In Kafka’s Court: The Real and the Surreal

Writing about Franz Kafka and his oeuvre requires considerable will and wit, akin to describing the Great Wall of China while standing next to it—baffling and awe-inspiring. Born in Prague, the third city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1883, Kafka harbored a deep love for his birthplace. Though he never married, he was engaged three times, twice to the same woman, Felice Bauer. Milena Jesenská, his girlfriend of four years, once wrote, "Kafka was shy, gentle, and kind, but he wrote gruesome and painful books. He saw the world as full of invisible demons, who tear apart and destroy defenseless people."

Kafka published only a few slim volumes during his lifetime. His first collection, "Meditation," appeared in 1912, followed by "The Stoker: A Fragment" in 1913, "The Metamorphosis" in 1915, and "The Judgment" in 1916. His most significant works, however, were published posthumously, including "The Trial," "Amerika," and "The Castle." Kafka had instructed his close friend Max Brod to destroy these unfinished manuscripts, but Brod ignored his wishes and published them instead.

Kafka’s works have left a profound impact on readers across the spectrum, influencing artists, composers, and philosophers. His relationship with Milena Jesenská was a deep and complex one. In a letter to her, he wrote, "One can tell you the truth like no one else, and one can tell you the truth both for one’s own sake and for yours; in fact, one can even discover one’s own truth directly through you." Their bond was so deep that Kafka entrusted Milena with all his diaries except the one he was still writing, referring to her as a principle, a light in the darkness.

In 1920, at 23, Milena published a Czech version of Kafka’s "The Stoker," sparking a rich exchange of letters, most written between April and November 1920. Despite their profound connection, they met only twice during this period. Later, as Kafka's health deteriorated, she relied on Max Brod for updates on his condition.

Kafka’s strained relationship with his father and his 1917 tuberculosis diagnosis marked significant crises in his life. His illness forced him to curtail his duties at the insurance company where he worked, and he frequently sought cures at various sanatoriums. In the spring of 1920, while in Merano, he penned the first surviving letters to Milena, marking the beginning of their intense correspondence.

Kafka's writing often evokes a sense of unease and surrealism. His works create worlds that feel both familiar and alien, where characters navigate absurd and often nightmarish situations. Themes of existential dread, bureaucracy, and alienation are prevalent, leaving readers with a lingering sense of discomfort and introspection. His ability to capture the complexities of human life and experience in a disorienting and thought-provoking manner makes his work uniquely impactful.

Haruki Murakami, a Japanese writer, cites Kafka as a significant influence on his writing. Murakami admires Kafka’s ability to meld the surreal with the mundane aspects of human existence. In interviews and essays, Murakami has praised Kafka’s unique narrative style and his capacity to create dreamlike, often unsettling atmospheres that leave lasting impressions on readers. Murakami’s novel "Kafka on the Shore" pays homage to Kafka, with the protagonist Kafka Tamura named after the influential writer. The novel embodies many Kafkaesque themes, reflecting Murakami’s admiration and inspiration.

Kafka's relatable and timeless works have provided refuge for many readers. His famous quote, "A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us," perfectly encapsulates his perspective on literature and art. Despite his fears and traumas, Kafka possessed a deep kindness. One touching anecdote tells of his encounter with a little girl in a park who had lost her doll. Kafka comforted her by writing letters from the doll, explaining her adventures.

Kafka died at 40, having lived much of his life apart from the mainstream. His ability to transform his rich, tumultuous pain into literature and essays is one of life's greatest graces. As we navigate a world fraught with uncertainty and absurdity, Kafka’s work remains a touchstone, reminding us of literature's enduring power to capture the essence of the human spirit.