Under Pressure//Haylee Lynd

      One of the oddest things and possibly saddest things in the Metamorphosis is not that Gregor turns into an insect, but that despite turning into an insect, Gregor is worried about not being able to go to work. There are so many times throughout the story where I wondered why Gregor had not had a more dramatic reaction to his predicament. In fact, he seems to only express curiosity about what has happened to him, at least in the beginning. He is rather more worried that he is late to work and has missed the train. For instance, in response to his appearance, he says. "What has happened to me?" (Kafka 1). In response to seeing he is late for work, he expresses, "Heavenly Father!" (1). 

     These thoughts come not for a love for his job (he expresses a great hatred for his job and his boss), but his thoughts come from his fear of not being able to provide for his family. Gregor has been working nonstop to provide for his family and pay off his family's debts because his parents are too old to do so. He has been working this job he hates for five years and will work it for at least five years because of the love he has for his family. The pressure Gregor is under to provide is tremendous. It is sad to see that the only rest he is able to get comes when he turns into a bug, and then, although his sister for a while tries to feed Gregor and clean his room, he is ultimately rejected. It is sad to think about because some people struggle greatly with this same pressure or with a different pressure, but nonetheless, one that consumes them so much that all they can think about is working hard to provide for or please others even if it results in great pain for themselves.

     Another thing I note: Gregor was as giving as he could be when he was a man. He worked endlessly to provide for his family and desired greatly to get the money to send his sister to school so that she could play the violin. This love continued even as he suffered the terrible fate of being a bug. He worried about going to work even while he could not move. He hid away so his family would not have to endure the sight of him. He wanted their happiness over his to the point of extreme sacrifice. He treats others as well as he can, but because of his appearance as a pest, his family did not desire to do the same for him. 


P.S. I commented on Braylan's and Emily's posts.

Comments

  1. Braylan StringfellowJanuary 24, 2022 at 9:14 PM

    The feeling that Gregor feels about not going to work is one I have seen my whole life in my dad. Thankfully work does not consume my dad’s life as it does to some people, but my dad has a rough time when he is unable to work. My dad is also like Gregor in that he hates his job and the only reason my dad has not quit is because he does not know how he will provide for us while looking for another job. If something were to happen to my dad that will make him unable to work, I know that me and my family will continue to love him and get him through it unlike Gregor’s family.

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