One way to look at Gregor's transformation into an insect is that it is symbolic of an event in his life that keeps him from being able to work to support the family. He suddenly goes from being the main breadwinner to being someone that they have to pay for. In the book, Gregor becomes the epitome of uselessness by turning into a large insect, one thing that we have almost never found a use for. His inability to work is just further worsened by his family's obvious repulsion to him, even though he can't see it. This is symbolic of the family being in some way disappointed in him that he failed to continue working to support the family.
As the family gets more used to Gregor not being able to work, if he thinks he's at fault and his family doesn't disagree, Gregor might distance himself and close himself up in his room, where he will work more at his desk, which we see mentioned in the book several times. Also, the rest of the family might carry in family affairs without him. This is all symbolized in the book with the fact that Gregor listens to their conversations about finances through the door of his room.
However, this starts to break apart whenever Gregor is beginning to be put off to the side and actually dies. The removing of the furniture could be symbolizing his leaving their house, but coming back occasionally, which throws off the game of the rest of the family. His death and what happens afterward symbolizes Gregor being ultimately cast out entirely by the family, and they just continue their lives as if he had never been there.
I agree with most of your points except for the idea that Gregor would distance himself in his room. In my opinion, as far as I can tell, Gregor is forced into his room kind of like a cage, we can say this because of the repeated beatings from his father back into his room.
ReplyDeleteI like how you chose the removal of the furniture as the event that marks the family's definite abandonment of Gregor. I also feel that the removal of the furniture also symbolizes the family's dehumanization of Gregor as they feel he no longer has human needs. Going off of Martin's observation of the family limiting Gregor to a room, I think that putting Gregor in a room is how the family has placed Gregor in their minds: a place for problems they want to forget.
ReplyDeleteI like this idea. One could imagine Gregor getting the flu and suddenly being deemed worthless to the family; they are hopeful for him to return to normal so he can get them more money, disgusted by him, and want avoid seeing his diseased face. Thus, his transformation, as you point out, could just be a metaphor for something that renders him unable to work and makes his worthless to the family.
ReplyDelete