The Metamorphosis
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Character List
Gregor Samsa -
A traveling salesman and the protagonist of the story. Gregor hates his
job but keeps it because of the obligations he feels to pay off his father’s debt
and care for his family. He has transformed into a large bug and spends the rest of
his life in that state. Although hideous and unrecognizable to others, Gregor
retains his some of his inner life and struggles to reconcile his lingering humanity
with his physical condition.
Grete Samsa -
Gregor’s sister. Grete is a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. She
initially shows great concern for Gregor, but her compassion gives way to
possessiveness and resentment as the effects of Gregor’s transformation on her life
slowly take their toll.
The father -
Gregor’s father. The failure of his business has left him exhausted and
emotionally broken, and he is forced to return to work again after Gregor’s
metamorphosis. Despite the beneficial effects his new employment has on him, he
expresses considerable hostility toward Gregor.
Read an in-depth analysis of The father.
The mother -
Gregor’s mother. Frail and distressed, the mother is torn between her
love for Gregor and her horror at Gregor’s new state. Grete and Gregor’s father seek
to protect her from the full reality of her son’s transformation.
The charwoman -
An elderly widow and the Samsa family’s cleaning lady. Taken on by the
Samsas after their regular maid quits because of Gregor, she is a blunt, honest
woman who faces the reality of Gregor’s state without fear or
disgust.
The office manager -
Gregor’s boss. Distrustful and overbearing, the office manager insinuates
that Gregor has been doing a poor job at work. He flees in terror upon seeing
Gregor.
