Worthy of Sacrifice

I'd like to apologize for the lack of research that went into this post. This is merely a fleeting thought that I felt was interesting enough to post about. Previously in Discussion, we discussed whether Gregor could be likened to Jesus or Moses. Upon completion of the book, the form of self-sacrifice that Gregor suffered embodies the story of Moses. It is well understood that Gregor’s transformation ultimately led to the Samsa’s independence and liberation from reliance on Gregor’s labor, but an examination of the tragedies that are inflicted upon Gregor greatly resemble the 10 plagues that inflicted the Egyptians and freed the Israelites.

Prior to Gregor’s transformation, the Samsa’s were imprisoned by debts, failures, and false hopes. Mr. Samsa became dependent on his son to relieve him of his debt. Mrs. Samsa’s asthma produced no utility for the family’s wealth. Grete’s dream of the attending the Conservatorium was a failure upon realization that her skills were not as magnificent as Gregor made them out to be. They were all slaves to Gregor’s labor. Like the Egyptians in the Book of Moses, Gregor suffers throughout the story. The third and fourth plagues were the infestation of gnats and flies; Gregor’s transformation infests the Samsa’s household with a terrible vermin. The fifth plague was the invasion of diseases on Egypt’s cattle and livestock; the Samsa household would also be depleted of their resources as they lose their main source of income. The sixth plague inflicted boils on the skins of Egyptians; Gregor suffered as an apple, thrown by his father, pierced and became stuck in his hide. The seventh plague depicts the fall of fiery hail and thunder which is similar to emergence of the char-woman and her loud presence in the household. The eighth plague was the infestation of the locust which parallels the invasion of the three lodgers who impose themselves on the Samsa’s household. The ninth plague was total darkness, and Gregor would experience total darkness and isolation when Grete ultimately denounced the creature that Gregor had become. The final plague was the slaying of the first born son which reflects the final demise of Gregor. Upon Gregor’s death, the Samsa’s have been liberated, and they are now free to pursue their own idea of Israel and the Holy Land.