In Franz Kafka's short story, The Metamorphosis, the opening scene introduces some major themes of his work. Gregor Samsa, the protagonist, is inexplicably transformed into an oversized insect. Readers can assume that alienation and identity are some rising themes in the story due to the transformation.

The alienation of Gregor is seen as a disease that eventually engulfs him. Gregor's last name "Samsa," (Kafka, 64) introduced in the beginning, is defined as "alone I am" foreshadowing Gregor's isolation with his family and the world around him. After his transformation, Gregor's family could not adapt to his sudden change in appearance. Gregor's mother "clasped at his father" (Kafka, 74) while his father "clenched his fist with a menacing expression." (Kafka, 74) Even Gregor's sister, Grete, would "sweep up not only the remains of what he had eaten, but also the food which he had not even touched," (Kafka, 82) and Grete would "hardly...