The last four pages of Kafka's "Metamorphosis"

Essay by lakeworthredneckCollege, Undergraduate February 2003

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DW Wright

Mrs. Fahey

"The Last Four"

The last four pages of Kafka's short story the "Metamorphosis" at a brief and sudden glance seem only to relate to the changes in the members of the family brought about due to the changes in Gregor. While the previous statement might be true too, if we dive deeper into the fabric of the story we can tell exactly how each and every member of the story after Gregor's death and has changed for better or worse. The family members try to withdraw from him, trying to contain the damage, but in the process begins to change their own life stories as well--Gregor's father, who had been disabled, mobilizes and goes back to work; he changes from being an "old man" to a bank official "holding himself very erect." Gregor's sister also gets a job and seems on the verge of a new life would be just a few of the changes that occurred due to Gregor's own change.

One of the first deep symbolism is the scurrying of the lodgers "Leave my house at once!" said by Mr. Samsa (Kafka pg.441). With the depart of the lodgers it seems to bring about a new sense of life and a feeling of worth while leaving the pass behind them with the departure of the last of the apartment's "bug age." The rest of the story after the death seems to be filled with happiness and upbeat ness, "The car, in which they were the only passengers, was filled with warm sunshine. Leaning comfortably back in their seats they talked over their prospects for the future, and it appeared on closer inspection that these were not at all bad, for the jobs they had, which so far they had never really discussed...