What metaphors are used in Poland by James A. Michener?

Some of the narrative can be seen as a metaphor for class structure. It was more or less rigid with little change in relative structure or position or relationships over the centuries. For the most part, there was a wealthy class and a peasant class without any middle class throughout most of Polish history. The formation of a middle class did not begin until the arrival of the Jews. They basically performed this function in Polish society.