In a modern world...

In a modern world, reliable authoritys do exist, but only if the authority thinks only for the better of the world and the people in it. In Metamorphosis, Gregor's boss thinks only of the company, so when Gregor doesn't show up for work one day, he comes to Gregor's house to see why he is not there. If Gregor's boss cared not only for the company, but also for it's employees, then he would be a reliable "authority", however, he does not and he is concidered "unreliable." Reliability is based on the good for all, not just for one person or thing. A reliable authority works for the better of all things and punishes only when it is for the best. This kind of authority can exist if people can work together for the better of the world.

Metamorphosis and the Big Question

My big question relates to Metamorphosis because Gregor is never really free from his family. Although he is a young man and has the means to live by himself and be "free" from his family, he feels as though he must stay with his family and resolve all of their problems. Gregor does not receive the freedom that most teenagers look forward to when they graduate and is stuck to fix his parents mistakes. The freedom that he seeks is not free, he must work until he can pay off his family's debt, and then he will be free to do as he wants. Of course, this freedom never comes for him, as he turns into a bug as cannot work any longer.