Question #9: At the beginning of chapter 3, how would you describe Gregor’s physical state? What has Gregor become to the family (42)?

Question #10: Why is it noteworthy that Herr refuses to take off his uniform (43)? How could the uniform be symbolic of his and the family’s character? Why might the overly polished buttons and how he sleeps wearing it “in discomfort but at peace” be significant?

Question #11: Gregor comes to a realization after the family concludes that they aren’t able to move because of Gregor’s state, which he thinks is a deflection as they could “easily have transported him in a suitable box with a few holes in for air” (44) What is really holding the family back from changing their situation or moving (45)?

Question #12: Gregor, now, spends most of his days dwelling on his thoughts—almost without sleep. He notes that these people all seem to vanish from his mind, but “afterwards he was not at all in the mood to worry about his family; he was simply full of rage at how badly they looked after him. And though he couldn’t imagine anything he might enjoy eating, he still made plans about getting into the larder, even if he wasn’t hungry, to take what was his rightful due anyway” (45-46). How has Gregor changed? What might he have realized?