Respected to a Burden

Gregor is metamorphosing into a burden to his family. He was once the provider, but now he dehumanized by his own family. His physical change is the cause for his absence at work however, his inability to communicate with his own family has left estranged.

Similar to Nora in A doll House, Gregor has exited his expected role in the family dynamic, which has left him to pursue his own interests. Just like Nora he originally sticks to the old identity, but after seeing how his family treats him he no longer clings to his former self. For example, he didn't want furniture covering his room since it hinder his ability to "crawl about" (Kafka 207). This would allow him to become a person of freedom, where he can live the way he wants to live. Gregor had no concern about fitting into the human cycle of life since he was on "the verge of forgetting" (Kafka 207). Outside of his sister, his family had no care for him, so it was easy for Gregor to feel forgotten.

His new form leaves him unable to apart of family in a traditional way, which is only what his family wants out of him. Just like in his family he is also alienated by work and society. His boss and society only value him as a worker and not as a human just like his family. For example, his boss only shows up since he is missing Gregor's productivity and not to see if he is okay.