1. I think it takes a while for Gregor to realize he cannot function as a human in the body of an insect. In this way, I think he “first learns to appreciate” his feelers as gifts for how he can live in the least harmful way as a cockroach. When he wonders to himself later if he is less sensitive now, I think he wonders that in terms of being less sensitive to pain, now that his armor has grown back and he knows how to move around and use his body to protect himself. In short, I think the turning point for Gregor is him finding ways to use his body and not let it become an obstruction. This is Gregor accepting his metamorphoses.

2. Gregor clings to the picture on the wall because he is literally clinging to his past. His sister, Grete, comes in and tries to move all his furniture, thinking it would be easier for him to crawl around the floor and walls if it were gone. Gregor likes the furniture because it reminds him of when he was normal, but he can't do anything about the fact that his sister and mother are removing it. In an attempt to do something, he climbs the wall and clings to the picture so his sister cannot remove it. Ironically, he displays obvious bug-like characteristics in order to cling to his human past.

3. Parallels:

a. The picture of the lady in furs

b. Grete’s persistence in taking care of Gregor

4. Contrasts:

a. Gregor’s father becoming the money maker now

b. Gregor’s acceptance of his new body and utilization of it such as his feelers, legs, and sticky pads.