Not Too Tragic After All

In Metamorphosis, readers are taken throught the strange journey of Gregor's supposed transformation into the body of an insect. The fact that he changes into such a creature reflects the many similarities between their lives. Before his abrupt transformation, Gregor lives the life of a busy worker, much like that of a bee or ant. Working to provide for his family parallels the way insects work for the good of the entire hive or nest. Gregor's dedication is evident through him five years of perfect attendance. He has never once "been ill," until now. His "exhausting job" is always on his mind, but perhaps Gregor is forced to endure this transformation, whether metaphorically or physically, because he needed to step out of his position as the only caregiver in the family. Gergor's life is consumed with work, and in doing so, he sacrifices much of his own existence. His transformation is a wake-up call for him to realize the imbalance in his life, and the life of his family.
The Samsa family has grown increasingly unproductive. Gregor's transformation forces them to find a way to survive, without relying soley on one man's work. Gregor's parents do not work, and his sister lives a pathetic existence with no aspirations. Grete's parents "discourage innocent references" to Gregor's hope for Grete to attend the conservatorium. They basically write off any references to her future. Gregor's transformation is not so much tragic, because the ultimate sacrifice he gives to his family is their rejuvenation. His death is a "confirmation of their new dreams...improvement in their condition." The Samsa family is now "aware of thier daughter's increasing vivacity," and now recognize her talents and potential. Gregor's ultimate sacfrice when he ceases to exist as the worker, the insect to his family, parallels the sacfrice that Jesus made for others. There are many references to Gregor being agonized and tormented and then "nailed to the spot," when he's an insect. Kafka inserts this metaphor in order to augment the influence of Gregor upon his family to the grandiosity of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for the salation of society.