Final answer:
The clay views itself as insecure and shapeless at the beginning of the story 'A Handful of Clay.' The transformation process involves hand-modeling and firing in a kiln to provide durability and form, as practiced by historical cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes how the clay views itself at the beginning of the story A Handful of Clay is b) Insecure and shapeless. Clay, in its natural state, lacks form and structure, much like the clay's view of itself before the transformation process begins. The process of modeling clay requires patience and skill, reflecting a transformation over time, where the initially insecure and shapeless clay becomes a defined and purposeful creation. This transformation is mirrored in various cultures such as the Nok, who hand-modeled complex figures and fired them in a kiln to make them durable, and the Longshan, who utilized sophisticated potter's wheels and kilns for pottery manufacturing.