Metamorphosis – Kevin Chen

1. Do you think that Gregor is more powerful BEFORE or AFTER his metamorphosis?  Explain your response.

I think Gregor is more powerful after his metamorphosis because he no longer carries the burden of the family nor is he bound to the jurisdiction of man. Prior to his metamorphosis, Gregor’s role is the main provider for the family. Despite loathing his job, he held himself accountable for serving the needs of his family and repaying its debt. After his metamorphosis, the roles are swapped because he is no longer capable of providing for his family. Despite the initial greeting he received from his family after his metamorphosis, things turned sour really fast. His family began lamenting the fact that they needed to take over his role. His sister who greeted him with utmost care at the beginning became resentful of him and eventually viewed him as a nuisance. He became somewhat of an eyesore in the eyes of his family, and this realization made him only more powerful. His metamorphosis, although disabled him from supporting his family, at the same time rid of his burden and introduce him to a different scope of reality. The reality that he is no longer needed and his presence is a mere burden to his family. Gregor is more powerful after his metamorphosis because he is capable of choosing death, instead of being a prisoner to the affairs of man. 

2. Ultimately, what do you think Gregor’s metamorphosis means?  What does it Look at the final paragraph of the story. How does it shape or alter our understanding of the text?

In the final paragraph of the story, Gregor’s family visited a park and discussed their future, a future without Gregor. The text states “Sitting back comfortably in their seats, they discussed the prospects for the future;”. (241) In my view, Gregor’s metamorphosis is an opportunity to escape from the brutality of society. Intelligence has granted mankind their advanced civilization, yet has stripped away their appreciation for nature. We discern everything with a value and loathe those that are worthless. In Gregor’s scenario, he went from someone who holds much value for the family to someone who is disabled and worthless. Gregor’s metamorphosis gave him an opportunity to escape from the brutality of society, free from the affairs of man. Ultimately, intelligence brought his demise and in his final moments of despair he chose death. The final paragraph of the story is used to portray the brutality of society, those who are no longer capable of creating value are rejected and forgotten.