Between both stories, I enjoyed “The Metamorphosis” the best. On some level I think it touches on humanity quite a bit, in the sense of how people tend to treat each other when things get difficult and complicated. There are times in life when something defining can happen to a person: an illness, loss of a family member, financial hardships, and it’s in these moments when a person may see who is truly supportive and understanding in their life. It’s heartbreaking when those that you have given your support and understanding to fail to reciprocate in return.
The passage that stood out to me is the following:
“One day, about a month after Gregor’s transformation when his sister no longer had any particular reason to be shocked at his appearance, she came into the room a little earlier than usual and found him still staring out the window, motionless, and just where he would be most horrible. In itself, his sister’s not coming into the room would have been no surprise for Gregor as it would have been difficult for her to immediately open the window while he was still there, but not only did she not come in, she went straight back and closed the door behind her, a stranger would have thought he had threatened her and tried to bite her. Gregor went straight to hide himself under the couch, of course, but he had to wait until midday before his sister came back and she seemed much more uneasy than usual. It made him realise that she still found his appearance unbearable and would continue to do so, she probably even had to overcome the urge to flee when she saw the little bit of him that protruded from under the couch. One day, in order to spare her even this sight, he spent four hours carrying the bedsheet over to the couch on his back and arranged it so that he was completely covered and his sister would not be able to see him even if she bent down. If she did not think this sheet was necessary then all she had to do was take it off again, as it was clear enough that it was no pleasure for Gregor to cut himself off so completely. She left the sheet where it was. Gregor even thought he glimpsed a look of gratitude one time when he carefully looked out from under the sheet to see how his sister liked the new arrangement.
I think this passage is so reflective of how Gregor is still willing to give when he is receiving so little. He spent four hours moving the sheet to put it on top of himself to spare his sister the uncomfortableness of looking at him. He is still doing for his family and looking out for what what make them more comfortable. He not only provided for them financially, but he is still providing the comfort from unpleasantness. All his sister had to do was take the sheet off. She must have known that not only was the sheet uncomfortable to have on top of him, but also, that in removing the sheet it would have provided the kindness of acceptance and comfort. Even that small act was too much for her to grant him.
