Later in the scene, Gregor is trying to push himself to get up, and speaks to the family for the first time, but, due to his transformation, his voice is ‘guttural’ and the family don’t understand him, which angers the Chief Clerk even more.
This anger is changed into shock as the family and the Chief Clerk see Gregor for the first time in his insect state. Confusion is also shown by Gregor who hasn’t realized that he has transformed, and is screams at by the Chief Clerk and is threatened by Mr. Samsa holding a stick. Through this, Greta is the only one to try and calm down Mr. Samsa, witch shows she still feels connected with Gregor, even in his insect state. The family then act the shape of the insect’s agony together as the silhouette of this is seen by the audience.
The next scene starts with the family in the same position as they were at the end of the last, which shows how the family relies on Gregor and their time ‘stands still’ without him. The family members narrate their own thoughts, which again, are about Gregor.
Through out this part of the scene, we get the impression that Mr. Samsa is somehow bitter towards Gregor, and this is backed up by the line. “You can’t call him our son anymore – Not that thing in there”.
Later in the scene, Greta feeds Gregor milk, and this causes another flash back, of when Mrs. Samsa used to give him milk in the morning, which makes it more of a shock when Gregor, as a insect, decides that he no longer likes milk.
After realizing that Gregor no longer likes milk, the Family goes around the house and look for old food to give to Gregor, and as they call out what they find, Gregor shouts in excitement, showing his happiness over small things such as scraps of food.
Through this scene, we also relies that Greta still feels close to Gregor as she is the one who forces the family to continue to look after him.
Later in this scene, we are shown why the father has acted bitter towards Gregor. “It’s my house”...”Is it?” this line shows that Mr. Samsa has had his authority undermined.
This is made worse by Greta and Mrs. Samsa, mocking Mr. Samsa. “Don’t look at me as if I was some idiot you had to humor.”
There is then a passing of several days, and the family is still talking about Gregor, which again, backs up the fact that the family was completely reliant on Gregor.
The Family have an argument over something as simple as a potato and a beer which also backs up the point that the family in falling apart because of Gregor’s transformation. Gregor also moans when he hears the family having this argument, showing that he still cares about the family.
In this scene, Gregor has a flashback to Christmas, when he remembers promising that Greta would go to the conservatorium. This tells us that Gregor regrets not being able to finish what he started in his life before he transformed into an insect state.
After this, the family reverts to their previous states, and there is a image of Mr.-Samsa fighting with Gregor, showing that there is still conflict between the father and son in Gregor’s mind.
The next scene starts with a completely different mood, as Mr. Samsa has got a job, and Optimism is seen in the family for the first time since Gregor’s transformation.
Through out the beginning of this scene, the attention is on the father and the family is starting to get on with their lives, which makes the presence of Gregor, become oppressive.
In this scene Gregor also starts to get used to his insect state, and he starts to make the most of it, by climbing into more comfortable positions. “I liked hanging from the ceiling. It was better then the floor – One breathed more freely”
Later in this scene, Mrs. Samsa makes it clear to Greta that she also still cares about Gregor and that there is still a strong Mother – Son relationship.
Greta and Mrs. Samsa then try to move Gregor’s furniture around, but Gregor defends his room which leads to Greta and Mrs. Samsa being shocked and Mr. Samsa attacking Gregor.
Mr. Samsa eventually throws a apple that gets stuck into Gregor’s back, this cause both physical and emotional pain from Gregor, and he feels his family have given up on him.
The next scene starts as Gregor’s dream. But then goes back into reality, where Gregor’s family have stopped feeding him and his father has completely given up on him, although Greta and Mrs. Samsa still have little hope.
In the final Scene of the play, 3 lodgers come to stay at the house, and they seem to be satisfied with the house, but as Greta plays the violin, Gregor comes out to listen to her play for the last time, as the lodgers see Gregor and leave in disgust. At this point, Greta finally gives up all hope that there is any chance of bringing Gregor back to his original state, and feels as though the “creature” is no longer Gregor.
After this, Gregor slowly returns to his room where he quietly dies.
Finally, Optimism is returned to the family, as Gregor has finally left them, and they can get on with their lives without him.
Plot and Subplot - Metamorphosis
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