Which passage from the metamorphosis best illustrates the novella’s message about the pain of alienation? if gregor had only been able to speak to his sister and her for everything that she had to do for him, he would have tolerated her service more easily. as it was, he suffered under it. now, gregor could do without the chest of drawers if need be, but the writing desk really had to stay. and scarcely had the women left the room with the chest of drawers, groaning as they pushed it, when gregor stuck his head out from under the sofa to take a look how he could intervene cautiously and with as much consideration as possible. already he was starting to suffer from a shortage of breath, just as in his earlier days when his lungs had been quite unreliable. . at that moment something or other thrown casually flew down close by and rolled in front of him. it was an apple. immediately a second one flew after it. gregor stood still in fright. "now," said gregor, well aware that he was the only one who had kept his composure. "i'll get dressed right away, pack up the collection of samples, and set off. you see, mr. manager, i am not pig-headed, and i am happy to work."