Born into a middle-class Czech-Jewish family in Prague, Franz Kafka was a German-language novelist and writer who delved into themes of alienation, existential anxiety, guilt, and absurdity. Kafka is widely regarded as one of the significant figures of 20th-century literature.
In his writings, Kafka wrote hundreds of letters to family and close friends, including his father, with whom he had a strained and complex relationship. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, he died at the age of 40. Today, the 3rd of July commemorates his birthday.
A Glance at Kafka’s Mind: Here are top five quotes by Franz Kafka
1. “I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself.”
2. “People label themselves with all sorts of adjectives. I can only pronounce myself as ‘nauseatingly miserable beyond repair’.”
3.”I never wish to be easily defined. I’d rather float over other people’s minds as something strictly fluid and non-perceivable; more like a transparent, paradoxically iridescent creature rather than an actual person.”
4. “Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.”
5. “By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it. The nonexistent is whatever we have not sufficiently desired.”
Kafka was known for his introverted nature and had deep sensitivity, introspection, and a huge sense of alienation from the societal norms and power structures.
Top Famous Books by Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis : The Metamorphosis is Franz Kafka’s most famous work published in 1915. It follows the story of Gregor Samsa, a traveling salesman who turns into a giant insect one day.
Opening Lines from the book are, “As Gregory Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.”
This novella explores the themes of alienation, physical and emotional isolation, family dynamics, existential anxiety, and absurdity of life and human condition.
The Trial: Published posthumously in 1925, The Trial tells a story of Josef K., who finds himself arrested and prosecuted one morning, without the knowledge of the crime he has committed. Considered to be a masterpiece of the 20th century, ‘The Trial’ is a powerful critique of bureaucracy, power structures and authority.
Opening Lines from The Trial: “Someone must have been telling lies about Josef K.,he knew he had done nothing wrong but, one morning, he was arrested.”
Franz Kafka, in his book ‘The Trial’ expanded on the themes of modern bureaucratic absurdity, alienation, and societal oppression through its narrative.
Letters to Milena: A collection of letters written from Franz Kafka to Milena Jesenká, a Czech journalist and a writer, between 1920-1923.
Opening lines from the book: “My dear Milena, You are right. It is right that you have corrected me. I could not be madder than I am without you.”
This book explores themes of love, longing, existential struggles, loneliness, and isolation. Kafka’s writings addressed to Milena Jesenká are raw and confessional.
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