Gregor’s job as a traveling salesman, selling fabric samples, is a massive part of his life pre-metamorphosis. His job provides a medium for Kafka’s thematic topics. Gregor loathed his job. Almost immediately after waking up Gregor recalls about how much he despises his job. He thinks, “what a strenuous profession I’ve chosen! Traveling day in and day out...I’m subjected to this torment of traveling, to the worries about train connections, the bad meals, the irregular hours”(11-12). The word format of a list emphasizes all of Gregor’s issues with his current occupation. The two things needed to further human life is food, and sleep. Gregor dislikes the food he consumes, the hours he works, and the work he does. Nearly every aspect of his life
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Gregor also despises his boss, because he is controlling and has unrealistic expectations of his employees. Gregor demonstrates his boss's attitude through his boss’s habit of, “sitting on his desk and talking down to his employees from above” (12). The language in this quote reveals the boss physically makes himself above his employes. The boss is literally and figuratively looking down on his workers. This displays an abuse of power from the boss that is unnecessary. He keeps his employee’s in fear for personal enjoyment. This can also be seen in how Gregor is paying off his father’s debt, another authoritative figure. Gregor has been so dedicated to his job, even with so many surrounding complications with it. Gregor is trying to logically figure out how to go about avoiding work for the day. He considers calling in sick, but remembers, “during his five years’ employment Gregor had not been ill even once” (12). Gregor’s persistence can be seen extremely clearly. To not miss a day for five years indicates dedication. Without free time, Gregor most likely doesn’t have friends. The social interaction, while traveling for his job, consists of, “an intercourse with people that constantly changes, never lasts, never becomes cordial”
Gregor also despises his boss, because he is controlling and has unrealistic expectations of his employees. Gregor demonstrates his boss's attitude through his boss’s habit of, “sitting on his desk and talking down to his employees from above” (12). The language in this quote reveals the boss physically makes himself above his employes. The boss is literally and figuratively looking down on his workers. This displays an abuse of power from the boss that is unnecessary. He keeps his employee’s in fear for personal enjoyment. This can also be seen in how Gregor is paying off his father’s debt, another authoritative figure. Gregor has been so dedicated to his job, even with so many surrounding complications with it. Gregor is trying to logically figure out how to go about avoiding work for the day. He considers calling in sick, but remembers, “during his five years’ employment Gregor had not been ill even once” (12). Gregor’s persistence can be seen extremely clearly. To not miss a day for five years indicates dedication. Without free time, Gregor most likely doesn’t have friends. The social interaction, while traveling for his job, consists of, “an intercourse with people that constantly changes, never lasts, never becomes cordial”