Kafkaesque: The Life and Literature of Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka is one of the most iconic and influential authors in history, with his works considered classic pieces of literature. He’s been credited with inventing the term “Kafkaesque,” a word usually used to describe oppressive, nightmarish situations or seemingly nonsensical events. However, what many don’t understand is the literary genius behind Kafka’s unique works, how his life affected his writing. Here, we explore Kafka’s life, the origins of his “Kafkaesque” term, the characters and themes in his work, and his influence on later authors’ works.
Kafka’s Early Life
Franz Kafka was born on July 3, 1883 in Prague, which at the time was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a child, Kafka was a somewhat sickly child due to a variety of ailments, suffering from insomnia and depression throughout his life. He was raised in a middle-class Jewish family, where his father was a big, intimidating presence who instilled a sense of guilt and inadequacy in Kafka’s life. As such, Kafka always felt the pressure of inadequacy and was always striving for approval and acceptance.
Kafka’s Education and Professional Life
Kafka grew up in a very educated environment and received a law degree from Charles University in Prague. He began working in a workers’ compensation insurance office, but his heart wasn’t in it. He was unable to find full-time employment and instead took many odd jobs to make ends meet. Kafka often suffered from low self-esteem and feelings of ineffectiveness, which sometimes made it impossible for him to focus on his writing.
The Birth of a Literary Master
Despite his professional hardships and mental health struggles, Kafka managed to write his greatest works during this period of his life. His works were highly unique, incorporating elements of dreamscapes and strange, surreal themes. He was an early adopter of stream of consciousness writing, and his words often bordered on the poetic. He wrote stories about transformation and alienation, and often explored feelings of guilt, powerlessness, and absurdity.
The Meaning of “Kafkaesque”
The word “Kafkaesque” is often used to describe unfavorable and nightmarish experiences, though it actually comes from Kafka’s works. It often refers to situations in which the protagonist is powerless against their own struggle or the authority of another. It could also mean a confusing or nonsensical situation, or a sense of alienation from the rest of society. This can be seen in works such as “The Metamorphosis,” “The Trial,” and “The Castle.”
Kafka’s Characters and Themes
Kafka’s works often feature protagonists who are alienated from the world, powerless against oppressors and sometimes even unable to understand their own situation. He explores themes of alienation, self-doubt, paranoia, and absurdity. Kafka’s characters often discover themselves in absurd situations they’re powerless to escape and are unable to understand the mechanisms of the society they exist in.
Kafka’s Relationships
Kafka’s relationship with his father was often strained, and the two had quite a tumultuous relationship. Kafka’s Jewish identity and cultural heritage were both important to him, though he often felt like he didn’t fit in due to his struggles with depression and feelings of inadequacy.
Kafka had a few close relationships with women, though none of them lasted. He had an on-again off-again relationship with Felice Bauer, whom Kafka wrote about in his novel “The Trial”, and later had a romantic affair with Dora Diamant.
Kafka’s Influence on Literature
Kafka has had a major influence on literature, with his works being referenced in hundreds of later works. His works are often seen as inspiring similar works by later authors, such as Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil” and Jose Saramago’s “The Cave.” Kafka’s works have also been adapted into films, such as Steven Soderbergh’s “Kafka” and Orson Welles’ “The Trial.”
Franz Kafka was a complex, yet brilliant author whose works have had a major impact on the literary world. Despite Kafka’s struggles with depression, he managed to create some of the most iconic works of all time and is one of the most influential authors in history. His works were unique, dark and surreal, and explored themes of alienation, absurdity and powerlessness. He also introduced the term “Kafkaesque,” which is now used to refer to oppressive, nightmarish situations or seemingly nonsensical events.
