Essay

One major theme throughout the story is that of alienation. Gregor is alienated from his family and society after his transformation. The change has caused Gregor to lose his ability to speak or communicate, so it becomes that much harder for him to seek companionship. This is only aided by his sister, Grete, who brings him food to help him survive and get better. “The first attempt is made to feed coleopteron Gregor. Under the impression that his condition is some kind of foul but not hopeless illness that may pass with time, he is placed at first on the diet of a sick human being and he finds that a human meal of milk has been offered to him.” (Nabokov) Gregor’s family does not understand his condition and is unaware that he can even understand them. Kafka writes, “If Gregor had only been able to speak to his sister and thank her for everything that she had to do for him, he would have tolerated her service more easily.” This shows that Gregor wished to tell his sister how thankful he was, but could not. This alienation is seen again in Gregor’s need to conceal himself whenever somebody entered his room. Gregor hides himself beneath a couch in the room whenever his sister brings him food or cleans his room. Because of this, Gregor cannot reconnect with his family or the outside world. One place where Gregor’s separation is obvious is when he attempts to venture out of his room. He is met with hostility and his father injures him enough that he eventually dies from the wound. This rejection adds to Gregor’s alienation and shows how big of an aspect of his life it is.