THE THEME OF HUMAN DEFENSELESSNESS IN THE FACE OF THE SURROUNDING WORLD IN F. KAFKA'S WORKS
Keywords:
Franz Kafka, Human Defenselessness, BureaucracyAbstract
Franz Kafka is renowned for his exploration of the human condition in a modern, bureaucratic world where individuals find themselves powerless and overwhelmed by incomprehensible systems. This article delves into Kafka's portrayal of human defenselessness in the face of external, often irrational forces. Through detailed analysis of his seminal works, such as The Trial, The Castle, and The Metamorphosis, we examine how Kafka uses surreal situations, ambiguous authority figures, and existential symbolism to convey the helplessness and vulnerability of his characters. Kafka's depiction of human defenselessness provides profound insights into the fragility of individual agency in a world governed by faceless systems.
References
Kafka, F. (1925). The Trial. London: Schocken Books.
Kafka, F. (1915). The Metamorphosis. New York: Penguin Classics.
Kafka, F. (1926). The Castle. London: Vintage Classics.
Bloom, H. (1994). Modern Critical Interpretations: Franz Kafka. Chelsea House.
Gray, R. (2012). Kafka’s Narratives and the Burden of Defenselessness. Cambridge University Press.
Sokel, W. H. (1985). Franz Kafka: Trauma, Power, and the Impersonal Bureaucracy. Yale University Press.
Brod, M. (1963). Franz Kafka: A Biography. New York: Schocken Books.
