Glatzer, philosopher Albert Camus once said that "the whole of Kafka's art consists in compelling the reader to re-read him," and since the interpretations of Kafka are many, this inevitably leads to a return to the story itself "in the hope of finding guidance from within" (35). This internal "guidance" is related to many elements of fiction, such as metaphor, characterization, plot and theme, yet with a single reading of Kafka's The Metamorphosis, written during late November and early December of 1912 and published in October of 1915, one can easily recognize that the use of symbolism is the dominant trait and "guidance" for the reader, due to Kafka's extraordinary ability to transcend reality and create a world that could only exist in the realms of the supernatural or the human subconscious mind.

             Essayist Eliseo Vivas in "Kafka's Distorted Mask," points out that Kafka's use of artistic symbols, i.e. symbolic metaphors, are similar in nature to masks which act as shields from reality. "The light which rests on the distorted mask" is Truth, but "the mask on which it shines. . . is distorted" by Truth or, in Kafka's case, symbolism (Gray, 143). Thus, in The Metamorphosis, symbolism runs rampant and can be sensed in many of the character's traits, personalities and actions as well as in the descriptions related to plot scenes and physical objects.

             In the very first paragraph of The Metamorphosis, Kafka relates that Gregor Samsa, the main protagonist in the tale, "awoke one morning" and "found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect" with an "armoured-plated back. . . (a) domelike brown belly divided into stiff arch segments. . ." and "numerous legs. . . pitifully thin" which "waved helplessly before his eyes" (89). Robbie Batson views the symbolism in this description as being biographical in nature, for instead of referring to the theme, Kafka is symbolizing certain aspects of his personal life and in doing so, "leaves a simple story that stands only for an objective view of his own thoughts and dreams" with a focus upon "a single character that symbolizes himself and his life.