“If I didn’t have to hold my hand because of my parents I’d have given notice long ago, I’d have gone to the chief and told him exactly what I think of him” [Part 1 paragraph 5] The hand that Gregor is referring to in this quote is a hand of cards.
People speak boldly but act indifferently
“What a fate, to be condemned to work for a firm where the smallest omission at once gave rise to the gravest suspicion! Were all employees in a body nothing but scoundrels, was there not among them one single loyal devoted man who, had he wasted only an hour or so of the firm’s time in a morning, was so tormented by conscience as to be driven out of his mind and actually incapable of leaving his bed?” [Part I paragraph 15] It is ironic that at this point in …show more content…
Gregor has only slept in a couple hours late. This singular offense has summoned another employee to his home because all employees are “scoundrels” and it is more important that they be beguiled into work than be healthy or get the work done themselves. The man sent to Gregor house could have just as easily been working to earn the company money. Both Gregor’s lack of concern at his being a bug and the companies extreme concern for an hour of lost work represent the theme of absurdity in society. Mole hills are often made into mountains while the real problems are neglected. At this moment, Gregor’s bug problem should be the foremost concern of both his family and employer.
“Once during the long evening one of the side doors was opened a little and quickly shut again, later the other side door too; someone had apparently wanted to come in and then thought better of it... In the early morning when the doors were locked, they had all wanted to come in, now that he had opened one door and the other had apparently been opened during the day, no one came in.”[Part II paragraph