The Metamorphosis meme draws its inspiration from Franz Kafka’s 1915 novella, where the protagonist Gregor Samsa wakes up transformed into a 'monstrous vermin.' Online, this imagery is frequently used to symbolize the feeling of social alienation, the absurdity of the daily grind, or the literal experience of waking up feeling like a total mess. It gained traction among literary circles and student communities before evolving into a broader template for depicting sudden, unwanted changes or deep existential fatigue. The meme serves as a perfect visual metaphor for those moments when life feels surreal, bureaucratic, or just plain weird.