After Gregor is fatally wounded by his father’s apple attack and dies of starvation, the reader no longer sees the events of the story from his perspective. It’s interesting to note that while Gregor is alive, his parents are referred to as “Gregor’s mother” and “Gregor’s father.” However, after his death, the narrator starts referring to them as “Mrs. Samsa” and “Mr. Samsa,” perhaps to symbolize that Gregor is not only dead but also forgotten. Without Gregor, there’s a renewed zest for life and hopefulness in the family. They start looking forward to the future and dreaming again. For example, all three of them are finally able to find and maintain jobs that hold “particularly good promise for the future.” Mr. and Mrs. Samsa start noticing Grete and her youthfulness. They notice how she’s growing livelier and more beautiful as the days pass. The story ends on a hopeful note for the Samsa family, with the two parents thinking about their daughter’s marriage, which opens up a world of new beginnings and possibilities.
Kafka might have chosen to include this section after Gregor dies to demonstrate how the entire family was overly reliant on Gregor for their well-being and livelihood. After his death, they’re able to go out in the world and make independent names and livelihoods for themselves. In a way, his death sets them free from the crippling trap of dependency.
There are marked changes in the tone and mood of the story after Gregor’s death. In contrast to the bleak, tense atmosphere of most of the story, images of spring and sunshine appear at the end of the story. This shift restores a sense of normalcy and suggests a sense of optimism.
