Summary

　　GregorSamsaawakesonemorningtofindthathehasbeeninexplicablytransformedintoagiantinsect.Hehasalsosleptlate.HisparentsandhissisterGretetrytorousehimsohecanmakeittohisdrearyjobasatravelingsalesman.Thefamilydependsonhimforitslivelihood.Gregor,however,isnowabug.Whenaclerkfromhiscompanycomestodemandanexplanationforhisabsence,Gregormakesagreatefforttoopenthebedroomdoorandshowhimself.ThissendstheterrifiedclerktearingdownthestairwellandGregor'sfamilyintoshock.

　　Grete,morethanhisfatherormother,handlesthesituationpractically.Gregorisfed,andhisroomiscleaned.Beforelong,however,economicrealityrequiresallthreetofindwork,andlessattentionispaidtoGregor--exceptwhenhegetsoutofhisroom.Nooneinthefamilyisfullyabletoreconcilehim-orherselftotheinsectGregor,andGregorisunabletoexpresshimselftohisfamily.Thefearanddisgusthispresenceinspires(theirrationalfearofthemammothcockroach)isadetrimenttohismother'shealthandinciteshisfathertobrieffitsofviolence.Onesuchfit,abombardmentoffruit,dealsGregoradeepandcripplingwound.

　　Hobbledandneglected,Gregorbeginstowasteawayinhisroom.Thefamilytakesinthreecarpinglodgers,usingGregor'sroomtostoreexcessfurnitureandothermiscellanea--addinginsulttoinjury.YetthefamilydoesleaveGregor'sdoorslightlyopenintheevenings,sothathemaytakepartinthehouseholdinasmallway.Oneevening,thelodgershearGretepracticingherviolin.Theycallherintotheparlorforaconcert.Sheobliges,andthemusicsomovesGregorthathecreepsoutintotheparlortowardsher,wantingtoconveythatheunderstandshergiftandwillhelpittoblossom.ThelodgersseeGregorandimmediatelygivenotice.Thisisthebreakingpointforthefamily.GretedeclaresthattheymustabandonthenotionthatthishideousbugistheirdearGregor.Allsadlyagree.Gregorslinksbackintohisroom.Hediesthatnight.

　　Agreatweighthasbeenliftedfromthefamily.Afteramomentofmourning,thefatherdemandsthatthelodgersleaveimmediately.Thefamilytakesatrolleyoutofthecityandintothecountryside.Itisabeautiful,sunnyday,andasGretestretchesoutherlimbsinthetrolleycar,herparents'thoughtsturntofindingherahusband.