Symbolism in "Metamorphosis"
             "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" (chapter 1). How odd! A story where a salesman mysteriously wakes up and finds himself transformed into a large bug. Why? How? There has to be some explanation to why this story contained such strange elements. Gregor's transformation was much too peculiar of an incident not to stand for something, symbolically. Kafka used tons of symbols when writing this book. Some of which, were from aspects of his personal life. Symbolism adds texture and depth to the story, while genuinely making it more fun and readable. In this paper, I will divulge the greater meaning that lies within the "Metamorphosis."
             Why a bug? Gregor could have been transformed into any creature imaginable, but Kafka chose to make him a dune bug. A bug symbolizes insignificance. Gregor was pretty much insignificant in the eyes of his family, except for the fact that he brought home the money to his ungrateful relatives. Other than that, he was of absolutely no use to the household. The bug that Gregor becomes also symbolizes Gregor's unhuman-like, boring lifestyle. "...since during his five years' employment he had not been ill once" (chapter 1). Gregor had the same basic routine everyday. His job and life were very dull. His life consisted of no spontaneity or amusement. Kafka shows us that if Gregor had to be an animal, any animal, he would best be represented by a boring, insignificant dune bug.
             Or maybe Gregor was made into this creature because, like a bug, Gregor was isolated, alienated, and oppressed by his family. "His numerous legs, which were pitifully thin compared to the rest of his bulk, waved helplessly before his eyes" (chapter 1). Did the fact that Gregor was a traveling salesman have anything to do with why he was t...