A sacrificial lamb is a metaphorical reference that derives from Abrahamic traditions. It describes a person (or animal) that is sacrificed for the common good of a community. In <em>The Metamorphosis</em>, Gregor Samsa takes the place of a sacrificial lamb, both in his human form and his bug form.
Gregor's human life is completely dominated by the responsibilities he has towards his family. He is the breadwinner, and everything he earns he gives to them. He does not complain, as he has accepted that his life is meant to be sacrificed for the well-being of the family. Later on, when Samsa turns into a bug, he goes from being the breadwinner, to being a burden on them. Therefore, when he dies, the family is relieved the burden is gone. Once again (although more literally this time), his life is sacrificed so that the others members of the family can live theirs well.
