The Metamorphosis Group

Question:

jonesca27
jonesca27
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What happens to Gregor when he leaves his room to meet the office manager? What does this reveal about his father?

What is revealed about Gregor and his father in Kafka's The Metamorphosis, when Gregor leaves his room for the first time after his transformation?

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Posted by jonesca27 on Thursday February 26, 2009 at 9:39 AM and tagged with characters, father, gregor, office manager.

Answers:

  1. thewritingteacher
    thewritingteacher Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Gregor plays the role of dutiful son to a domineering father until his transformation. The father has relinquished his role as family provider without giving up his sense of superiority. As a result, Gregor's transformation is first terrifying, and then perturbing. If Gregor did not work, who would pay off the father's debts and support the family?

    Certainly Gregor's appearance is disturbing. The clerk who came to roust him to work tries to back out of the house quietly. The father, however, reacts with violence, using whatever weapon he could find (a walking stick and a rolled up newspaper) to force Gregor back into hiding. The father's response (including the "hissing") is much like the response of anyone who deals with an animal that is threatening a family member.

    Gregor's father first viewed Gregor as simply the income earner, whose contribution was expected, not appreciated. After the metamorphosis Gregor's father viewed his son, not as a sone, but as an annoying animal that must be chased away no matter what.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/metamorphosis/characters
    http://www.enotes.com/metamorphosis/part-1-division-2-sum...

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    Posted by thewritingteacher on Monday August 17, 2009 at 10:01 AM