What type of relationship did Gregor Samsa have with his family?

In 's
, Gregor Samsa is a main character who loves and cares for his family,
simply because it is his place to do so. When Gregor's father loses his job, Gregor takes over
as the breadwinner for his household, and never resents his father or questions the fairness of
his situation, because as a loving son, this is his duty. He attempts to continue in this
responsibility even after he discovers he has been transformed into an insect.

Gregor is close with his sister Grete, and she is the one who becomes his caretaker
after his transformation. If this strange change had happened to her, rather than to Gregor, he
would have done the same for her, as any close family member would.

Gregor
does not, however, have an ideal relationship with his father. His father, whom he rarely refers
to by name, is distant and seems unkind. He has failed to provide for his family and shows no
sympathy for Gregor after the metamorphosis, instead becoming violent toward his son in several
instances. It may be said that in his behavior toward the "intruder," Gregor's father
is once again becoming the patriarch of the family, rescuing his innocent wife and daughter from
a hideous creature.

By the end of the novel, Gregor is no longer the provider
for his family, and consequently, each of the other family members have assumed their
"correct places" in the familial hierarchy, despite disregarding Gregor himself in the
process.