Although Gregor did aid his family in a critical time of need, they hardly acknowledged this fact after his transformation. They never even tried to understand him. For the past five years, he provided for his family, and when he needed them, they did not care. They obligated him to do certain things. It makes them feel good, or worthwhile. If these responsibilities are not met or to the obligators own standards then guilt comes upon them. In The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka, Gregor's self-condemnation keeps him trapped. Gregor is enslaved to his family. Therefore Gregor's guilt emerges from the families' burden. .
Guilt can be from many different situations. Gregor's guilt was from his obligation to work. Even Gregor's mother, a bystander, could see his dedication to his job. Life without amusement becomes stressful and unpleasant. Throughout the novel Gregor finds himself stressed out because of his dissatisfaction with his ability to provide for his family. Gregor, finally near the end of the novel, finds satisfaction in something: his sister's violin. Guilt is deadly. Gregor's guilt actually leads him to his death. The stress built up from his guilt was part of his death. Because of the stress and guilt Gregor did not eat much. He became malnourished. Many tragedies have been written on the guilt of a person. In the tragedy the guilt kills them. Gregor dies the same way he lived, caring for his family. .
2. Corruption of the Family and Society Exposed in Metamorphosis Franz Kafka's existentialistic perspective on the meaning of life, is clearly portrayed through Gregor Samsa in Metamorphosis. Kafka's belief that there is no meaning to life or any reason to hold an optimistic outlook towards life is a dominant force in the story. The author is able to create conflict by portraying Gregor as being the complete opposite of his own personal beliefs: Kafka's almost paradoxical belief that, though there is no meaning to life, the individual can create one for himself, is entirely missed by Gregor.