“Gregor’s serious wound, from which he suffered for over a month- the apple remained imbedded in his flesh as a visible souvenir since no one dared to remove it-seemed to have reminded even his father that Gregor was a member of the family…” (Kafka 38). Despite his family’s disgust for his new shape, Gregor had to be respected and protected as a member of the family.

           

His family’s lifestyle changed a lot after Gregor’s transformation. His Father went back to work and returned home exhausted each day. He was not happy that he had to return to work, but was often found wearing his uniform around the house, which was a symbol of pride and importance to him. Gregor’s mother had to sacrifice some of her luxuries, such as her jewelry, in order to support the family. The maid was fired and a cleaning woman was hired to do a smaller amount of work. Gregor’s room became dirtier and dirtier as time went on because it became the home for unwanted items or goods that were no longer needed or used in the rest of the house, much like him.

           

One other change that took place in the household was the addition of boarders. The family began renting a room to three men. One night, while the boarders are eating dinner, Grete begins to practice the violin. While the family and the boarders gather to listen to Grete’s music, Gregor listens in and ventures out of his room to hear better. At first, he doesn’t want to be seen, but as he listens to the music, he cares less and less about being spotted and decides to venture out close to Grete to show his appreciation for her music. Gregor is inevitably noticed by one of the boarders, who promptly decide that they will be leaving the residence without paying for their room because the apartment is dirty.

           

After the boarders spot Gregor, Grete surprisingly announces that the family’s current situation shouldn’t have to continue. She believes that the family should move on and no longer accept the monster before them as Gregor, because Gregor would not have been such an inconvenience and menace, to which the rest of the family agrees, but they do not know what to do with the ‘monster.’ Gregor hears the family’s conversation and hurries back to his room where he wishes to remain safely.

           

The next morning, the cleaning woman enters Gregor’s room like she usually does, but this time finds Gregor lying still on the floor. When she realizes that the bug no longer responds to her prodding, she announces Gregor’s death to the entire family. The family rises from their rooms to verify the cleaning woman’s assertion. When they realize that the bug, Gregor, is no longer living, they take hold of their lives for the first time since Gregor’s transformation. The Samsas kick the boarders out of their home and make plans to move on with their lives. The three remaining family members leave their apartment, board the trolley, and happily come up with new plans for their respective futures, including a bright future in store for Grete. They quickly move on after Gregor’s death and forget that he even existed.