Recently, we started (and finished)
the short story The Metamorphosis. The
early 20th century novella does a fantastic job of capturing the
true nature of humanity. When Gregor awakes as a bug, he literally transforms
into something different than himself. However, what he transforms into is
extremely important. He transforms into a bug, and not an inanimate object
incapable of communication. This is important because it allows Gregor to
overcome the metaphorical wall of communication between him and his family.
However, we see throughout the novella that this simply does not occur. We do
find that he maintains human consciousness, which presents an interesting question.
At what point does Gregor lose his humanity? Is it when he turns into a bug
himself? I disagree with that conclusion because we see that he still has
coherent thoughts even while he is in bug form. Is it when he is unable to
communicate? Again, I also disagree because he is still able to use
nontraditional forms of communication. Rather the family doesn’t really attempt
to communicate with Gregor. Is it when the family takes all the “human”
objects out of Gregor's room? In this case, I believe yes. The removal of Gregor’s human objects in
my view symbolizes the completeness of his transformation from human to bug. It is then, at that
point, the family has lost hope for Gregor.
If we read the subliminal messages
in Gregor’s actions, Gregor too knows he is permanently lost. I believe he died
because he simply had nothing left to live for. His family appeared to be
functioning just as well as (or even better than) before. He only seemed to
provide economic support, and even that was well taken care of. At that point,
Gregor realized he was causing more problems than he was solving. With a heavy
heart, he took his last breath. It was only then that the burden of caring for Gregor that was placed on the
family was lifted, and the family could finally be free.
.
