Quote 1
“ Gregor's only concern had been to do everything in his power to allow his family to forget, as quickly as possible, the bad business luck that had brought them to complete despair.”
The author recounts the details about Gregor and his family in the second chapter when he overhears his father echoing the financial situation of the family to Grete and the mother. The downfall of the family business affected the family's financial situation at the beginning of the script, and the important role that Gregor plays in the family. He is responsible for the family’s wellbeing, thus his biggest concern after his transformation is whether he will lose his job for being late for work, despite the fact that he dislikes his job.
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These circumstances show the theme of alienation in Gregor's life. Because his job requires him to travel frequently, he cannot make friends. Besides, his feelings of alienation from his parents is caused by the financial status of the family. When Gregor started earning and became the family’s breadwinner his parents were very grateful. However, they got accustomed to this state with time and their gratitude diminished, killing Gregor’s joy in proving.
Quote 2
“ Did he really desire to let the warm room, comfortably furnished with inherited furniture, be transformed into a cave in which he could then freely crawl in all directions without interference, and yet, also at the same time, quickly and completely forget his human past?”
The quotation occurs in chapter 2 where Gregor’s mother and Grete empty his room of furniture. The dominant theme here is the disconnect between the body and the mind. It signifies the pinnacle of Gregor’s fight to square his past with his present and physical form. His transformation disturbs his body but does not alter his feelings and thoughts. However, Gregor's feelings and thoughts start to change as per the physical demands and urge immediately after the metamorphosis. He finds comfort in the dark space under his seat and loves crawling on the ceiling. The changes mean that his mind is reconciling with his new body and that he is psychologically turning to an insect. However, Gregor still maintains his human emotions and memories, like the desire to provide for his family. Therefore, he is pulled in opposite directions by his human and insect side. The inner conflict heightens when he has to choose whether or not his room should be emptied. An empty room will give him the freedom to crawl on the walls and floors. On the other hand, his furniture serves as a physical reminder of the humanity he has left, thus making him feel psychologically contented.
