Gregor Samsa Interview

Michael Parkinson’s interview with Gregor Samsa

1. What changes have you noticed to yourself after this absurd metamorphosis?

Aside from the additional legs and the body of an insect, I have begun to like different things. My caring sister left me a bowl of my previous favorite drink, milk; however I now find the taste repulsive. I prefer more expired food with a slight mold while I crawl around my room. I enjoy staying in the darkness under my sofa.

2. How has your family reacted to the transformation?

Despite being an insect for a while now, my family still cannot stand my appearance. They begin to associate my new looks with bad intentions. Although I want to interact with my family, they still find me revolting so I thoughtfully hide under the couch when Grete enters the room. Frankly I am not sure why I turned into an insect, it’s not like I was living in bad faith or anything. I was simply dedicating my life to work so my family can have money. All I know now is I have to come up with a way to get back to work to support my family.

3. Since you claim to have spent so much time working, do you find it strange you were living a life with no other purpose than to be a salesman?

That’s absurd, the reason I became a traveling salesman in the first place was to free my family from their debt. I would go to work and follow my boss’s orders exactly as he stated without giving my own opinion. Every day I would return to work and follow exactly the same routine in order to ensure I would be able to support my family.

4. What do you believe your sister’s reasoning was to remove the furniture in your room?

Grete has been the sole member of my family to enter my room and care for me. Therefore I believe her intentions were to provide a more suitable environment for me to live. She has been giving me food and cleaning my room for a long time now. Recently her motivation appears to have shifted and she is acting like caring for me is a...