First and Foremost, the main character, Gregor Samsa wakes up as a bug without any explanation, showcasing the existential theme of absurdity. The first line of the novel states, “When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.” However, the reader is provided with no context of why or how this transition has occurred. This metamorphosis or change is irrational and out of natural phenomenon. In fact, it is physically impossible but Gregor Samsa is still transformed and is forced to lead a supernatural life. This concept of absurdity is also seen in the rest of the character’s reactions. In the text, Gregor’s family go about with the transition as if it was an illness that can be cured. On pg 12, his mother rushes his sister to get a doctor yelling, “Go to the doctors immediately. Gregor is sick. Hurry, get the doctor.” She even urges her to get the locksmith.However, when they are exposed to Gregor’s new appearance, they eventually react in a calm, but disgusted matter. This is seen when Greta, his sister, takes on the responsibility of taking care of him. Gregor, through his transition, only cares about the troubles he will face getting to work and not getting fired. Throughout the rest of the novel, his family, instead of attempting to find him a cure, they try to adapt to it. None of them are drastically changed by Gregor's transformation, which contributes to the absurdity of his life and the plot of the story. Furthermore, before the metamorphosis, Gregor’s character worked daily at a job he despised in order to pay his family's debt off. …show more content…
In the first part of the novel, he complains about the disadvantages of being a traveling salesman. The line states, “I’ve got the torture of traveling, worrying about traveling trains, eating miserable foods at all hours, constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get intimate. To the Devil with it all!” This quotation indicates a feeling of isolation and lack of social interaction which leads Gregor to the feeling of alienation. In addition, when a work manager shows up to check on Gregor, his mother in an attempt to save her son’s job explains how Gregor’s isn’t distracted by others. On pg 10 it said, “That boy has nothing on his mind but the business...he never goes out [at] nights...He sits there with us at the table, quietly reading the paper or studying timetables.” All this shows a lack of identity and individuality, which leads the reader to think that his transition was a metaphorical symbol for the lack of his humanity. Before his transition, Gregor Samsa led a tedious life, similar to that of a bug. He lacked the motivation to leave his bed, skipping the times he set for himself to get up and was given no choice of creativity or choice due to his obligations to his family. Afterward, he continued to feel alienated as his family members refused to spend more than a few minutes with him or communicate with him. He was completely isolated as he was no longer even a human being. Lastly, Gregor portrays a sense of anguish and as he realizes that he has become a burden to his family. When he realizes this, he attempts to stay out of their way. One day, he overhears them discuss their financial situation and how that are in need of work. The novel reads, “At first, whenever the conversation turned to the necessity of earning money, Gregor would let go of the door and throw himself down on the cool leather sofa beside it, for he felt hot with shame and grief.” This indicates how Grego