When married life grows challenging for Ivan he spends more and more time at work, and when he ends up having to be at home he keeps a safe distance from his wife and family by inviting guests to join him. Ivan expects the world to be predictable, and as soon as something unexpected arises, he retreats. Much like his professional life, Ivan's personal life is reserved and detached. By shutting out his wife, family, and the rest of the world, Ivan manages to shut himself in. The isolation Ivan feels is in part self-inflicted. .
Economic livelihood and the importance of material possessions play a part in both of the stories. In Metamorphosis Gregor is almost enslaved by forces of materialism. By turning Gregor into an insect that can observe his family from a different perspective, Kafka can show man's preoccupation with financial security. Before his transformation, Gregor is miserable at work, but he cannot quit since he is the sole wage earner for the Samsa family. Nothing at work satisfies him, and his boss treats him unfairly. His selfish family does not appreciate the lengths he goes to for them. Unfortunately, Gregor does not have the courage to go out and find something better; he accepts his miserable existence in order to have financial security. The concept of money is also shown as important to the family when they take in the boarders to compensate for Gregor not providing for them anymore. They do whatever the boarders request, even turning Gregor's room into a catch-all for trash.
Money means something different in The Death of Ivan Ilyich. For Ivan, money makes him fit in. The Ilyich family bases itself upon the unsure foundation of wealth. As Ivan ascends the rungs of the corporate ladder, he acquires new possessions and articles. Ivan eats at "first class restaurant[s]." (1190) His clothes came from "the fashionable tailor." (1190) His things were "purchased at the best shops" (1190) to keep up appearances.