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“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
