In a battle between elephants, the ants get squashed.

Indeed, the Metamorphosis warrants endless interpretations of Gregor’s bizarre transformation. Gregor has been an insect in human form for years, and finally, his body has caught up to the “true state of his identity.” Gregor believes himself to be disposable, loathed, and worthless. He has subjected himself to authority figures that ultimately intensify his selfless attitude and downtrodden outlook.

When Gregor awakens to find that he has been transformed into an insect, he does not think about why or how he became a bug, the logical train of thought. Oddly, he is more determined to get out of the bed and catch the next train than concerned about his current condition. The fact that he has never missed a single day of work in the past five years shows Gregor’s desperate desire to please others, no matter what the cost, and solicit gratitude, even in a hopeless and thankless job. He continues to work tirelessly and subject himself to the toxic environment of dishonesty and suspicion. Gregor probably felt much pressure to be the breadwinner for the family. In addition to this financial burden, Gregor most likely was never a confident and headstrong person. In taking this job, Gregor feels he must prove himself to his family and co-workers and is so driven to achieve acceptance and praise that he refuses to leave a job, which so dreadfully demeans him in every way. It is as if Gregor has been blinded by his ambitions and cannot see the real truth. He is completely convinced that he is perfectly capable to work, despite his unseemly appearance.

What makes Gregor most insect-like is his inability to accurately evaluate a situation and apply it to himself. We often look at insects as incompetent, primitive, and idiotic pests, keen on following the insect in front of them. It is obvious his job is ridiculously strenuous and pointless yet Gregor still chooses to put himself in a vulnerable and degrading position. Yes, it is honorable, courageous, and selfless that he puts his family before himself, but in the end his family forgets about him and all he has contributed to the family. The horrible feelings of abject worthlessness fueled by his job were not worth it all. I wonder at times whether Gregor’s service and compassion to his family only crippled his family, allowing them to slack off and rely on him. However, after Gregor’s transformation, his family is quick to take charge of their lives. What Gregor lacks is the killer survival instincts the other family members have, that ultimately, he must think about himself because his family is not in it together.
Although Gregor was insect-like even before his transformation, his physical change rapidly expedited the completion of his internal metamorphosis. While he is losing his sight, hearing, and ability to verbally communicate, he is also becoming more parasitic and treated as an insignificant creature. He spends his days pathetically hiding under the bed, fearful of scaring his family and heavily reliant on his family. Unfortunately, Gregor cannot take his family’s disgusted attitude and use it as motivation to change. He was either trapped by his own servile-like personality or his family’s stifling tendencies. Maybe, both led to his demise. (538)