Upon first glance, Kafka's infamous The Metamorphosis appears to be, as Hibberd states, a "personal nightmare"; Gregor transforms into an insect and is left to die by his family as a result. However, close analysis reveals that Kafka utilizes this transformation to symbolize the effects of labor on humanity.

Evidence of this can be found in Gregor's thankless work as a travelling salesman. Before his metamorphosis, Gregor complains of feeling isolated from humanity in his job, describing "constantly changing human relationships that never come from the heart" (4). In this context, his transformation into another species entirely is just the physical manifestation of the dehumanization he was already experiencing through his labor.

Further evidence can be found in the immediate reactions to Gregor's transformation. Gregor's employer comes to the house looking for him, not to check on his health, but to tell him that he must work even if he isn't feeling well. Gregor's family immediately start worrying about the financial trouble that his condition will cause and give no concern to his well-being. Gregor's own first thought is that he must find a way to continue to work in spite of his transformation. Through these reactions, Kafka demonstrates how labor warps humanity and reduces the value of human beings to their capacity to work.