Franz Kafka "The Trial"
Franz Kafka's possibly unfinished novel, "The Trial," is one of the great mysteries of modernist literature. It was at once an astute, even prescient critique of modern power structures as well as a novel that does not quite make sense from a literary perspective. Left on the shelf by Kafka in 1915, the book was published in 1925 during the tense interwar period, which was, not coincidentally, the heyday of Modernist literature. Like most Modernist writers, Kafka used his art to express his sense of alienation and powerlessness in an increasingly hostile, meaningless, and dehumanized world. Thesis: "The Trial" is a critique of the bureaucratized nature of power in modern society and its effect on the modern individual's will. K.'s attempts to understand the purpose of the power structure persecuting him are frustrated because the power structure has no actual meaning or purpose, existing instead for the…...

Franz Kafka: The Metamorphosis
In The Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka tells the story of Gregor Samsa, who transforms into a hideous insect-like creature. Gregor was a traveling salesman before he changed into the creature, and one day he wakes to find the transformation has taken place during the night (Kafka 13). Throughout the rest of the novella, Gregor deals with the changes that have taken place and attempts to adjust to what has happened to him. His sister and his parents find his new form repulsive, and he also attempts to deal with being shunned by them. He cannot help what he has become, and having those who once loved him turn away simply because of his appearance is difficult for Gregor to accept.

He spends most of his time listening through the walls of his bedroom as his family talks, and he hides under his furniture when his sister, Grete, comes to…...

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Works Cited

Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis and Other Stories. New York: Dover Publications. 1996. Print.

His mother Julie Kafka belonged to one of the leading families in the German-speaking, German-cultured Jewish circles of Prague. (Franz Kafka 1883-1924) His relationship with this father was not good and "...Hermann Kafka was a domestic tyrant, who directed his anger against his son." (Franz Kafka 1883-1924) There are many of his stories which can be related to the antagonism and conflict between father and son. This conflict is often translated into scenes where there is a "...scorned individual's pleading innocence in front of remote figures of authority."
Franz Kafka 1883-1924) Kafka's home life was therefore filled with tension and this was also compounded by the fact that he a member of the Jewish minority. " Kafka grew up in an atmosphere of familial tensions and social rejection that he experienced as a member of Prague's Jewish minority." (Franz Kafka 1883-1924)

Kafka was also alienated in many other ways in his…...

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Works Cited

Existentialism. 10 March 2007.  http://www.answers.com/topic/existentialism 

Existentialism and Franz Kafka. 10 March 2007.  http://www.dividingline.com/private/Philosophy/Philosophers/Kafka/kafka.shtml 

Franz Kafka. 10 March 2007.  http://www.answers.com/topic/franz-kafka 

Franz Kafka and his Metamorphosis. 10 March 2007. http://wotan.liu.edu/~sanderson/kafka/page2.html

And yet in his personal life despite the anguish he wrote about so eloquently he enjoyed modern novelties such as the cinema, aeroplanes, and motor-cycles. He went swimming and followed the vogue for nudism. He had his fair share of sexual affairs, and he complemented those with visits to brothels (Johnson, 2005).
Doubts about his work caused Kafka before his death to ask that all of his unpublished manuscripts be destroyed. His friend, Max Brod, ignored his instructions. Brod published the novels the Trial, the Castle, and Amerika in 1925, 1926, and 1927, and a collection of shorter pieces, the Great all of China, in 1931. These early works by Kafka as Description of a Struggle and Meditation are thought to be original in a characteristic way, even though their style is more concretely imaged and their structure more incoherent than that of the later works. The characters in these…...

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Works Cited

Franz Kafka. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 26 May 2010.

Janouch, Gustav. Conversations with Kafka: Notes and Reminiscences. New York: Frederick a.

Praeger, 1953

Johnson, Roy. 2005. Franz Kafka: an illustrated life. Mantex. Web. 26 May 2010.

After some initial shock, the family simply accepts him as a somewhat unorthodox and reclusive member of the family.
In terms of the meaningless, Gregor's adjustment and life as an insect is described in grim and often somewhat graphic detail. His family's interactions with him evolve according to his new status as insect, and are similarly described with great attention, as if it an important plot element. This can be compared with Marquez's detailed descriptions of Erendira's servitude, where both her cleaning and her sexual slavery are described in painstaking, but emotionless detail.

Death in Kafka's novel can be contrasted with Erendira's grandmother's death scene. Her death is violent and described in great detail, although the narrator's objectivity is retained throughout the violence. In Gregor's case, he simply and quietly dies, to be discovered by the cleaning woman the morning after the event. There is no death bed scene, and the…...

Alienation in Kafka
Franz Kafka published one of his famous works, "The Metamorphosis," in 1915. Gregor Samsa is the principal character in the story. Samsa is the character whose metamorphosis is the primary subject of the story. The story is not a happy one. One of the primary themes upon which the story meditates is alienation. The paper will examine and explore the instances of alienation in "The Metamorphosis." Gregor Samsa experiences alienation before and after he transforms into a very large insect; it is only after his transformation that the others around him notice him and his alienation.

Gregor Samsa is miserable in his career as a salesman. He does not have much privacy because he has a room in an apartment occupied by his parents and sister. Gregor's supervisor is an unpleasant and disagreeable man who does not favor Gregor. One morning, Gregor awakes in his bed in his room…...

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References:

Kafka, Franz. "The Metamorphosis." The Project Guttenberg, 2012, Web, Available from:   2013 March 20.http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5200/5200-h/5200-h.htm .

Kohzadi, Hamedreza, Azizmohammadi, Fatemeh, & Nouri, Mahboubeh. "A Study of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Journal of Basic Applied Science Research, 2(2), 1600 -- 1607. 2012. 2013 March 20.

Provan, Alexander. "An Alienation Artist: Kafka and His Critics." The Nation, Web, Available from:   2013 March 20.http://www.thenation.com/article/alienation-artist-kafka-and-his-critics# .

Gregor's change definitely represents anger from many different angles. Perhaps Gregor's anger is the most defensible in that his family has not undergone the most horrific changes imaginable. Gregor is justifies for feeling frustrated because he took care of his family for so long. His "rage at the way they were neglecting him" (768) deserves merit. Sheldon Goldfarb maintains, "Gregor's transformation has a double meaning: it is both an escape from his oppressive life and a representation or even an intensification of it" (Goldfarb). This is true because Gregor was not happy as a man and even more unhappy as a bug. His rage was probably more internal than many consider.
The theme of personal identity is extremely significant to this story in that Gregor was not happy with who he was before his change. He completely loses that identity and faces an even worse identity crisis as a bug.…...

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Works Cited

Ben-Ephraim, Gavriel. "Making and breaking meaning: deconstruction, four-level allegory and 'The Metamorphosis.'" Midwest Quarterly 35. 1994. GALE Resource Database. Site Accessed May 26, 2008.  http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com 

Goldfarb, Sheldon. "Critical Essay on 'The Metamorphosis.' Short Stories for Students. 2001. GALE Resource Database. Site Accessed May 26, 2008.

Kafka writes, "Gregor's father and mother certainly did not want him to starve either, but perhaps it would have been more than they could stand to have any more experience of his feeding than being told about it" (Kafka). The reality is, they are frightened of their son, and cannot bring themselves to accept what he has become, perhaps out of their own guilt for how they have treated him in the past. They take him for granted, and that is a sad reality.
In conclusion, the story ends, "Just from each other's glance and almost without knowing it they agreed that it would soon be time to find a good man for her. and, as if in confirmation of their new dreams and good intentions, as soon as they reached their destination Grete was the first to get up and stretch out her young body" (Kafka). This proves how…...

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References

Kafka, Franz. "The Metamorphosis." Gutenberg.com. 2008. 11 Dec. 2008.  http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5200/5200-h/5200-h.htm

Symbolism of the 'Self' in Franz Kafka's "The Metamorphosis"
In the domain of modern literature, particularly in 20th century literature, Franz Kafka ranks as one of the most revolutionary writer, who used the techniques of expressionism and symbolism to discuss the theme of the "Self" of an individual and his/her integration in the society.

Franz Kafka's experience as a writer had been influenced by his experiences in his family life and as he grew up, contemplating how the individual finds it hard to integrate himself/herself in the society. Kafka was born to Hermann and Julie Kafka on July 3, 1883 in Prague. His family was Czech-Jewish in nationality, and he was educated at the University of Prague, where he studied law. Although he kept a civil service post as a job, Kafka most often writes novels and short stories. Indeed, writing is his passion, and the only medium through which he can…...

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Bibliography

Brod, M. (1960). Franz Kafka: A Biography. (2nd ed). New York: Schocken Books.

Emrich, W. (Ed.). (1968). Franz Kafka: A critical study of his writings. New York: Frederick Ungar Pub. Co.

Kafka, F. (1972). Franz Kafka: The Complete Stories. N. Glatzer (Ed.). New York: Schocken Books.

Thorlby, A. (1972). The Judgment. In Franz Kafka: A Collection of Criticism. L. Hamalian (Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co.

The novel is interspersed with instances of irony and pure sarcasm and cynicism and there is hardly a light moment in this entire story. There are various ways in which the transformation can be interpreted. But Samsa being a misfit dominates all other interpretations. Samsa lacks a much-needed sense of belonging, which is one reason, why he is unable to develop positive healthy relationships with people around him. His attitude drives him away from people whom he views as materialistic and unloving, "casual acquaintances that are always new and never become intimate friends" (Kafka, 120). It is very important to understand that there are two ways in which this transformation can be viewed i.e. from the standpoint of the 'OTHERS' or from the perspective of the central character. In either case, we would notice that the main reason why Gregor has changed forms was because of his inability to…...

Gradually, Gregor discovers how unimportant he really is to the family, and how little they really care about him. He has given them his love and devotion, and they repay him by locking him away when he needs them the most.
Kafka uses the plot to show the increasing disinterest of Gregor's family, and how they have used him for the last five years. His father has grown "fat and sluggish," his mother relied on the servants (that he paid for), and his sister did nothing much at all. He worked like a dog to keep the family together, and in thanks, they lock him away in his room when he becomes an embarrassment. Kafka uses this plot device to add information about the family, all the while showing Gregor's sweet disposition. Gregor's life is meaningless and empty, but he does not blame them for any of it. Instead, he…...

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References

Bloom, Harold, ed. Franz Kafka's 'The Metamorphosis.' New York: Chelsea House, 1988.

Kafka, Franz. Selected Short Stories of Franz Kafka. Trans. Willa Muir and Edwin Muir. New York: Modern Library, 1952.

Olsen, Eric. "The Labyrinth Within: Franz Kafka and the Predicament of Modern Man." World and I, Volume: 19, Issue: 6, June 2004.

Kafka's Trial
"Here there is no why"

Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz.

Attempting to determine what Franz Kafka really meant in any of his stories is a difficult undertaking, given the absurdity and irrationality of the situations he describes and characters that do not seem to function or react as 'normal' human beings. This is especially true in his unfinished novel The Trial, where the young and successful bank executive Joseph K. is arrested and put on trial without charges and for no apparent reason, then taken out and murdered a year later. He never knows why all of this is happening to him, and perhaps Kafka's main point is that there is no 'why'; there is no reason for any of it, and indeed the characters and society he portrays are not acting in a rational manner. Like Primo Levi in Auschwitz, who was thirsty and broke off an icicle outside the…...

Gregor is unable to eat fresh food, now, although his delight in eating is just as strong, if not stronger than before.
Still, food, and the consumption of food, now socially isolates Gregor from his family, unlike the emotional connections that food once provided. His sister even discards the fresh foods that Gregor rejected, and he must hide after he eats, so as not to frighten his food provider. Gregor's sensitivity to his sister is underlined in this gesture towards her temperament. Rather than try to connect with his sister, he must isolate himself from her -- although this was true of Gregor before, as to 'earn' her love, he had to earn money to works, so that she could remain idle.

Still, because she provides his food, Gregor's sister sustains the most meaningful connection with her brother that could be described as human: "Gregor sometimes caught a comment which was…...

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Works Cited

Kafka, Franz. "The Metamorphosis." 1919. Translated by Ian Johnston. Released to the Public domain in e-text form in October 2003. [23 Oct 2006]

http://www.mala.bc.ca/~Johnstoi/stories/kafka-E.htm

And a lot of this has to do with real epithets that were used against Jews at that time on the streets. Someone would see a Jew and say, 'You dirty dog', or 'You're nothing more than a cockroach', or something like that. For Kafka, this became a kind of literal condemnation which he accepted into himself. OK. 'You point a finger at me and call me a dog, the next thing I have to write is a story about a dog,' in which a dog has human qualities; or he transforms himself into a cockroach. A lot of this has to do with the anti-Semitism that was absolutely rampant all around him at the time." (Radio National)
As noted, by having experienced Kafka's work first hand prior to reading Mairowitz's version, I believe that Introducing Kafka turned out to be very delightful for the main reason that the reader…...

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Works Cited

Franz Kafka (1883-1924). Retrieved on 12 June 2005, from http://kafka.dzite.com/.

Mairowitz, David Zane, and Robert Crumb. Introducing Kafka. Cambridge: Icon Books, 2000.

Radio National. Franz Kafka. Ed. ABC.NET. 11/21/99. Retrieved on 12 June 2005, from http://www.abc.net.au/rn/relig/enc/stories/s70778.htm.

Kafka

KAFKA'S METAMORPHOSIS
THE USE of SYMOLISM in FRANZ KAFKA'S

"THE METAMORPHOSIS"

According to Nahum N. Glatzer, philosopher Albert Camus once said that "the whole of Kafka's art consists in compelling the reader to re-read him," and since the interpretations of Kafka are many, this inevitably leads to a return to the story itself "in the hope of finding guidance from within" (35). This internal "guidance" is related to many elements of fiction, such as metaphor, characterization, plot and theme, yet with a single reading of Kafka's the Metamorphosis, written during late November and early December of 1912 and published in October of 1915, one can easily recognize that the use of symbolism is the dominant trait and "guidance" for the reader, due to Kafka's extraordinary ability to transcend reality and create a world that could only exist in the realms of the supernatural or the human subconscious mind.

Essayist Eliseo Vivas in "Kafka's Distorted…...

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Batson, Robbie. "Kafka/Samsa: Reality Through Symbolism." The Kafka Project. Internet. 2005. Accessed September 20, 2005.  Http://www.kafka.org/ index.php?id=203, 225, 0,0,1,0.

Glatzer, Nahum N., Ed. Parables and Paradoxes. New York: Random House, 1958.

Gray, Ronald D., Ed. Kafka: A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1962.

Kafka, Franz. The Complete Stories. Ed. Nahum N. Glatzer. New York: Schocken Books, 1971.

The Art of Captivating Titles

In the realm of good writing, a title is more than just a label; it is a captivating first impression that can entice readers to delve into the depths of your work. A truly memorable title has the power to resonate with an audience, spark curiosity, and set the tone for the journey that lies ahead. Crafting such a title requires a delicate balance of intrigue, brevity, and relevance to the content. Here are the key elements that contribute to the allure of a captivating title:

1. Enigmatic Allure

Titles that hint at a deeper meaning or....

1. The weight of the adult world pressed down on me like an anvil, its complexities and burdens weighing heavily on my youthful shoulders.

2. As the veil of childhood lifted, I was greeted not by the promised paradise but by a labyrinth of responsibilities and disillusionments.

3. The transition into adulthood was akin to navigating a treacherous river, the currents of reality threatening to sweep me away.

4. Like a chrysalis struggling to emerge from its cocoon, I wrestled with the growing pains of shedding my youthful innocence and embracing the complexities of the adult world.

5. The bittersweet pangs of maturation gnawed....