A Less Literal Metamorphosis
In addition to the literal reading where Gregor Samsa one day turns into a monstrous insect, I think that a more metaphorical reading can also be done. Looking at it from this perspective, The Metamorphosis is the story of a overworked businessman who one day suffers a breakdown and becomes a complete shut-in, who becomes a burden to his family and eventually dies alone, unmourned. At the start, Gregor is under rather a lot of pressure. He is the breadwinner of the family, not only putting food on the table but bailing out the family's debt. Despite this, the rest of the family does not help him at all with this. He is also under a great deal of pressure from his job. We spoke about how insanely controlling his job and bosses are, from the boss who physically lords over his employees, to how missing a train is enough to send the chief clerk to Gregor's house, to the debt Gregor's father owes, to the chief clerk himself. The chief clerk is controlling and manipulative,