The Metamorphosis Transformation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph). We used Stanley Corngold's translation.

Quote #7

[…] after such excursions, tired to death and sad, he did not budge again for hours. (3.9)

In the beginning of Part 3, references to Gregor as almost dead or dying recur as if to signal that yet another, more final change is in store for Gregor (see Quote #8 below, for example). The frequency of these references are kind of ironic because, when we get to Gregor's actual death, we're not told exactly how he dies (See Quote #10 below).

Quote #8

"Look how these roomers are gorging themselves, and I'm dying!" (3.11)

Here we have another reference to Gregor as "dying." The passage draws a contrast between the human roomers and Gregor in order to ask the reader whether it's OK to maintain human life over an insect's, even if the insect is your erstwhile son/brother.

Quote #9

[H]e too was completely covered with dust; he dragged around with him on his back and along his sides fluff and hairs and scraps of food; his indifference to everything was much too deep for him to have gotten on his back and scrubbed himself clean on the rug (3.13)

In contrast to Part 1, where he could still feel a little thrill of well-being when he discovered some new aspect of his body, in Part 3 Gregor just seems defeated. He presents in this passage a particularly pathetic image.