The Metamorphosis, perhaps Franz Kafka's most widely read work, is the story of a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who wakes one morning to find he has been transformed into a ""gigantic insect."" This new Bloom's Guide provides the ideal introduction to this symbolic tale, which has many interpretations. Pointing students to essential analyses, its critical extracts cover distinct elements of Kafka's novella, offering a variety of viewpoints. Additional features answer questions about the author, characters, and the story's main points, and direct readers to further reading, with comments on the significance of each source.