Franz Kafka

Kafka-sisters

Prague Palace Kinsky PC

Na Porici 7, Prague

Felice Bauer and Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka 1910

Franz Kafka (3 July 1883 – 3 June 1924) was a Bohemian novelist and short-story writer, widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature. His work fuses elements of realism and the fantastic. It typically features isolated protagonists facing bizarre or surrealistic predicaments and incomprehensible socio-bureaucratic powers. Kafka is known for exploring themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity. His best-known works include "Die Verwandlung" ("The Metamorphosis"), "Der Process" ("The Trial"), and "Das Schloss" ("The Castle").

Biography

Franz Kafka was born into a middle-class, German-speaking Jewish family in Prague, the capital of the Kingdom of Bohemia, then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now in the Czech Republic. He was the eldest of six children. Kafka's father, Hermann Kafka, was a domineering figure, which had a significant influence on Kafka's writing and personality. Kafka studied law at the Charles University of Prague. After completing his education, he was employed with various insurance and workers' compensation companies, which gave him the time to write.

Kafka never married, though he was engaged several times. His complex relationships with his family and his fiancées often influenced his work. Kafka suffered from various health issues throughout his life, including tuberculosis, which ultimately led to his death at the age of 40.

Literary Work

Kafka's writing is renowned for its precise, clear language and attention to detail. His narratives often delve into the psyche of his characters as they navigate through a world that is both familiar and bizarre. Kafka's influence on the genre of existential literature is profound, with his depiction of characters who are burdened by the inexplicable complexities of life and an indifferent universe.

Major Works

• "Die Verwandlung" ("The Metamorphosis") (1915) – This novella tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. The story explores themes of isolation, guilt, and the absurdity of life.
• "Der Process" ("The Trial") (1925, posthumously published) – A novel about a man named Josef K. who is arrested and prosecuted by a remote, inaccessible authority, with the nature of his crime revealed neither to him nor the reader.
• "Das Schloss" ("The Castle") (1926, posthumously published) – This novel follows the protagonist, known only as K., in his attempts to gain access to the mysterious authorities of a castle who govern the village for unknown reasons.

Legacy

Kafka's work has had a lasting impact on the field of literature and beyond, influencing a wide range of writers, artists, and philosophers. His term "Kafkaesque" has entered the English lexicon, referring to situations that are absurdly complex, bizarre, or illogical. Despite the fact that Kafka instructed his friend and literary executor, Max Brod, to destroy his unpublished manuscripts, Brod ignored these wishes and published them instead, which led to Kafka's posthumous fame.

Kafka's unique literary voice and his profound exploration of the human condition continue to resonate with readers and scholars. His work remains a subject of extensive analysis and interpretation, contributing to various fields of study including literature, philosophy, law, and psychology.