Six Legs on a Plantation Many readers may find this short story, the “Metamorphosis” written by Franz Kafka, a bit of a drag. There isn’t any suspense, a love story involved, and definitely no action hero that ends up saving the world. None of these genres apply to Kafka’s depressing roach tale. In fact I really don’t know what category to place this story under, although I will say this story is universal, a story that can be read and understood by many different cultures across all countries. I care less about the status one claims, this story is easy for anyone to relate to once you understand the message Kafka tries to get across. Kafka writes to those who are slaves to their job, and to the very ones you are willing to die for (literally). In this story Kafka suggests that alienation from everyone and everything that keeps your reason for existence, will one day have you waking up as a cockroach. Kafka further compliments this theme with the use of well thought out symbolisms that work well with each situation the main character, Gregor Samsa and his family confronts. Without the use of these symbolisms to bring thought and meaning to the story, Gregor is nothing more than a freak accident. Gregor is a slave to his position as a traveling salesman in a business world. In his business world there is the head of the firm, and the small “roaches” amongst him. Gregor does not see himself as one of the respected working alongside the head of the firm, but rather sees himself as a disgusting cockroach, which is the “vermin” he turns into the morning of his first and last late day for work. Kafka picks the perfect symbol to use for Gregors “metamorphosis.” Gregor sees himself as this small, disgusting being, intolerable by his parents, sister and by the manager that stops by the morning he doesn’t show up for work. Gregors family only tolerate him, and why wouldn’t they, he’s the only one that works in the house and the reason why their families debt slowly gets paid off. Gregor isn’t just a cockroach, more like a slave cockroach. As for the manager, he doesn’t even recognize that Gregor has never missed or been late a day for work the whole five years working for them. Gregor is such a committed employee and member of the family that he even works when he should be resting, having a social life or at least having breakfast with the other employees who are doing just that, I mean even he has to eat right? But hes just a small being that doesn’t get to choose where he works, or how he spends his life. Gregor has every reason to feel over stressed and pressured. One other symbol only recently brought to my attention, are Kafka’s use of doors. This is such an important symbol Kafka uses in the story I can’t believe I didn’t even acknowledge it. Did you know that something as simple as a door could have so many meanings? It’s the one thing, besides the wall itself that separates you, or invites and welcomes you in or out. Doors are closed, doors are open, doors are slammed, and doors are cracked, as they are in Gregors short roach lived life. Gregor closes and locks his door in the beginning of his transformed state to completely shut his family