Metamorphic Ripples
David Lunsford Barlow
Pr. Palade-Karalanian
English 112
February 4, 2016
Metamorphic Ripples
Transformation is an experience that can contagiously affect those who are near. In the novella “Metamorphosis”, by the writer Franz Kafka, the character experience a ripple effect after the protagonist, Gregor Samsa, undergoes a life changing transformation. First this transformation allows Grete, his younger sister, in particular, to grow and mature as a young woman. Second, Grete obtains a job to support her family needs. Thirdly, Grete comes to the realization that it is absurd for Gregor to continue to live in the same house hold as the family.
First, Gregors’ transformation acts as a catalyst for the growth and maturity of his sister Grete. This becomes evident after Kafka illustrates that she is the only Samsa willing to take care of Gregor. Since Gregor new appearance is somewhat grotesque, the parents are scared to even go near him. Grete begins her duties by making sure that Gregor’s room maintains a clean appearance, and he his feed. Grete becomes so involved in caring for Gregor that she takes the time to figure out what he likes to eat. “To find out his likes and dislikes, she brought him a wide assortment of things all spread out on an old newspaper”. This is the result of Gregor leaving the previous dish left for him, milk and bread untouched in the same place, Grete had originally placed it the day before. These actions prove that Grete is exiting the meek behavior she once honed, and is now on her way to becoming a young woman.
As the story progresses, Grete gets a job as a sale girl because she realizes Gregor cannot provide for them as he once did. Grete also practices her short hand and French at night so she can pursue a better paying job. This is a huge step toward her evolution because it is her first job and a change from the norm which usually consisted of her caring for her father and reading to him read the newspaper. With this profound maturity Grete decides to utilize her new ability to make decisions for herself. She conjures the idea to remove all of the furniture from Gregor’s room so he will have more space to crawl around. Although her idea is genuinely out of pure kind intentions she does not realize she is striping Gregor from what little humanistic values he has. The items in his room are the only remaining remnants from his form, human, form
Thirdly, Grete finally comes to a breaking point when she realizes that she can no longer care for Gregor. She starts to realize humanity cannot live in the same house as a creature. Kafka illustrates how Grete starts to make a transition from being Gregor’s “willing” caretaker to resenting his entity. Toward part three of the novella Grete slowly loses interest in providing for Gregor. Entirely stopping looking after Gregor, the family decides to hire a maid. Shorty, like the rest of the family, she become disgusted with Gregor and relinquishes her position in the house. Lastly, Grete final sign of disconnection from Gregor occurs after an incident with the temporary tenants who are renting a room in the Samsa’s apartment. One night while playing her instrument, the tenants request that she play for them in the living room area. After playing for a while the tenants complain that her classical music was not interesting. Seeing this through the cracked door, Gregor becomes infuriated and decides to storm out the room and bring Grete into his room because the tenants did not appreciate her music. After making a scene, Grete breaks down and tells her parents that has to go! This is evident when Kafka states, ‘It must be gotten rid of,’ cried the sister; “That is the only way, father. You must try to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we have believed for so long, that is truly our real misfortune. But how can it be Gregor? If it were Gregor, he would have long ago realized that a communal life among human beings is not possible with such an animal and would have gone away voluntarily”- which he did.