Gregor a Sacrifice?

Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis was originally written in German. Over the past hundred years, the novella has been translated to multiple languages. While purposefully written with vague language concerning the actual creature that Gregor is transformed into, in translations he frequently is described and illustrated as a cockroach or beetle. The actual German word used in reference to Gregor loosely translates to an animal unfit for sacrifice. The description could be seen as ironic as Gregor dies at the end of the story. However, for there to actually be irony Gregor’s death would actually have to be a sacrifice rather than just a consequence of being an insect. An example of Kafka’s admiration for existentialism, Gregor is transformed because his complete and utter lack of meaning in his own life. Looking at Gregor as a sacrifice requires looking at the meaning of his parents’ and sister’s lives. Gregor is what keeps the family functioning. He is the sole breadwinner of the family. Gregor’s transformation and eventual death was a wake up call for the family. They were forced to start working instead of just lounging around all day. By the end of the novella, the parents are happy and financially secure and it appears as if Grete is now “marriageable.” Ignoring the fact that Gregor is dead, it appears that the story has a happy ending. So is Gregor a sacrifice? Was his death required for the family to get back on its feet and happy again? While rather dark and twisted, Gregor does seem to go against his description as not worthy of sacrifice. But then again, Gregor could simply be a commentary on the human condition – we live a hard and meaningless life and then we die unsatisfied.