The dominant theme in Kafka’s novels is the hero’s deeply distressing drawback in situations demanding to choose between personal gratification and professional duty. Several events in Kafka’s life are reflected in his writing. For example, in ‘The Country Doctor’, the physician does not intervene strongly enough even when the groom proceeds to have brutal sexual intercourse with Rose. This attitude is reflected in many of Kafka’s works. Men extended their domination over women, frequently treating them as their personal property. In the end, Josef fails to obtain an acquittal for his mysterious crime from the faulty court system “that was grounded from its very beginnings in secrecy” (Kafka, 1999, p.117) and “dies like a dog” (Kafka, 1999, p.231).Īn important characteristic of the totalitarian society during those days was that it was male-dominated. Although Josef continues to steadfastly profess his innocence, the never-ending investigations of court officials keep going on and on. Like Kafka’s other story characters, punishment is inflicted on Josef K. A respected bank official is arrested one day just because “someone must have slandered him” (Kafka, 1999, p.3). ‘Trial’ reflects the persecution of people particularly well. ‘Trial’ is charged with brooding suspicion, worry and persecution that also reflect the restrictive living conditions of the Bohemian people during Kafka’s lifetime. ‘Metamorphosis’ is steeped in remarkable high anxiety of psychological, sociological and existential nature that is a direct reflection of the angst prevalent among the people those days. In ‘The Castle,’ the mysterious castle that dominates and controls the village represents the totalitarian society that controls the life of the common Bohemian people. In general, Kafka’s writings reflect the intense fears of dehumanization, tediously frustrating bureaucrats and stifling oppression by a totalitarian society that was the hallmark of his time. It is no wonder, therefore, that he is frequently called ‘psychoanalytical Kafka’. He uses his narratives to forge a three-dimensional connection with his readers: emotional, psychological and physical. Between 19, writers adapted their style, using their narratives as a means of putting forward general and symbolic expressions.Īlthough he wrote in German, Kafka follows the style of contemporary Czech writers by projecting general and symbolic expressions in his writing. Novel writers portrayed the deplorable living conditions of the common Bohemian people, and analyzed the dissatisfaction and frustration of life during their time. Its revival began in 1848 when writers cultivated the style of self-expression, first in poetry, then short stories and finally in novels. The normal growth of literature ground to a halt for over 200 years after 1620. In the process, Bohemia was badly destroyed, economically exploited, and Bohemians were forcibly converted to Catholicism. The long-drawn political and religious struggle between the Catholics and Protestants ended in victory for the former in 1620. Kafka’s writing was predominantly influenced by two factors – the environment of the time and place in which he lived, and the events in his personal life. ‘Metamorphosis’ is arguably the best among his short stories, while the only 3 novels he wrote are ‘The Trial,’ ‘The Castle’ and ‘Amerika.’ Although all of Kafka’s writings are in German, he grew up, studied, worked and wrote in Bohemian Prague, the place in which his grave presently lies. His writings are characterized by frighteningly complex and weird, yet ludicrous plots. Franz Kafka,, was a Czech-born, German-speaking author of short stories and novels.
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