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Gregor
is the protagonist of this novella. He
is the main provider for his family, as his fathers business collapsed, forcing
Gregor to work as a salesman to help pay back his fathers debt. Gregor is
unselfish and feels fulfilled in being the sole provider to his family. Gregor
is happy to help and provides his family with a reasonably large and more than
adequate living space. Gregors secret goal is to generate enough money to send
Grete, his sister, to a school where she could study violin. Gregor loves his
sister very much and wants to do this because he loves and appreciates her
music and knows that it is something that she would want. Gregor welcomes the
responsibility of supporting his family even though he hates his job. Gregors
world is turned upside down when he wakes up one morning and finds himself in
the body of an enormous bug. Gregor finds himself in a constant battle between
his human mind and his bug-like body and needs. This creates for a really bad
and sticky situation especially for the family who are first scared of Gregor,
then learn to tolerate him and then have enough with him and talk to getting
rid of him.
Gregor
is presented as one of the nicest and most selfless people any one could meet.
He puts up with his miserable job to help his family and works hard and still
remains happy and content. He doesn’t get all of the appreciation from his
family that he deserves but doesn’t mind. When Gregor turns into a bug his
world is truly turned upside down. He can no longer work and therefore can no
longer support his family. Gregors role quickly changes from being the
breadwinner to a mere dependent. Gregor is horrified by his situation and sees
how quickly his family turns on him despite the fact that he is the same person
in a different body. Gregor can no longer work to raise money for his sister’s
violin education and can no longer help anyone, the only thing that once gave
Gregor joy. Gregor dies of sadness and maltreatment in a house he once worked
to live in.
Grete
Grete is Gregors loving and proud
younger sister who looks up to her brother for his hard work ethic and positive
attitude on life. After Gregor turns into a bug the burden of Gregors care is
left on Grete. Grete at first doesn’t mind and is Gregors proxy. She is the
only one in the family that can deal with him as a bug and brings him food and
tries to make him as comfortable as possible. Grete seems to return the favor
of looking out for Gregor as Gregor once did for her.
Grete
is quite confused by the whole bug situation but tries to make the best of it
and does whatever she can to make the situation easier for both her parents and
Gregor. Grete takes on the role of a parent, which neither of her parents can
do in Gregors time of need. Grete truly loves her brother no matter what form
he is in. Grete’s dedication and care is what keeps Gregor alive and when she
finally is the last in the family to give up Gregor gives up as well. Grete
realizes that Gregor will most likely never return to his normal state and it
is then that she gives up on him and states that something must be done. Upon
hearing this, Gregor too gives up and dies.
Gregor's Father
Gregor's father can be best described as a man
who worked hard, but
has little to show for it. The many defeats he faced in life have taken a
tremendous toll on his livelihood. The fact that his own son was out-earning
him and providing for the family instead of him, made Mr. Samsa feel
tremendously insecure. This insecurity is reflected by him wearing his uniform
around the house; this makes Mr. Samsa still feel important and superior, even
if that is no longer the case. When Gregor is no longer ‘fit’ to work, Mr.
Samsa takes on a real importance, as he was then needed to support the family
financially. It is evident that he resents Gregor tremendously for being both a
help and a hindrance to the family. Mr. Samsa injures Gregor by throwing an
apple at his back, which catalyzes Gregor’s eventual demise. The wellbeing of
the father and the son seem to work in an inverse manner: as Gregor’s injury
made him obstructive and useless, Mr. Samsa started to take on self-importance.
Even Gregor’s death, gives life to Mr. Samsa’s hope of a successful future.
Gregor’s Mother
Gregor's
mother is a rather obscure character, who can best be analyzed through her
weaknesses. She is extremely subordinate to her husband, and as a result
provides the family with little help. Her opinions are not disclosed, as she is
too afraid to step outside of her secondary role. Gregor's mother loves and
cares for Gregor but is too mentally weak to help him; this is demonstrated by
her fainting whenever she sees him. Unlike her husband, she is not positively
affected by Gregor’s metamorphosis. Ms. Samsa’s health especially seems to
decrease whenever she takes a look at Gregor. Her care for Gregor only leads to
the rest of the family resenting him. Although Gregor’s mother is primarily
seen as weak, she does also show signs of strength and valor. For one, she is
able to work and make money when Gregor cannot. More importantly, she is able
to save Gregor from her husband’s malicious attack.
Gregor and Grete By: Jason SchneiderGregor's Mother and Father By: Brandon Levy
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