In biological terms, a metamorphosis means “the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct phases” (Oxford dictionary). Animals must undergo this event in order to develop physically and reach full maturity. This phenomenon that provides animals with the ability to survive in the wild is also shown in Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis; a salesman named Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Throughout the book, Gregor's metamorphosis leads to many different changes in the family as they experience their own metamorphosis and become stronger. Although Gregor's metamorphosis may seem as if it has caused his family much suffering, it has provided him and his family with the opportunity to pursue new lives. As the Samsa family members struggle to deal with the new situation of Gregor's metamorphosis, Gregor's sister Grete particularly feels a lot of sympathy and begins to establish her role as caretaker. Of all the characters, Grete has the most interaction with Gregor. For example, in the early days of his metamorphosis, he feeds Gregor milk, assuming that his preference for milk would remain the same as when he was a human. When he notices that Gregor's food preferences have changed, he brings him "a whole assortment of foodstuffs, all explained in an old newspaper" (Kafka 57). As a result, through the routine of caring for Gregor, he matures physically and mentally. Furthermore, since Gregor can no longer work, she takes a job as a shop assistant to help the family with their financial problems (Kafka 87). As he begins to support his family and learns to hire an adult... middle of paper... salesman with dentures. It had radically changed the lives of every member of the Samsa family. From the routine of caring for Gregor, Grete had grown into a responsible and mature woman. Because Gregor could not work, the Samsa family learned that he was physically stronger than they expected, and Gregor gained independence from his job and the responsibility of being a financial provider. Gregor's metamorphosis was necessary because it offered his family the opportunity to embark on a new life. Gregor may have suffered and died as a result of the metamorphosis, but the last lines of the story give hope for a new, fresh life that awaits the Samsa family: “And when they arrived at their destination, it seemed to them almost a confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions when their young daughter quickly jumped up and stretched her young body” (Kafka 118).