Though The Metamorphosis's protagonist is Gregor Samsa, the title also applies to Grete Samsa, Gregor's younger sister. Right after his transformation, Grete takes it upon herself to clean his room and feed him. With time, however, she loses interest and is caught up with her own life. In the end, Grete, the only family member with whom Gregor was intimate with, is also the one to declare that the family must get rid of him. .
Before the metamorphosis, Gregor and Grete were wonderfully close, confiding everything in one another. Grete was content with being supported by her brother and Gregor has plans to earn enough money to send her to a music conservatory. After Gregor's change, Grete initially accepts him and is astonishingly supportive and thoughtful. Perhaps, she still bears the hope that Gregor could be human again. Grete is the one brings him food twice a day. She worries about what he might like to eat so she brings him a "wide assortment of things" (24), and observes what he has actually eaten so she can plan future meals for him. She would also open the door slowly and tiptoe her way into Gregor's room, not wanting to disturb or frighten Gregor. In addition, having observed that Gregor has moved his armchair in order to look out the window, Grete "push[es] the chair back to the same place by the window each time she [has] finished cleaning the room, and from then on she even [leaves] the inside casement of the window open" (29) for Gregor to see out. After Gregor's metamorphosis, Grete attempts to care for Gregor in the same way he used to care for her. .
During the course of taking care of Gregor, Grete has gained a lot of confidence. Before Gregor's transformation, Mr. and Mrs. Samsa "had frequently been annoyed with [Grete] because she had struck them as being a little useless" (31). Now they would often say how much they appreciated her work. This praising causes Grete to feel important and grown up, which she has never felt before.
