In five pages the symbolism of this short story and the dehumanizing aspects of Gregor's transformation from man to insect is examined. There are no other sources listed.
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of metamorphosis and has turned into a giant bug -- literally -- something resembling a cockroach. Kafka is not specific as to precisely what type of bug his protagonist has
become. The purpose of this strange condition is to underscore the dehumanizing effects of working in a capitalist system, as Gregors existence was "bug-like" long before the actual transformation
took place. Gregor, before being a bug, worked as a traveling salesman. His life was repetitious and dehumanizing, but he worked diligently in order to repay a debt owed
to his immediate supervisor by his parents. Gregor plans to quit when he has saved enough money to pay back his parents debts, which at the beginning of the story
would have taken anther five to six years (Kafka, 2002). Oddly enough, Gregor seems unconcerned when he wakes and discovers that he has the body of a cockroach. His
first thoughts are toward catching his accustomed train and how much he hates his job. The underlying theme of the story accounts for Gregorys unconcern. Kafka makes it clear
that his job dehumanized Gregor quite some time ago. In other words, Gregor has been living as a bug for years, so the fact that his body finally matches the
way that he feels about himself is not overly shocking to Gregor. His determination to make his train, the fact that he would even consider such a possibility, shows how
much his bug-like existence has engrained repetitive behavior. His parents, on the other hand, are shocked by Gregorys transformation -- shocked and repelled. Kafka writes, "Pitilessly Gregors father drove
him back (to his room), making hissing sounds like a savage" (2002). The reactions of his parents, as compared to Gregors own reaction, suggest that they did not realize that