The dehumanization of Gregor in the Metamorphoses In the novella The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, the main character Gregor undergoes a physical transformation from human to insect. Despite this change in appearance, he retains his human brain as insect tendencies slowly take over his daily behavior. He maintains his carefree mood, memories, and inner dialogue throughout his outward transformation. Although he retains his mental abilities, it is his change in appearance that causes his family to turn against him and ultimately kill him. These events show how people can be dehumanized by society and government just because of a difference in behavior or appearance. In Gregor's case, he is transformed in an extreme way and remains human only in his thoughts and emotions. "He found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect." This extreme form of physical transformation is used to show how even a person's family can, under certain conditions, reject, abuse, and ultimately kill due to a change in appearance or behavior.....