One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to discover that he has transformed into a giant insect. His body is covered in a hard shell, and his numerous legs move uncontrollably. Despite this horrifying change, Gregor’s first concern is not his grotesque appearance but the fact that he is late for work. As the sole breadwinner of the family, he has spent years working tirelessly as a traveling salesman to support his parents and his younger sister, Grete. His thoughts race as he worries about missing his train, his boss’s wrath, and the possibility of losing his job. However, when he attempts to get out of bed, he finds his new form unwieldy and difficult to control. He struggles in vain, flailing helplessly on his back. His family, unaware of the true nature of his predicament, grows increasingly anxious outside his locked bedroom door, calling out to him with concern and impatience.

As Gregor fails to emerge from his room, his manager from work arrives to reprimand him for his absence. Panicked and desperate, Gregor finally manages to roll off his bed and unlock the door using his mouth. The moment he reveals himself, his mother faints, his father reacts with anger, and his manager flees in terror. Gregor attempts to communicate, but his words come out as unintelligible sounds. His father, now overcome with fury and disgust, drives him back into his room, injuring him in the process. Thus begins Gregor’s new existence, confined to his room and struggling to adjust to his insectile body.

Initially, Grete takes on the responsibility of caring for Gregor, bringing him food and cleaning his room. She is the only one who shows him kindness, though even her care is tinged with a mixture of pity and repulsion. Gregor, for his part, remains hopeful that he will recover and return to his normal life. He listens longingly to his family’s conversations through the walls, feeling guilty for being a burden and failing to provide for them. However, as time passes, Gregor’s family grows increasingly resentful of his existence. His father, who had been financially dependent on Gregor, is forced to find work again. His mother, though initially sympathetic, cannot bear to look at him. Even Grete, once his closest ally, begins to distance herself. She stops cleaning his room as frequently, and the family speaks openly about their frustration and despair.

As Gregor’s condition deteriorates, his room becomes neglected and filled with dust and filth. The family takes in lodgers to make ends meet, and Gregor is completely isolated. One evening, he is drawn out of his room by the sound of Grete playing the violin for the lodgers. He crawls toward her, yearning for some connection, but his appearance horrifies the guests. The lodgers, disgusted by the presence of an insect in the house, demand to leave without paying rent. Enraged, Grete declares that they must get rid of Gregor, referring to him as a mere pest rather than her brother. Devastated, Gregor retreats to his room, finally accepting that he is no longer wanted.

That night, Gregor dies alone. His body, now lifeless, is discovered the next morning by the cleaning woman, who disposes of it without ceremony. The family, upon realizing Gregor’s death, feels an overwhelming sense of relief. They decide to move to a smaller apartment and begin a new life, seemingly unburdened by the loss of their son and brother. In the final moments of the story, Grete stretches her young body, symbolizing her transition into adulthood and a future free from Gregor’s shadow.

The Metamorphosis is a harrowing exploration of existential alienation and the brutal indifference of society. Through Gregor’s transformation and subsequent rejection, Kafka exposes the fragility of human relationships and the dehumanizing effects of duty and obligation. The novel’s unsettling absurdity and emotional depth continue to resonate with readers, making it one of the most profound and enduring works of modern literature.