Killing Indifference in Metamorphosis Even before the story begins, each member of the Samsa family in Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis has a specific purpose. Gregor Samsa, the tragic protagonist of the story, carries out his work with routine precision. It is this role of providing to support his relationship with the family. But at the beginning of the story, Gregor is inexplicably transformed into a gigantic insect.² (p. .67) This transformation, in addition to jeopardizing his role both in society and at work, seriously affects his relationship with his family. The resulting indifference, alienation and ultimately hatred he inspires in his family is the source of his death. Because without the emotional support and essential role within the family that Gregor had held before his metamorphosis, he is unable to sustain life. Even after Gregor becomes an insect, his initial reaction is not one of alarm. Surprisingly, his first response is to come up with some sort of plan to secure his job and therefore his role in the family. The only reminder of urgency that interrupts his “cold reflection” is the arrival of the prosecutor (p.73). This is why Gregor laments his fate of being “condemned to work for a company where the smallest omission can give rise to the highest suspicion” (p. 74). It's as if he would most likely completely neglect his more immediate and urgent condition of being a bug if it didn't stop him from going to work. Gregor, in fact, finally risks physical harm due to the "agitation" he feels at the thought that his parents might be upset by their son's delay and by the pres...... half of the paper...² implores Grete to his father while he is convincing him to exterminate the insect (p.125). But the damage is already done. Gregor's exclusion from the Samsa family is what causes his disappearance. Although the description of his death involves physical characteristics, it is the memory of his family that affects him most. During his final moments, he describes the apple lodged in his back as ²...hardly of concern to him² (p.127). He then proceeds to “[think] of his family with tenderness and love” (p.127). This thought process represents Gregor's need to be at peace with the family of which he was an integral part before his metamorphosis. Because without the love, affection and care that Gregor provided and received, he is forced to succumb to his physical death..