Main Characters
Gregor Samsa- protagonist (bug)
Grete Samsa- Gregor's sister
Father- Gregor's father
Mother- Gregor's mother
The office manager- Gregor's boss
The boarders- the three characters who stay at Gregor's house
The maid- the cleaning lady at Gregor's house
Plot
Gregor, a traveling salesman, wakes up to find himself as a bug. Gregor encounters his boss. The story goes through his family trying to deal with Gregor's transformation. The family tries to care for Gregor, but they are getting irritable and having trou
Conflicts
Gregor v. his family- his family grow sick of Gregor's insect state and turn against him
Gregor v. boss- the boss and Gregor argue over Gregor's ability to work
Gregor v. himself/his family- Gregor internally struggles with his inability to please his fam
Setting
The Samsa's apartment- all of the rooms are close together; insect Gregor is bound to his room and not allowed to leave, since some of the family and vistors fear him
Author
Franz Kafka- an Existentialist; the concepts of Existentialism are present throughout his work; The Metamorphosis is an Existentialist work
Existentialism- a philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom and choice
Pertinent Information from Author
Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis with the intention of it having to be read multiple times. Abiding by the principles of Existentialism, a total view of the story must remain inaccessible to the reader.
Themes
Man and the Natural World- difference between humans and insects
Life, Consciousness, and Existence- Gregor's struggle with taking on a new life form; human to insect
Morality and Ethics- the family and peer's treatment of Gregor
Transformation- Gregor's
Tone
depressing, gloomy, sad
Syntax
Franz Kafka chooses words that go along with the concepts of Existentialism; his word choice makes Existentialism a prominent presence in The Metamorphosis
Point of View
the narrator speaks exclusively in the third person, focusing primarily on the thoughts, feelings, and actions of Gregor Samsa
Other Necessary Information
A major point in this story is that Gregor was once the main provider for his family, and once he was no longer able to provide for his family (after his transformation into an insect), his family abandoned him
Existentialist Themes
-Gregor did not dedicate much time to find out why or how he turned into an insect, he just accepted it
-When Gregor died, his family was relieved
-Gregor's family did not mourn Gregor's death; instead they moved on immediately to thinking about finding G