irony and franz kafka

“we are in a world defined by kafka when we feel powerless in front of…”

authority figures (especially fathers)

“we are in kafka’s orbit when we’re…”

ashamed of our bodies (killed or squashed without mercy)

when and where was he born

prague 1883

describe kafka’s father

psychological abuser — terrifying

how did kafka grow up?

timid, bookish, weak and full of self-hatred

what kind of jobs did he work?

wanted to be a writer but worked at a lawyer’s and insurance company’s office

what tormented him

the strength of his sex drive (cuz he couldnt pull girls)— cant form relationships

what is a major key in understanding kafka

to fathom the relationship with his father

what did he write in 1919, how long was it

47 page letter to his dad trying to explain his effect on him

what did he write to his father that he needed

encouragement and friendship

what did he father do when he asked for a glass of water

leaves him outside on the balcony in his nightshirt and left him to freeze for the night

what did his mother do with the letter

she returned it and said his father wouldnt want to read it

what does the father say in “the judgement” for his son to do and what does the son do in response

to death by drowning, so the son plunges into a nearby river

what is the metamorphosis about

a story of self-disgust and how his family dehumanizes him

what happened to him in 1924

he contracted laryngeal tuberculosis which prevented him from eating foods comfortably

what was the reason for fasting in “the hunger artist”

shows how he couldn’t find any food — arbitrary punishments

where is he buried

jewish cemetery in prague — days after finishing hunger artist

what happened to his family

gassed in holocaust

“a book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us”

books are supposed to reconnect us with feelings that we dont want to study but need our attention

irony

contrast between what’s expected versus what happens

verbal irony

saying one thing but meaning another—sarcasm

situational irony

when something happens but is opposite of expected— romeo and juliet

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something the characters dont (builds tension)—romeo and juliet