When people lose value as laborers, they begin to lose value as a whole person, too. Thus, they also become a ‘bug’ in society because of their inability to continually contribute to the world. Metaphorically speaking, this is how Gregor felt. He was discarded at the slightest change in his laboring ability. Following the Marxist theory, economic and monetary principles far surpassed any emotional attachment in the Samsa family.
Troy?s relationship with his father was one, which produced much tension, and had a strong influence on Troy?s relationships with his loved ones as an adult. He had very little respect for his father because his father did not, in Troy?s mind, make his family a priority. At an early age, Troy?s father beat him ?like there was no tomorrow? because he caught Troy getting ?cozy? with a girl (549; I,4).
Mr. Samsa 's behavior toward Gregor is brutal. Instead of trying to understand Gregor, he 's more intent on punishing him. Gregor is unpleasant to the public eye, in that case, he is seen differently and is kept locked up in his room. Gregor 's father has failed to support his family himself, so he behaves aggressively toward his son, due to his feelings of inadequacy. “He felt very proud that he had been able to provide such a life in so nice an apartment for his parents and his sister.
However, he gains no respect and continually puts up with the family de-humanizing him. In Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”, the well being and financial stability of Gregor’s family rest solely on him by the consent of the family making it impossible for close family relationships to form. The Samsa family continually de-humanizes Gregor with their lack of care towards his ambitions
It was instead, the mere fact that working as a slave to the relentless, capitalist society he knew as life had alienated Gregor to the point that such a change as becoming a bug was nothing more than a confirmation of his insignificant place in the world. Attention. A simple word, yet without it, even the proudest slip into the darkest shadows of life. It is essential to human survival, and is the key concept towards understanding the ongoing transformation of Gregor throughout the story. Instead of worrying about their son and his new, awkward condition, Gregor’s parents worried about themselves, and how this tremendous change would affect their lives.
But he said to himself, " Besides, I have to provide for my parents and my sister. (pp. 82-83)." He felt that his family was too dependent of him. When Gregor wouldnt let anyone in his room in fear that they would be horrified by his condition, he thought that his family was harassing him because he was in danger of losing his job, and because the chief would begin harassing his parents again for the old debts" (p. 76).
2nd ed. 1998. "KAFKA, Franz." Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. CD-ROM .
Removing certain resources from life will cause others to discover other means of living, and determine their own unknown talent or ability. For instance, Gregor was always the go to person in the family, but now with the unforeseen change the family has to rely on themselves in order to survive. Gregor is no longer a source for them. His family reluctantly takes matters into their own hands. Some gain employment, take in boarders, and discover other ways to earn money (Kafka, pp.
Internet. 8 Dec. 2000. Available: www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/freud.html Garside, Adam. "Io". Encyclopedia Mythica.
‘If only I didn’t have to follow such an exhausting profession! On the road, day in, day out. The work is so much more strenuous than it would be in the head office,’ ‘There’s the additional ordeal of travelling worries about train connections, the irregular, bad meals, new people all the time, no continuity, no affection,’ (88). Gregor’s profession contains bad travel, unhealthy meals, and the lack of the connection between people. Gregor dislikes his job very much, but he sees it as his only option, as a way to provide for his family.