According to many Modernists, Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis," embodies several distinct characteristics of early 20th century life. Uncertainty, alienation, and despair comprise these various features and are clearly reflected through the character and experiences of Gregor Samsa.
             Opening the story, Gregor is plagued with a relentless sense of uncertainty that will remain with him until his death. One uncertainty Gregor encounters is of a physical nature and comes about through his bizarre metamorphosis. Awaking one morning from uneasy dreams, Gregor is unaware of the complete transformation he has undergone. His body, now in the form of a gigantic insect, makes him unrecognizable, even to himself. Demonstrated in his first encounter with the world outside his bedroom, Gregor is completely oblivious to the vastness of his transformation. Gregor's failure to realize that his voice has changed as well as his appearance is seen through his conversation with his mother and her and the chief clerk's peculiar reactions. His overall uncertainty is also seen in his thought processes throughout his intense struggle to get out of bed. Not desiring to awaken, Gregor considers the exhaustiveness of his job. The fact that he does not immediately realize he is significantly late to work reflects the overall confused state he is encountering. Also his conversation with his mom and the chief clerk further show the irrationality of his thoughts. Perhaps the underlying element behind his transformation is the uncertainty regarding his own personal identity. Throughout the story, Gregor struggles to rebuild the self-identity that he had lost by living entirely for others and ignoring his own needs. Gregor is unable to escape what he sees as his family duty and continues to sacrifice and serve only his family. As a result, Gregor's metamorphosis and the resulting manner in which his family treats him cause Gregor's extreme alienation...