Gregor Samsa – Gregor works as a traveling salesman. Despite the fact that Gregor hates his job, he continues working as a traveling salesman in order to support his family as well as pay off his father’s debt. Additionally he is provided with a sense of pride by working because he supports his family and has provided them with a comfortable life. One morning Gregor wakes up and finds that he has been transformed into a giant insect. Morphing into an insect provides Gregor with a way to escape his job and his life that he was so unhappy with. However, Gregor does not find any happiness in his new life. Although he hated his job, he feels badly that he can no longer support his family especially because he is now more of a burden to his family. Gregor transformed physically into an insect but mentally and emotionally was left as a human. This causes major conflict for Gregor because he struggles human emotions but life as a insect does not lend itself to human wants, needs and emotions.

Grete – Grete is Gregor’s sister. She was a talented musician and Gregor wanted to send her to a music conservatory so she could study. Prior to Gregor’s transformation she is devoted to him and is dependent upon him. Once Gregor transforms, she is the first person to care for Gregor and take on all the responsibilities that caring for Gregor entails. However, she is not necessarily motivated by unconditional love. In a sense she feels some sort of obligation to caring for Gregor. On many instances it is apparent that she is uncomfortable around him, which is shown when Gregor puts a sheet over himself so she does not have to see him when she enters his room. Over time her interest in taking care of Gregor lessens. Ironically enough she is the first family member that suggests that the family should get rid of Gregor. She matures throughout the course of the novel and this maturation is shown when she suggests getting rid of Gregor because she realizes the uselessness of the situation and that Gregor will never transform back into a human.

Gregor’s Father – He comes across as a lazy man. He no longer works and his son is the breadwinner of the family, which completely emasculates him. He is completely repulsed by Gregor once Gregor transforms into an insect. He does not necessarily trust Gregor and gets very defensive when Gregor comes out of his room. This is exhibited when Gregor’s father throws things at him when Gregor comes out of his room. Gregor’s inability to work causes his father to have to go back to work and actually provide for his family. This gives Gregor’s father his purpose and masculinity back.

Gregor’s Mother – She wants to be able to be around Gregor and show him that she cares and loves him however she faints when she sees Gregor. Her propensity to faint upon seeing Gregor does not help Gregor and makes him feel worse about himself and feel like more of a problem to his family. She is the one who saves Gregor from his father when his father throws apples at Gregor. Mrs. Samsa is soft spoken and her opinions and feelings are never really expressed fully because her husband’s personality and temper overpowers her.

Chief Clerk – He is Gregor’s boss. He shows up to Gregor’s apartment when Gregor does not show up for work. He knows that he can treat Gregor poorly because Gregor needs the job badly and Gregor’s father owes him money.