Metamorphosis, Research Paper Example

I had always been close to Gregor. The healthy nature of our relationship, of course, could simply be reduced to the common notion of familial bonds. Nevertheless, I often thought that our relationship was beyond this and that we were truly close beyond the simple brother and sister link. What happened to Gregor, and my changing reactions to his peculiar situation, however led me to change my conclusions.

At first, when Gregor underwent his transformation, I believe that I was the only one in the family who felt a true empathy for him. This is not to say that our mother was not moved by what had happened – but her reaction was more of a horror, of a tragedy. Our mother could not, in fact, come to grips with what happened – but who, in such a bizarre situation, could? However, it is often said that relations among family are somehow different and in this sense they are different precisely because they are more open to accepting difference within the family. Namely, a great part of our social life is based on rejection or the forming of bonds based on, for example, common interests: in the family, it is the simple bond of kinship that is foundational and in this sense, if family members possess different interests and tastes, we tend to be more open to such differences than if these same differences were displayed by a mere acquaintance.

I think this notion of the accepting nature of family drove my initial reactions to Gregor’s transformation. After all, he was my brother. And, furthermore, what had happened to my brother was something that was clearly horrific. Whereas my mother, I would say, remained in a state of almost permanent shock after the transformation, and my father, it appeared, reacted more out of shame, wishing to hide my brother, I invested myself into making my brother’s life somewhat manageable for him, to the extent that this was in fact possible.

For example, I remember that because of Gregor’s new body, his room was unsuitable. I removed the furniture, so that he would have a space for movement. I think that he appreciated this gesture, as he began to find pleasure in moving around his small quarters. I understood the direness of the situation, but also tried to improve it for Gregor. I also tried to improve it for my mother. I and my father decided to not let our mother see Gregor: the shock was too great, it was too depressing, we feared she would have a family breakdown. Despite these horrific circumstances, I tried to continue to live normal with Gregor, to adjust. For example, I was the first to speak to him after his transformation. I still saw the old Gregor, despite the change. I still saw my brother, although he had become unrecognizable.

I thought that this was the acceptance of the family, that my behavior and my strong relationship to my brother would remain, despite what had happened. My changing attitude to him over time is perhaps my own metamorphosis. I could no longer accept minding after him, I could no longer accept the strains he placed on the family. It was not merely the case that Gregor was different, as I had interpreted the change from the beginning. I now saw this difference as something negative, as something that was killing our family.

It was I who finally decided to implore my parents to remove Gregor. It was I, who had shown so much strength in light of this tragedy, who was the first to break. Gregor understood me. And what I regret now is I did not feel any remorse to my decision. Gregor had ceased being Gregor. Was it because of his transformation, or was it because of my own transformation? I do not know. But I understand that even our closest relationships may eventually end. These relationships, in other words, are themselves subject to change and difference.