Chapter 1
At dawn Gregor Samsa discovers that his body has become a monstrous verminous bug. He attempts repeatedly to roll onto his right side and to sit up, but his many thin legs move erratically, preventing him from achieving any comfortable position. His mother calls from the hallway, and after a strained reply Gregor finally manages to answer the door. His father and sister Grete also knock, expressing concern. The family is bewildered by his altered voice, which sounds both human and squeaky.
Soon the office manager arrives, demanding an explanation for Gregor’s failure to catch the early train. Gregor, unable to open the door, tries to climb out of the bed by rocking his body, but his attempts cause a loud thud. The manager’s presence heightens the family’s panic; the mother faints, the father wrestles with the manager, and Grete pleads for mercy.
Over the following weeks Grete becomes Gregor’s primary caretaker, bringing him food and cleaning his room. The father, increasingly hostile, eventually hurls apples at Gregor, one of which pierces his back and leaves a lasting wound. Gregor’s condition worsens; his legs become weaker, he loses appetite, and he spends most of his time hidden under the couch.
The family debates whether to keep the furniture in Gregor’s room; Grete pushes for its removal to give him space, while the mother fears abandoning him. Eventually the chest of drawers and desk are taken away, leaving a stark room.
Gregor’s health continues to decline. He is unable to move, reflects on his past life, and at three o’clock in the morning he breathes his last. The cleaning woman discovers his lifeless body, announces his death, and the parents, together with Grete, react with a mix of relief and sorrow.
In the aftermath the family decides to leave the large apartment, rent a smaller, cheaper one, and focus on rebuilding their lives. Grete, now grown, is seen as a potential bride, and the parents plan for a more stable future without Gregor’s burden.