Written in 1912, The Metamorphosis was first published in 1915. ?When Gregor Samsa woke up one morning morning from unsettling dreams, he found himself changed in his bed into a monstrous vermin.? With these startlingly bizzare opening lines, Kafka begins his masterpiece?one of the most influential works of twentieth century fiction. The novella tells the story of traveling salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes up one morning only to find himself transformed into an insect. It subsequently details Samsa?s struggles to adapt to his new condition, as well as his family?s reaction to his ?metamorphosis?.