The Ending of Franz Kafkas Metamorphosis :: Metamorphosis essays

The Ending of Franz Kafkas Metamorphosis         At first glance, the final four pages of Franz Kafkas novel The Metamorphosis seem to be meaningless.  This assumption, however, is anything but the truth.  The final four pages, although seeming to be of no importance, serve to show the reader how the Samsa family changes as a result of the main characters, Gregor Samsas, death.  The familys changes are shell exemplified in two different scenes the scene at the kitchen table, and the scene on the trolley.         During the scene at the kitchen table, there is a common change among the family members their new willingness to do things independently.  Their bold act of writing letters of excuse is a clear example of their new independence.  Prior to Gregors death, the family relied completely on Gregors financial support and had lesser in terms of responsibilities.  Kafka explains this lack of work whe n he writes, they Gregors parents had formed the conviction that Gregor was set for life in his firm . . . they were so preoccupied with their immediate troubles that they had muddled all consideration for the future,(17).  By taking the initiative and writing to their employers, Gregors family proves that they no longer depend on Gregor.           The scene at the kitchen table proves revealing formerly again when Mr. Samsa announces that he will fire the cleaning lady (17).  By doing so, Mr. Samsa demonstrates that he has changed and can take responsibility.  Grete (Gregors sister) and Mrs. Samsa also show that they have changed by non contesting Mr. Samsas decision to fire the cleaning lady.  In retrospect, firing the cleaning lady is an additional step towards change from the past.           The second revealing scene is the scene on the trolley.  In this scene, Kafka reveals the fami lys plans for the future, as well as the significant changes in Grete.  He also emphasizes that leaving the apartment together is something they the family had not done in months(58).  Demonstrating again their change to independence.  Similarly, the familys plan to buy a smaller and cheaper apartment (58) further proves that they have become independent. Kafkas remarks pertaining to Grete reveal a different kind of change.  During all of the uproar involving Gregor, Grete matured both physically and mentally.