There is great importance as to whether a translator analyzes Mr. Samsa’s perception of his son Gregor as influenced by either Mr. Samsa's mood or his mental state. The two terms are widely different, yet they have been used interchangeably by translators of Kafka’s original German text. At the end of the first chapter of the novella, Mr. Samsa corners Gregor back into his room with no consideration for Gregor’s well being. He has disassociated Gregor with the creature in front of him. The Muir translation of the text describes the actions of Mr. Samsa as controlled by his "mood." On the other hand, the Johnston translation counters with “Naturally his father, in his present mental state had no idea of opening the other wing of the door a bit to create a suitable passage for Gregor to get through.” Johnston’s diction is more calculating and severe, while Muir implies more of a vacillating figure. Someone's mental state is more of how they think and act and feel on a long term basis. Your mental state has a heavy hand in the way someone approaches the world on a consistent basis. Moods are more subject to constant change. Moods can swing rapidly. The difference, while small, is important because the father is a major character in the novel as to what he represents. Kafka drew much inspiration from his own father when writing Mr. Samsa. Any and every word puts the father in a certain light.