Kafka’s most famous short story begins with the classic line, “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.” The story takes place entirely in the Samsa apartment, in which Gregor’s parents and younger sister also live. Much of the tale takes place inside Gregor’s head, as he tries to fully inhabit the being of an insect, while trying to disturb his family as little as possible. This will prove hard to do. After all, they understandably find his new body disgusting. They speak about him as if he can no longer understand them. Of course, he cannot speak in a human tongue anymore to tell them that he does indeed comprehend. Eventually, Gregor gets used to his new form. “For mere recreation he had formed the habit of crawling crisscross over the walls and ceiling. He especially enjoyed hanging suspended from the ceiling; it was much better than lying on the floor; one could breath more feely; one’s body swung and rocked lightly.” Soon, Gregor finds out how tightly bound family bonds actually are. “Grete’s words had succeeded in disquieting her mother, who took a step to one side, caught sight of the huge brown mass on the flowered wallpaper, and before she was really conscious that what she saw was Gregor, screamed in a loud, hoarse voice: “Oh God, oh God!” fell with outspread arms over the sofa as if giving up, and did not move. “Gregor!” cried his sister, shaking her fist and glaring at him. This was the first time she had directly addressed him since his metamorphosis.”
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