Sigmund Freud, the father of psychology created a theory of personality called psychoanalysis, which attributes our thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts (Myers 504). In this theory, he describes three levels of the personality called the id, ego, and superego. Many literary works have these levels contained within them, if analyzed from a figurative psychological standpoint. One story that presented many similar traits from this viewpoint is Kafka's, The Metamorphosis. In this story the characters of Gregor and his family display many characteristics which pertain to Freud's psychoanalytic theory, specifically, the characteristics of the id, ego, and superego. Gregor's family consists of his father, mother, and younger sister. In addition, the story contains many symbols pertaining to Kafka self-image as well as his life.
             Gregor's father can be seen as consisting all the three levels of the personality theory when compared to the other characters, which he demonstrates in many instances. He represents the id, which is defined as seeking instant gratification and being oblivious to the outside world's condition and demands, by acting childish and not responding to his daughter's questions at the dinner table. For example, Kafka writes "His sister often asked her father if he wanted any beer... and when he did not answer, she said... she could also send the janitor's wife to get it, but then his father finally answered with a definite 'No,' and that was the end of that." (Kafka 2764) Also he shows the trait of having to be taken care of like a child would, by having his wife and daughter carry him to bed: "Not until the women lifted him up under his arms did he open his eyes... And leaning on the two women, he would get up laboriously, as if he were the greatest weight on himself, and let the women lead him to the door... while Gregor's...