Interesting question! Each of the four characters of Franz Kafka’s novella The Metamorphosis experience dramatic changes in the story. Perhaps it will be most helpful to isolate each character to best examine how their transformations relate to themes surrounding change.
Gregor Samsa: The most jarring change that occurs in Kafka’s novella is Gregor’s sudden transformation from a traveling salesman into a, depending on translation, “gigantic insect” or “beetle.” Gregor’s thoughts as he processes his metamorphosis are revealing. Examine the excerpt below:
He would have to lie low and, by being patient and showing his family every possible consideration, help them bear the inconvenience which he simply had to cause them in his present condition.
Notice that his primary concern in the face of being transformed into a beetle is not the fact that he is now an insect! Gregor’s dominant worry is that he does not wish to drain family resources. Gregor quickly discovers that his metamorphosis has an upside: he is no longer burdened with the responsibility of working a job he hates to support his family.
This gets to the heart of your question about the theme of change. Gregor was not happy with his job or with his life. The only reason he persevered was to support his family, who cared not for his dreams but did care for his money. From Gregor’s perspective, his change into a beetle was not entirely disastrous. The fact that Gregor even enjoys being a beetle demonstrates just how miserable his existence had been before his metamorphosis. Gregor, like all of humanity, reacts to changes outside of his control with a mix of fear and anticipation.
Grete Samsa: Grete’s transformation is more gradual but only slightly less dramatic than Gregor’s. In the beginning, Grete hides behind the door and talks to Gregor because she is terrified to enter his room. At first, despite her fear, Grete is the only member of the family to truly care for Gregor by bringing him food and attempting to care for his wounds. However, as she increasingly shoulders responsibility, Grete grows from an unassuming girl into a confident woman who supports the family while simultaneously studying in the evenings. Simultaneously, her attitude to Gregor also changes for the worse. In the third part of the novella, Grete states:
I won't pronounce the name of my brother in front of this monster, and so all I say is: we have to try to get rid of it. We've done everything humanly possible to take care of it and to put up with it.
By the end of the plot, Grete callously refuses to call her brother by name. In many respects, Grete benefits from her brother’s sudden metamorphosis. She is a more independent and productive person. The fact that change, even positive change, often comes at a costly price and this is exemplified by Grete’s complex character transformation.
Mr. Samsa: At the beginning of the novella, Mr. Samsa is lazy, and stays at home relying on his son’s job to pay the bills. Due to Gregor’s mutation into a beetle, he is forced to return to work and becomes increasingly domineering and cruel. Mr. Samsa kills his son by throwing apples that lodge into his shell that festers, became infected. Mr. Samsa changes for the worse because he becomes increasingly suspicious of Gregor and progressively harsh. Perhaps his character illustrates that change is not always desirable.
Mrs. Samsa: The least dynamic character in Kafka’s novella is Gregor’s mother. Mrs. Samsa’s love for her son does not fade. She often defends Gregor and is the only one who seems to truly mourn his transformation into an insect. Nevertheless, her revulsion towards her son’s new form is insurmountable. In this sense, Mrs. Samsa’s lack of change is, perhaps a vice. Had Mrs. Samsa altered her views of her son and been more sympathetic, perhaps her son would still be alive.
I hope this helps!
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