The Metamorphosis Summary

Description

Here you will find a The Metamorphosis summary (Franz Kafka's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Chapters

The Metamorphosis Summary Overview

A journeying tradesman, Gregor Samsa, awakens to discover he has morphed into a gigantic bug. His bedroom seems unchanged and he tries to return to sleep to avoid his new reality. However, he is unable to flip over due to his new physical form, and even the simplest tasks like scratching an itch fill him with revulsion due to his many new appendages. He ponders his monotonous life and wishes he could leave his job, but he knows his family heavily relies on his earnings. He suddenly realizes that he has missed his morning train to work. Soon, his mother comes knocking and he replies, revealing his altered voice. His family thinks he's sick and implore him to open the door - a door he usually keeps locked. He struggles to get out of bed with his new form, overhearing his boss from work at their flat inquiring about his absence. Eventually, he manages to roll himself onto the floor and promises to open the door soon. When he finally opens the door, his supervisor warns him about his work performance and the implications of his absence. Gregor tries to reassure him, but everyone is unable to comprehend his words, causing them to suspect something is gravely wrong. When they see his altered appearance, his supervisor flees in fear. Gregor tries to follow him, but his father forces him back into his room, causing him to injure himself in the process. As he adjusts to his transformed body, he finds that he can no longer enjoy his favorite foods. Instead, he feeds on the food scraps his sister Grete leaves him, a routine that quickly takes shape. He hides whenever she comes, fearing his appearance will shock her. His days are spent listening to his family discuss their financial troubles now that he can't work. He learns that his mother wishes to see him, but his father and sister won't allow it. As his family adjusts to their new life of poverty, they hire a cleaning lady who doesn't mind Gregor's appearance and occasionally speaks to him. His room starts to fill with unused furniture, causing him distress. One day, Grete's violin performance lures him out of his room, startling their lodgers who decide to leave without paying due to the appalling state of their apartment. Upon Grete's insistence, Gregor, knowing he is a burden, crawls back to his room and passes away. His family, filled with relief, decides to move to a better apartment and start afresh after his death.

part 1

Gregor Samsa awakens to find himself turned into a giant insect. He takes in his familiar surroundings and sees his work tools, a picture from a magazine, and a rainy view outside. His attempt to go back to sleep fails due to his altered body shape, which only allows him to rock sideways. Gregor bemoans his strenuous job as a traveling salesman which his family's debt prevents him from leaving. He notices he has overslept and fears his boss's reaction. His mother prompts him to hurry for his train journey, and he realizes his voice has altered. His concerned family and the office manager, who has come over to check on him, coax him to open his locked door. Gregor struggles to get out of bed, eventually falling on the floor. His family and the office manager anxiously ask about his well-being. While Gregor's mother vouches for his dedication at work and his sister cries, the office manager demands an explanation. He criticizes Gregor's recent performance and accuses him of embezzlement. Gregor excuses himself, citing a momentary dizziness, while his family discuss his voice change and his sister goes to fetch a doctor and locksmith. Gregor manages to unlock the door and reveal his insect form. The office manager recoils in fear, his mother faints and his father breaks into tears. Gregor pleads with the office manager to defend his reputation at work but the manager hastily retreats. As Gregor attempts to stop him, he realizes his new agility on his insect legs. His father then forces him back into his room with a newspaper and the manager's cane, injuring Gregor in the process.

part 2

Gregor awakens in the evening, discovering that a bowl of previously favorite milk and bread has been left for him. However, he now despises the taste. With his family silent, he worries about their future welfare. A crack of an opening door and a glimpse of extinguished light leave him retreating under a sofa for a troubled sleep, vowing to minimize the effect of his transformation on his loved ones. In the morning, his sister Grete recoils upon seeing Gregor under the sofa, but regains composure to enter the room. She notices his untouched milk and bread, and replaces it with kitchen scraps. Gregor relishes the rotten food, ignoring the fresh vegetables. A routine forms where Grete feeds Gregor, cleans after him, and reports his consumption to their parents. Gregor spends his days eavesdropping on his family. He realizes his earnings have been saved, boosting his pride. However, discussions of his parents returning to employment due to his predicament embarrasses him. Gregor reflects on his familial relationships, recalling his closeness with Grete and his plan for her music studies. Adapting to his new existence, Gregor begins to enjoy his room's freedom and the view from the window. Grete continues her care, but Gregor perceives her revulsion at his sight and hides whenever she enters. His parents, especially his curious mother, are discouraged from visiting by Grete and their father. Noticing Gregor's enjoyment of climbing, Grete proposes clearing the room for more space. As Grete and their mother start removing furniture, Gregor becomes distressed, fearing the loss of his human belongings. Despite their mother's concern, Grete insists on the removal. In desperation, Gregor clings to a beloved picture, causing panic when his mother sees him. Upon fainting, Grete scolds Gregor, fetches medicine, and locks herself in Gregor's room. On arrival, their father, rejuvenated by his new job, misunderstands the situation and chases Gregor, pelting him with fruit. An apple lodges in Gregor's back, causing him to flee, as his mother pleads for his father to desist.

part 3

Following Gregor's injury, his family sympathizes with his condition and leaves his room door open, allowing him to observe their daily lives. The father, dressed in his continuously dirty bank uniforms, remains awake late into the night, mumbling about his unfortunate life. On the other hand, the mother and Grete keep themselves busy, sewing and studying respectively. They find out that they have been selling their jewelry to make ends meet and switched their maid for an older cleaning woman. Gregor, feeling guilty and ignored, stops eating and sleeping properly. The new cleaning lady has a curious fascination with Gregor and often tries to catch him unexpectedly. Gregor, tired of her intrusions, lashes out but stops when she threatens him. To accommodate three new boarders in the apartment, the family shifts most of the furniture into Gregor's room, which he finds enjoyable but tiring. One evening, the cleaning lady mistakenly leaves Gregor's door open, thereby allowing him to listen to Grete playing the violin. Captivated by the music, Gregor ventures into the parlor with a desire to share his plans of sending Grete to a music school. However, his appearance horrifies the boarders, who threaten to leave without paying. Grete asserts that they need to rid themselves of the creature they've been considering as Gregor, thus leading to Gregor's retreat back to his room where he painfully contemplates his departure to spare his family any more distress. He dies by dawn. The cleaning lady discovers Gregor’s body the following morning. The family appears indifferent about the discovery but takes note of Gregor's emaciated body. The father evicts the boarders, and they decide to spend the day outdoors, during which they pen letters to their employers, explaining their absence. Later, they fire the cleaning lady and decide to move to a smaller, better-situated apartment after realizing their surplus finances. They also recognize Grete's transformation into a beautiful young woman and consider finding her a suitable husband. With an air of optimism, Grete stretches as they arrive at their destination.