The Metamorphosis: Quotes

In this section, the most important quotes from The Metamorphosis are explained. For your convenience, the quotes are sorted by character and theme.

By character

Gregor Samsa

“As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.”

This opening line sets the stage for the entire story and establishes the main theme of transformation. The sudden and bizarre transformation of Gregor into an insect represents the profound disorientation and alienation he feels in his life. It also symbolizes the larger human condition of being trapped in a body and a society that does not always fit us.

“He could not go on feeling this way. She, on the other hand, ought to have been in a good mood, since she had saved money and was able to release her father from his job.”

This quote shows the deep sense of responsibility that Gregor feels towards his family, even though he himself is the one who is struggling. It also highlights the ways in which his family takes him for granted and fails to understand his suffering. Despite his own struggles, Gregor is more concerned with the well-being of his family than his own comfort.

“He lay on his armor-like back, and if he lifted his head a little he could see his brown belly, slightly domed and divided by arches into stiff sections.”

This quote emphasizes the physicality of Gregor's transformation and highlights the grotesque nature of his new body. By focusing on the texture and shape of his new form, the quote emphasizes the contrast between Gregor's former human identity and his new, insect identity.

“Was he an animal, that music could move him so? He felt as if the way to the unknown nourishment he longed for were coming to light.”

This quote highlights the ways in which Gregor's transformation has affected his mind as well as his body. The music of his sister's violin playing triggers a deep emotional response in him, one that he cannot fully understand. It also suggests that Gregor is searching for something beyond his physical needs, something deeper and more meaningful.

“But Gregor understood easily that it was not only consideration for him which prevented their moving, for he could easily have been transported in a suitable crate with a few air holes; what mainly prevented the family from moving was their complete hopelessness and the thought that they had been struck with a misfortune as none of their relatives and acquaintances had ever been hit.”

This quote shows the ways in which Gregor's transformation has affected not only him but also his entire family. They are trapped in their situation, unable to move or change anything, and the weight of their despair is palpable. It also highlights the theme of isolation and alienation, as Gregor and his family are cut off from the rest of the world and unable to find a way out of their predicament.

Grete Samsa

“I won't pronounce the name of my brother in front of this monster, and so all I say is: we have to try and get rid of it”

This quote from Part Two, highlights Grete's complete rejection of Gregor as a member of her family. She sees him only as a "monster" and refuses even to acknowledge his humanity by using his name. This shows how far she has come from her initial attempts to care for him and find a way to live with his transformation.

“If it were Gregor, he would have realized long ago that it isn’t possible for human beings to live with such a creature, and he would have gone away of his own free will. Then we wouldn’t have a brother, but we’d be able to go on living and honor his memory. But as things are, this animal persecutes us, drives the roomers away, obviously wants to occupy the whole apartment and for us to sleep in the gutter.”

This quote, spoken by Grete, highlights the family's growing resentment towards Gregor and their desire for him to leave. They see him as a burden and a hindrance to their daily lives, and they cannot fathom how they can continue to coexist with this "creature." This quote also emphasizes the idea that the family sees Gregor as something less than human, which contributes to his feelings of isolation and alienation. The mention of honoring his memory suggests that the family has accepted the idea that Gregor may not survive, and they are already preparing to move on without him. 

“She came in on tiptoe, as if she were visiting someone seriously ill or perhaps even a stranger.”

This quote reflects the significant change in the way Grete perceives and treats Gregor after his transformation. She no longer sees him as her brother, but as a grotesque and unfamiliar creature. Her tiptoeing suggests a sense of caution and distance, as if she is afraid of getting too close to him. The comparison to someone seriously ill emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the extent to which Gregor's transformation has affected the family's dynamic. The use of the word "stranger" also highlights the estrangement between Grete and Gregor, as they are no longer able to relate to each other as they once did.

The Father

“With a hostile expression, his father clenched his fist as if to drive Gregor back into his room, then looked uncertainly around the living room, covered his eyes with his hands, and cried so that his mighty breast shook.”

This quote demonstrates the father's hostility towards Gregor after his transformation. He sees his son as an inconvenience and burden on the family, and this anger and frustration towards Gregor is evident in his actions and emotions.

“It was not until late at night that the gaslight in the living room was put out, and now it was easy to see that his father, too, had not slept at all.”

This quote indicates the toll that Gregor's transformation has taken on his father, who is also unable to sleep and is struggling to cope with the situation. Despite his earlier resolve to be strong for the family, the weight of the situation seems to be taking its toll on him as well.

“Naturally it did not occur to the father in his present mood to open the other wing of the door to give Gregor a wide enough passage. He was fixed on the idea of getting Gregor back in his room as quickly as possible.”

This quote highlights the father's lack of concern for Gregor as a living being and instead views him solely as a problem to be solved. Despite the fact that Gregor has transformed into an insect and cannot move easily, the father's only priority is to get him back into his room. This shows the father's callousness and lack of empathy towards his own son. He is solely focused on maintaining order and normalcy within the household, without taking into consideration the well-being of his own family members. This quote is a powerful commentary on how societal norms and expectations can override basic human compassion and care for others.

By theme

Isolation

“The feeling of having been deserted grew stronger and stronger as day after day passed with no word from the office.”

This quote highlights the theme of isolation in The Metamorphosis. Gregor Samsa feels abandoned and forgotten by his colleagues and employer, which adds to his already overwhelming sense of isolation. The use of the word "deserted" emphasizes how completely alone Gregor feels, as if he has been left in a barren, uninhabitable place. The fact that this feeling grows stronger with each passing day also underscores the sense of hopelessness that pervades the novel.

The absence of communication from Gregor's office also underscores the theme of isolation. His isolation is not just physical, but also emotional and social, as he is cut off from the world outside his room. The lack of contact from the outside world serves as a reminder of his isolation and increases his sense of being disconnected from society. This quote is a poignant illustration of the devastating effects of isolation on a person's psyche and emotional wellbeing.

“He would often lie there the whole night through, not sleeping a wink but scratching at the leather for hours on end.”

This quote highlights Gregor's isolation and his inability to sleep due to his transformation. The fact that he spends the whole night scratching at the leather emphasizes the discomfort and suffering that he is experiencing.

Moreover, this quote also reveals the boredom that Gregor is facing. Being trapped in his room, unable to leave or communicate with anyone, he is left with nothing to do but scratch at the leather. This creates a sense of monotony and despair, adding to the overall theme of isolation and confinement.

Additionally, the mention of "hours on end" further emphasizes the extent of Gregor's isolation. He has no sense of time, no way to gauge the passing of hours or days, and is left alone with his thoughts and physical discomfort. This quote serves as a reminder of the extent of Gregor's isolation and the toll it is taking on him both physically and mentally.

“The family itself had grown used to it; they had grown accustomed to his unsociableness and were glad to be rid of him.”

This quote reflects the theme of isolation in The Metamorphosis by demonstrating the impact of Gregor's transformation on his relationships with his family. The family has become accustomed to his unsociable nature, which implies that Gregor was already isolated and distant from his family before his transformation. However, the transformation has amplified this isolation, as he is now unable to communicate effectively with his family and is physically separated from them in his room.

The phrase "glad to be rid of him" emphasizes how much the family resents Gregor and sees him as a burden rather than a loved one. This further deepens the sense of isolation that Gregor experiences, as he is not only physically separated from his family, but also emotionally disconnected from them. The family's response to Gregor's transformation shows how people can react to others who are different or do not conform to societal norms, and how such reactions can contribute to feelings of isolation and alienation.

“He was soon bitterly reproaching himself for his continuing presence in the room, for not leaving them in peace even for one day.”

The quoted passage from The Metamorphosis speaks to the theme of isolation, specifically the feeling of being a burden on others. The character in question is Gregor Samsa, who has undergone a bizarre transformation into a giant insect and is now confined to his bedroom. Despite his grotesque appearance, Gregor still has feelings of guilt and shame about imposing on his family. He is convinced that his very presence is causing them to suffer, and he blames himself for their unhappiness.

This quote highlights the extent to which Gregor has internalized the idea that he is a burden. His self-reproach is not merely a passing feeling, but a deep-seated belief that he is fundamentally undesirable and unwanted. This is a common experience for people who are isolated or marginalized in some way, whether due to illness, disability, or social stigma. The fear of being a burden on others can be paralyzing, and it can lead to further isolation and withdrawal.

“It seemed to Gregor as if the music had even penetrated through the walls and was entering directly into his room.”

This quote from The Metamorphosis captures the sense of isolation that Gregor Samsa experiences after his transformation into a bug. While he is physically trapped in his room, the music he hears from his sister Grete's violin playing serves as a connection to the outside world. The fact that the music "penetrated through the walls" suggests that Gregor's isolation is not just physical but also emotional and psychological. He is cut off from his family and society in general, and the music is a reminder of what he is missing out on.

The word "even" also adds to the significance of the quote. It implies that the music is a surprising and unexpected intrusion into Gregor's world, which is otherwise devoid of any human contact or interaction. This highlights the stark contrast between Gregor's situation and the outside world. While people are free to engage in creative and social activities like playing music, Gregor is confined to a single room and has no outlet for his own creativity or social needs.

Transformation

“When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin." - This quote marks the beginning of the story and sets the theme of transformation. It shows how Gregor's physical transformation has completely changed his life.”

“However, Gregor had become much calmer. All right, people did not understand his words any more, although they seemed clear enough to him, clearer than previously, perhaps because had gotten used to them”

In this quote, Gregor's transformation is emphasized through his altered perception of language. While before his metamorphosis, Gregor's words were easily understood by others, now they are incomprehensible to them. However, Gregor himself feels that his words are even clearer than before, perhaps indicating that his transformation has sharpened his senses or changed his perspective on the world around him. Despite the fact that he is now an insect and cannot communicate with humans in the same way, Gregor has become more at peace with his situation, as evidenced by the statement that he has become "much calmer." This highlights the theme of transformation in the novel, as Gregor's physical metamorphosis has also resulted in a shift in his internal world and mindset. Additionally, it underscores the difficulty of communication and understanding between individuals who have undergone significant change, further emphasizing the theme of isolation and alienation in the novel.

“He barely had time to process the change within himself, as his mind was preoccupied with the impending consequences of his metamorphosis.”

This quote shows how Gregor is more concerned with how his transformation will affect his life rather than the fact that he has physically transformed. It highlights the theme of transformation as a metaphor for how unexpected changes in life can completely alter one's perspective.

“Gregor's new appearance also made it impossible for him to continue in his job as a traveling salesman, which he had been so proud of.”

This quote shows how Gregor's transformation has affected his ability to perform his everyday tasks and has stripped him of his identity. It highlights how transformation can lead to loss and a sense of displacement.
Identity

“He felt a slight itch up on his belly; pushed himself slowly up on his back toward the headboard so that he could lift his head better; found where the itch was, and saw that it was covered with lots of little white spots which he didn't know what to make of; and when he tried to feel the place with one of his legs he drew it quickly back because as soon as he touched it he was overcome by a cold shudder.”

This quote highlights how Gregor's transformation has affected his physical body and his perception of his own identity. The presence of the white spots on his belly further emphasizes that he is no longer human, as it is not something that would be found on a human body.

Identity

“I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.”

The quote expresses the deep sense of disorientation and confusion that the protagonist, Gregor, experiences as a result of his transformation. Gregor's inability to make others understand his condition is reflective of his growing sense of alienation and loss of identity. He feels trapped within his own body and unable to connect with others on a meaningful level, and this realization is deeply unsettling for him. The quote suggests that the process of self-discovery and understanding is an intensely personal one, and that it is often difficult or impossible to convey our innermost experiences to others. This sense of isolation and alienation is a key theme in the novel, and the quote highlights the extent to which Gregor's transformation has impacted his sense of self and his ability to connect with others. Ultimately, the quote speaks to the idea that the search for identity and meaning is a deeply personal and subjective experience that cannot be fully shared or understood by others.

“Was he an animal, that music could move him so? He felt as if the way to the unknown nourishment he longed for were coming to light.”

The quote represents the theme of identity through Gregor's transformation and search for his true self. As a bug, Gregor struggles with his new identity and feels disconnected from his human self. However, when he hears the music, he experiences a sense of longing and desire, which suggests that he is still in touch with his human identity and desires. The music serves as a reminder of his past life and his former human identity, and Gregor's response to it shows that he still longs for that identity, despite his physical transformation. The quote also suggests that Gregor is searching for something deeper than just physical nourishment, but rather a spiritual or emotional nourishment that can only be satisfied by a connection to his true self. Thus, the quote highlights the struggle of identity in the face of physical transformation and the search for a deeper sense of self.

“He was a tool of the boss, without brains or backbone.”

The quote reflects the theme of identity in the sense that it portrays how Gregor's sense of self is tied to his work and how others perceive him. Before his transformation, Gregor's identity is closely linked to his job, as he works tirelessly to provide for his family. However, after he becomes a bug, he loses his ability to work and provide for his family, causing them to see him as a burden rather than a valuable member of the household. The quote also highlights how others view Gregor as a mere tool or machine, lacking any real sense of agency or individuality.