Here is an analysis of Gregor Samsa's character in The Metamorphosis.


For the first fourteen days, Gregor’s parents could not bring themselves to come into the room to see him. He would often hear them say how they appreciated all the new work his sister was doing even though, before, they had seen her as a girl who was somewhat useless and frequently been annoyed with her.


The same tired man as used to be laying there entombed in his bed when Gregor came back from his business trips, who would receive him sitting in the armchair in his nightgown when he came back in the evenings; who was hardly even able to stand up but, as a sign of his pleasure, would just raise his arms and who, on the couple of times a year when they went for a walk together on a Sunday or public holiday wrapped up tightly in his overcoat between Gregor and his mother, would always labour his way forward a little more slowly than them, who were already walking slowly for his sake; who would place his stick down carefully and, if he wanted to say something would invariably stop and gather his companions around him. He was standing up straight enough now; dressed in a smart blue uniform with gold buttons, the sort worn by the employees at the banking institute; above the high, stiff collar of the coat his strong double-chin emerged; under the bushy eyebrows, his piercing, dark eyes looked out fresh and alert; his normally unkempt white hair was combed down painfully close to his scalp.

Gregor is a thoughtful and compassionate person. However, he lives a life he does not enjoy. Gregor hates his job. He thinks, “Oh God, what a strenuous career it is that I’ve chosen! (…) there’s the course of travelling, worries about making train connections, bad and irregular food, contact with different people all the time so that you can never get to know anyone or become friendly with them.”

Samsa's character undergoes a significant transformation.

Gregor Samsa, the protagonist of Franz Kafka's novella "The Metamorphosis," undergoes a profound transformation both physically and psychologically, which serves as the central theme of the narrative. Initially presented as a hardworking and dutiful son, Gregor's transformation into a giant insect challenges his sense of identity and belonging. Throughout the story, Kafka intricately explores Gregor's character, revealing his internal struggles, relationships with others, and ultimately his tragic fate.

From the outset, Gregor is depicted as a responsible and dedicated individual, driven by his commitment to support his family financially. Despite his dissatisfaction with his job as a traveling salesman, Gregor perseveres out of a sense of duty and obligation towards his parents and sister. His selfless devotion to his family is evident in his willingness to sacrifice his own happiness for their well-being, a characteristic that defines his identity before his metamorphosis.

Franz Kafka is a German novelist who wrote “The Metamorphosis.” In the story, he uses a third person point of view narrative. The novel uses absurdum, which exaggerates and dramatize the absurdity of modern life. The protagonist, Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman, struggles with an external factor of transforming into an insect like creature. The transformation was not under his control and now struggles with a new identity.

However, Gregor's transformation into a monstrous insect symbolizes his alienation from society and his gradual disintegration of self. As he grapples with his new physical form, Gregor experiences a profound sense of isolation and estrangement from his family and the outside world. His inability to communicate effectively further exacerbates his sense of otherness, leading to a breakdown in his relationships and an increasing sense of despair.


Gregor Samsa Character Analysis - EduBirdie

Throughout the story, Gregor’s father undergoes tremendous transformations. Even when Gregor was a human, they did not have close relationships. However, after Gregor was unable to provide for the family anymore, Mr. Samsa’s feelings towards his son came up. Their relationships form a father-son antagonism theme in the story.

The Metamorphosis Characters - Gregor Samsa Character Analysis

In conclusion, Gregor Samsa's character undergoes a profound transformation in Kafka's "The Metamorphosis," symbolizing themes of alienation, identity, and existential despair. Through Gregor's journey, Kafka explores the complexities of human existence and the fragility of the human psyche when confronted with the absurdities of life. Ultimately, Gregor's tragic fate serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent struggles of the human condition and the search for meaning in an indifferent world.

Gregor Samsa Character Analysis in The Metamorphosis - LitCharts

He looks old and unhealthy at the beginning of the story, unable to take care of himself, let alone of his family. However, he considers financial stability his responsibility after Gregor’s transformation. So, he finds a job and starts wearing a uniform.

Gregor Samsa Character Analysis - Just Great DataBase

Gregor’s father is often described as hostile and indifferent to his son’s suffering. Mr. Samsa’s name is not revealed in the story. All the readers know about him is that his business failed, and now Gregor works tirelessly to pay off the debts. In Part I, he is described as a weak older man unable to move and work. He spends most of his day in his nightgown sitting in his armchair. After Gregor’s transformation, he has to go back to work as a bank attendant. He also has enough physical strength to hurt and attack Gregor on multiple occasions. Mr. Samsa transforms physically more than any member of the Samsa family. After he goes back to work, he regains his masculinity and loses weight. The father also changes his clothing into a . He becomes attached to his new suit and refuses to take it off even in the evening.

Gregor Samsa Character Analysis | Free Essay Example for Students

Mrs. Samsa in The Metamorphosis keeps her love for Gregor after his transformation, calling him “her unfortunate son.” However, she cannot bear his new look and faints the first time she sees Gregor.