The Metamorphosis Chapter 1: An

Overview
Franz Kafka was born in 1883 in Prague, the Czech Republic, to an upper-middle
class family. He grew up with three younger sisters but without his two brothers,
who died in infancy. His father was a merchant who had a bad temper, and his
parents did not support his literary pursuits. He was an intelligent and obedient
child, and therefore was considered a good student. However, his inner-self detested
authority and institutions. This would be reflected in his writing.

Kafka was an officer worker by day and a writer by night

The Metamorphosis was published in 1912, and is an example of early modernism.

Modernism occurred during the first half of the 20th century, in an atmosphere of
industrialization in a shrinking, fast-paced world. Modernist literature explores the
inner thoughts and feelings of individual characters. Modernist writers tried to break
free from more traditional writing styles, which led some to experiment with
absurdity, as Kafka does in Metamorphosis. The following will provide a summary and
an analysis, and elaborate on quotes from Chapter 1 of the short story.

Summary of The Metamorphosis by Franz

Kafka: Chapter 1
 The protagonist wakes up one morning to a strange transformation

A summary of Chapter 1 of The Metamorphosis starts with the protagonist, Gregor

Samsa, waking up to find that his body has transformed into that of a giant insect.
He hears the rain outside and starts to complain about the weather. He then starts
to complain about his mundane life and the work he must do in order to pay off his
parents' debt. Still in bed, he realizes he is very late. His mother calls out for him, as
do his sisters, thinking that he might be sick. He struggles to stand up and put on his
clothes to get ready for work. But he had already missed the train. His boss, the chief
clerk, comes to his family's house to inquire why Gregor had not left for work yet. In
an effort to get him to hurry up, Gregor hears the chief clerk call him a thief and a
poor worker for not going to work. Gregor finally makes it out of his room, but to the
horror of his parents and the chief clerk, he shows himself in his new grotesque
form. The chief clerk runs out of the house, leaving his cane behind. Gregor's father
picks up the cane and a newspaper and uses them to try to drive Gregor back into
his room. The chapter ends with his father shoving Gregor back through his
bedroom door and slamming it shut.

The father takes a cane and a newspaper to threaten his son

The Metamorphosis Chapter 1: Analysis
Tone is important in The Metamorphosis to create the feeling of shock and horror in
the reader. Kafka used the absurdist tone to contrast the painful regularity or
repetition of Gregor's life. He is expected to wake up early, catch the train on time,
work all day, return home, only to do the same the next day. His repulsive bug-like
state allows him to revolt against this life by rendering him physically unable to do
his job or have normal communication, even with his own family.

Prior to his metamorphosis, Gregor felt alienated and disillusioned with his
mundane life and meaningless job. However, as he slowly wakes up, he is also slowly
coming to the conclusion that he can no longer continue with his miserable life. His
boss and family, however, are unable to accept this change in him. Although his
inner subconscious needs to be fulfilled by manifesting into his outer physicality, it is
done to the horror of everyone around him. Chapter 1 ends with him no better off
than before, as he is now an imprisoned creature in his room.

The Metamorphosis Chapter 1: Quotes

Here are some notable quotes from Chapter 1 of Metamorphosis:

 "One morning, when Gregor Samsa woke from troubled dreams, he found
himself transformed in his bed into a horrible vermin. He lay on his armour-
like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly
domed and divided by arches into stiff sections. The bedding was hardly able
to cover it and seemed ready to slide off any moment. His many legs, pitifully
thin compared with the size of the rest of him, waved about helplessly as he
looked." This is the first paragraph of Chapter 1, and it is a shocking opening
that pulls the reader into the story right away. What is bizarre is that the
protagonist is as confused as the reader about his new physical state.
 "Oh, God... what a strenuous career it is that I've chosen! Travelling day in
and day out... It can all go to Hell!" Gregor's thoughts show that he is fed up
with his life as a traveling salesman. His inner turmoil has manifested into his
new pathetic physical being.
 "That was something his parents did not understand very well; over the
years, they had become convinced that this job would provide for Gregor for
his entire life, and besides, they had so much to worry about at present that
they had lost sight of any thought for the future. Gregor, though, did think
about the future." This quote shows that Gregor feels his work/life is
meaningless, but his parents, and the chief clerk, upon seeing this truth, are
horrified with him.
 "Then his father gave him a hefty shove from behind which released him
from where he was held and sent him flying, and heavily bleeding, deep into
his room. The door was slammed shut with the stick, then, finally, all was
quiet." Chapter 1 ends with Gregor's father's abuse instead of his help. As
Gregor is now trapped back in his room, it is unclear if he is in a place of
safety or further danger.
Lesson Summary
Chapter 1 of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis starts out with the protagonist,
Gregor, having difficulty getting up because of his large bug body. He tries to get
ready for work, but is late and has already missed his train. As a result, his boss, the
chief clerk, comes to his family's house to look for him. The chief clerk accuses
Gregor of being a thief and a poor worker for not going to work on time. Upon
seeing Gregor in the form of an insect, the chief clerk is as horrified as Gregor's
parents and sisters, and proceeds to run out of the house. Gregor's situation is the
culmination of his subconscious loathing of his life and work, which he does only to
pay off his parents' debt. Gregor's need for change is shown symbolically through his
sudden metamorphosis. However, his need is not acceptable to those around him,
as exaggerated through their reaction of fear and terror. In chapter two of Franz
Kafka's 'Metamorphosis,' Gregor Samsa becomes more comfortable with his
transformation. He begins to move about his room, but it comes at a price. His
father still sees him as a threat and begins to treat him as such.

Nourishment
How would you react if one morning you had transformed into an insect? Perhaps
an absurd thought, but it does address an interesting point. If our life were to
change to the extent that nothing was familiar, what would we do? Would we
become passive, or attempt to find a way to adapt and possibly overcome new
obstacles? Gregor Samsa doesn't bemoan his transformation. Instead, he attempts
to adapt, which includes learning what to eat.

Gregor's sister, Grete, still loves her brother. She brings him a basin of milk with
pieces of bread floating in it. She knows that milk ''had been his favorite drink,'' but
now Gregor discovers that it ''repulses him, and he crawls away from the basin of
food.'' What is he to do now? He is extremely hungry, but cannot leave his room, lest
he disrupt the calm of his family with his repulsive form.

Grete catches on quickly. She notices that the food has not been touched, but the
milk has been spilled. She clears it away, and returns later with an assortment of
food. She gives Gregor options to choose from to see what appeals to him. She
leaves pieces of unripe fruits and vegetables, leftover food from the evening before,
stale bread, and some cheese. Gregor devours the cheese. He begins to adapt.

Finances
The one meal of cheese bulks Gregor's insect frame to the point where it becomes
difficult for him to hide effectively under the sofa. In order to prevent his sister, or
anyone else, from catching sight of him, he drapes a sheet over the sofa. It covers
some of where he hides so Grete will not fully see him. While things look like they
might be getting better, Gregor learns otherwise when he eavesdrops on the family
conversations.

The cook quits her job, as she is afraid of Gregor. Grete must step in to help with
these duties. Then, he overhears his father discussing the family finances. Although
he has a little sum leftover from his failed business, the remaining finances of the
family are from Gregor's earnings. His earnings were not spent in full every month,
so there now remains ''a small capital sum.'' Gregor calculates that the family could
live ''for a year off the interest...at the most two, they could live on the principal.''
How will his family survive once this is gone?

His father isn't old, but he is no longer physically fit. His mother has asthma. Grete is
seventeen, and musically talented. Gregor wanted to send her to school for this, but
now, that will likely never happen. As a result of his failure to sufficiently provide for
the family, Gregor feels ''hot with shame and grief.'' The family will have to adapt to
the loss of income and need for future earnings.

Exercise
There isn't much for Gregor to do. He is essentially a prisoner in his own room. The
room is small with furniture occupying a good portion of the floor space. Gregor
can't spend all day under the couch, so he learns to walk on the walls and ceiling. He
finds this ''much better than lying on the floor.'' This sort of activity helps Gregor
''gain better control of his body, to the point where a big fall did him no harm.'' Grete
notices the trail he leaves, and decides to remove some of the furniture from his
room to create more room for him to move.

Gregor's mother becomes convinced that Grete is correct in her assessment.

However, while they are moving furniture from his room, she has a change of heart.
She thinks that the removal of the furniture might give the impression that ''we have
given up hope of his ever getting better?'' This is the first indication that Gregor's
family mentions hope regarding Gregor's possible recovery. In leaving the furniture,
they are preserving certain aspect of his humanity. They still perceive Gregor as
human, even if his appearance provides a different perception.

Fear
Despite his best intentions to remain hidden, Gregor is seen by his sister, who
''jumps back in alarm and bangs the door shut.'' His mother later sees him on the
wall, and has an asthma attack. These reactions demonstrate the family's fear of
Gregor and what he has become. They hope Gregor will return to normal, but for the
time being, he is seen as a monstrosity. Because they don't understand what has
happened, they fear him. This is best represented through the actions of Gregor's
father.

When Gregor's father returns home the day his mother has an attack, he knows
immediately whom to blame. He comes after Gregor, throwing apples at him. One
glances off him, but a second lodges in his back, causing intense pain. As he loses
consciousness, he sees his mother ''rushing toward his father...embracing him...to
beg for her son's life.'' This simple act shows the division that has been created in the
family.

Although they cannot stand the sight of Gregor, both his sister and mother show
compassion and kindness in trying to better his life. They feed him and attempt to
clear his room to create more space. They still fear what he has become, but at least
they recognize that some part of him is still Gregor. Not his father. The only thing his
father sees is a monstrosity, one that needs to be dealt with. To him, his son is dead.
Any compassion or love he once felt for Gregor is now dead and gone, similar to
what he wishes would happen to Gregor.

Lesson Summary
Gregor's life no longer exists. All that is left to him is a bug's life, to which he
struggles to adapt. He learns, with the help of his sister, what food he can eat. He
finds new ways to entertain himself while prisoner in his room. The signs of walking
on the walls and ceiling show that he is willing to adapt to his circumstances.

Gregor's mother shows signs of missing her son. Although his appearance is hideous
and creates fear, his mother believes he retains his humanity. His father, however,
represents the fear and distrust of anything that is unknown. Rather than seeing his
son, he sees financial loss and the loss of a son, replaced by a monster he cannot
stand. This fear represents his unwillingness to adapt to change.

The Metamorphosis: Overview

The Metamorphosis, written by novelist Franz Kafka, is a novella that was first
published in 1915. It tells the story of a man named Gregor Samsa who goes to sleep
and wakes up the next morning to realize he has been transformed into a large
cockroach-like insect. The story shows Gregor's struggle to adjust to his new state as
he continues his life of thinking human thoughts. His family does their best to still
accept him as a member of that unit. Many people in Gregor's life fear his
appearance at the first sight of him, including his maid, who begs the family to fire
her once she sees him, and his boss, who flees when he takes his first look at Gregor
after his transformation. Grete Samsa, Gregor's sister, seems to have the most
understanding of his transformation and tries to adapt to the reality of his
metamorphosis. In chapter 1 of the novella, after Gregor wakes up to discover he
has transformed into a giant bug, he begins to examine his life and his new reality.
He has a difficult time adjusting to his new reality. In chapter 2, Gregor starts to
become more used to his transformation, but his family, especially his father, still
struggles with his son's new state.

The Metamorphosis: Chapter 3 Summary

In chapter 3 of The Metamorphosis, the end of the story's protagonist, Gregor, occurs.
Although Gregor has attempted to adjust to his transformation, he is having a
difficult time adapting to his new life. He finds himself ill with a skin infection and
very hungry because he has not found food that he wants to eat. Gregor's living
situation has also become a problem. His family has taken in boarders to earn
money, and space is cramped. Much of the family's unwanted and unused items are
now stored in his room, which makes Gregor feel unwanted and unappreciated.
The family has so far been successful in hiding Gregor from the boarders, but this
ends one night when Gregor wanders out of his room. But why does Gregor leave
his room, knowing his startling transformation? He does this because he is drawn to
the music his sister has been playing on her violin. The music and the desire to see
his sister cause him to briefly forget about his transformation. The boarders
unfortunately spot Gregor, and out of fear of seeing this giant bug, they decide to
vacate the apartment.

The family decides Gregor must leave after a meeting to discuss the situation. The
most adamant about this is Grete, who started as the one having the most empathy
and care for her brother when his transformation first occurred. Gregor, who is
already starving, continues to starve himself. He dies from his lack of food and is
found the next morning by the cleaning woman. The cleaning woman, who gets rid
of Gregor's corpse after his death, simply removes his body with the rest of the
garbage she is cleaning. In the end, the family feels relief that they no longer have to
deal with the burden that was Gregor.

The novella ends with the family taking time off from their jobs to spend the day in
the country together. They realize their future is once again bright, and optimism for
a great future for the family has returned.

The Metamorphosis Ending: Analysis

How Gregor died in the story can be interpreted by readers in different ways. Many
readers wonder why Gregor starved himself to death? Some believe Gregor simply
stops eating because he is saddened by his transformation as well as his family's lack
of love. The starvation in this case represents Gregor's hunger for love and comfort.
Readers also believe Gregor intentionally starves himself in the end because he
knows his death is essential if his family will ever be happy again. He realizes his
family's happiness is more important than his own happiness and even his own life.

Although Gregor's transformation is odd in itself, the use of surrealism throughout

the novella allows readers to accept the protagonist's drastic change. Surrealism was
developed in Europe after World War I, and artists, such as writers like Kafka, started
to depict illogical elements in their work to allow the unconscious mind to express
itself. Readers tend to not question Gregor's transformation and instead focus on
the present issue that he faces of looking like a bug but still wanting to hold onto his
humanity. There is a conflict in the novella regarding Gregor's desire to live his life
and have society, especially his family, accept him, all while knowing his physical
appearance is hard to digest. His family experiences this conflict as well. For them, it
gets more difficult throughout the story to accept Gregor's metamorphosis. The
family begins to realize his appearance is keeping them from living a happy and
normal life.

The overall theme in The Metamorphosis is the importance of perception. The way
someone sees a situation can directly impact the experience as a whole and the
outcome of that situation. The more Gregor and his family see him as a bug and less
of a human and family member, the easier it is for everyone to accept a life without
him in it. This is especially shown when Grete, the most understanding of Gregor's
situation, begins to refer to him as "it" and sees him as less of a human. When
Gregor dies, none of his family sees his death as a negative thing. Instead, they
celebrate the ability to live their lives fully now that he is gone.

The Metamorphosis: Chapter 3 Quotes

"Gregor's serious wound, from which he suffered for over a month, seemed by itself
to have reminded the father that, in spite of his present unhappy and hateful
appearance, Gregor was a member of the family, something one should not treat as
an enemy, and that it was, on the contrary, a requirement of family duty to suppress
one's aversion and to endure nothing else, just endure.

At one point in the story, Gegor's father throws an apple at him, injuring his back.
The apple is stuck there and no one tries to help him. This is one moment in the text
that shows his family slowly releasing themselves of their love for Gregor. Gregor
also tried to endure the pain and just hoped his family would not treat him like an
enemy.

"It even happened that various pieces of family jewelry, which previously the mother
and sister had been overjoyed to wear on social and festive occasions, were sold, as
Gregor found out in the evening from the general discussion of the prices they had
fetched."

Now that Gregor is no longer able to provide for his family, they must find other
ways to financially support themselves, such as selling their fine jewelry. It is just one
way Gregor's transformation is a burden for the household.

"Growing more silent and almost unconsciously understanding each other in their
glances, they thought that the time was now at hand to seek out a good, honest man
for her."

Gregor has died at the end of the story, and the family is not sad but instead relieved
that they can start living their normal life again. This includes Grete, hopefully finding
a husband.

"He must go," cried Gregor's sister, "that's the only solution, Father. You must just try
to get rid of the idea that this is Gregor. The fact that we've believed it for so long is
the root of all our trouble. But how can it be Gregor? If this were Gregor, he would
have realized long ago that human beings can't live with such a creature, and he'd
have gone away on his own accord."

Gregor's appearance during his sister's violin performance was the end of Grete's
patience for him. She slowly becomes less accepting of Gregor throughout the book,
and she is in fact the one to persuade her parents to "get rid" of him.

"He thought of his family with tenderness and love. The decision that he must
disappear was one that he held to even more strongly than his sister, if that were
possible."

Hearing his family talk about wanting to get rid of him severely impacted Gregor's
health. He was not angry with his family, but instead cared about his family enough
to know that he could no longer burden them with his presence.
Lesson Summary
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka is a surrealistic novella about a man and his
gruesome transformation into a bug. Kafka's main message in the story is the
importance of perception, and this is shown when Gregor dies and the family is
finally hopeful that they can live a fulfilling life. The family cannot live normally
because of Gregor's appearance. When he is drawn out of his room one day while
listening to his sister Grete play the violin, the family's boarders see Gregor in his
insect form. They are, of course, shocked and leave, creating another problem for
the household. This causes Grete, the one person who tried to be understanding of
Gregor's new condition, to have a change of perception. She finally gives up on
Gregor and begins referring to him as "it."