The Metamorphosis

The Metamorphosis first published in 1915 is the most famous of Kafka's works along with The Trial and The Castle. The story begins when a traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Curiously his condition does not arouse surprise in his family who merely despise it as an impending burden. As with all of Kafka's works The Metamorphosis is open to a wide range of interpretations. Most obvious are themes relating to society's treatment of those who are different the loneliness of isolation and the absurdity of the human condition.