Christmas present.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Gregor was more powerful before his metamorphosis because he was the man of the house and was taking care of his family. He was the only one who worked and brought money to the house, but after he turned into an insect, things changed. He was not the man of the house anymore and his family sees him as a “hindrance”. No one cared about him, after he was not useful to the family.
Explain your understanding of Gregor’s death. How/why does he ultimately die?
Gregor’s death was an example of how much he cared/loved his family. After his sister insisted that they should get rid of him, he decided to die in his room so his family could not be affected by his new form. This shows how Gregor sacrifices himself for his family and how he ends his suffering from not being supported by his family.
Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis? Explain your response.
Personally, I think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE his metamorphosis. We find out in the beginning of the story that he’s the one financially responsible for everyone in his household and is considered a breadwinner. His job is a salesman and with that kind of occupation, it’s not always guaranteed you’ll make money because you have to persuade people to buy your items. He plays a paternal role despite his father being alive and well because Gregor is the one responsible of paying off his fathers debt/fee’s. After his metamorphosis, we see that his family completely disregards him and we see this on page 233 when his sister doesn’t have the feeling to want to take care of him after his transition.
Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means? What does it mean to be transformed into a giant bug?
Gregor’s metamorphosis to me means being an outcast. Being transformed into a giant bug can only make people react to you negatively and in disgust and in this case, that’s how his family reacted not once realizing this was the man who financially supported the family.