Gregor's life struggles are kinda the same as Walter form the t.v. show Breaking bad on AMC ( Sundays at 9) i think there are the same because Gregor really has no life he works all day than comes home and either sleeps or does his fretwork, and Walter all he did before he found out that he got cancer he just worked and helped his wife and son. I think this quote is saying that Gregor wants to keep the human inside of him alive even though the bug is taking over his mind and body. " Since he really did not know what to save first, then on the wall opposite, which was already otherwise cleared, he was struck by the picture of the lady with the fur."
I think that someone can live through the struggle even if he does not change back in to a human. All he would have to do is live outside and have his sister bring him old nasty food that they were going to throw out any ways.
